TV Host Assi Azar Faces Political Chants From Travelers on Cyprus Shuttle
TV host Assi Azar faced political chants from travelers on a shuttle bus in Cyprus ahead of Israel's elections, maintaining composure during the tense incident.
Assi Azar, one of Israel's most prominent television hosts and creators over the past two decades, found himself at the center of a political confrontation while returning from a family vacation in Cyprus. Known for leading prime-time hits such as "Rising Star" and "Ninja Israel," as well as sharing his family life with his husband, Spanish architect Albert Escala, and their two children, Azar faced a tense encounter on a shuttle bus at Larnaca Airport.
As passengers boarded the plane back to Israel, a group of travelers recognized the TV personality and began chanting pro-government slogans, shouting "Bibi is the King of Israel," according to reports by Pnai Plus. One passenger reportedly pointed him out, calling out to the bus, "Guys, look at the only Kaplanist on the bus," referencing the anti-government protest movement.
Despite the provocative atmosphere, Azar maintained his composure and a calm smile, defusing the situation by lightheartedly asking one of the chanters if he was actually drunk. The passenger humorously replied that they had been drinking wine throughout the trip, effectively easing the tension. Representatives for Azar chose not to issue an official comment on the incident, which highlights the deep societal and political divisions accompanying Israelis even during private family travels ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.
