Ofakim Voting Remarks by Israeli Anchor Spark Intense Political Backlash
Israeli anchor Danny Kushmaro's remarks questioning Ofakim residents' voting patterns after the October 7 massacre have sparked a fierce political and media backlash, drawing sharp criticism from Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli and public figures.
A storm has erupted in Israeli media and political circles following remarks by news anchor Danny Kushmaro on the "Ulpan Shishi" program, where he questioned the voting patterns of residents in the Mishor HaGafen neighborhood of Ofakim. In this neighborhood, which suffered heavy losses with 33 residents murdered during the October 7 massacre, approximately 65% voted for the right-wing bloc, sparking sharp reactions from public figures and social media users.
Among the prominent respondents was Nissim Hamoui, father of the late Ella Hamoui who was murdered at the Nova festival, who sharply criticized the remarks: "It seems Danny Kushmaro is implying that the residents of Sderot are not rational creatures. Otherwise, how can one explain that they dared to vote for Likud even after the October 7 massacre?".
Media personality and "HaPatriotim" panelist Yotam Zumri also mocked the elitist attitude in the television studios, posting a sharp response: "How dare these primitives vote differently from what they drilled into their brains for three years. I wonder if they will do the same report on people in the envelope who continued to vote for parties that have been blathering for years that peace is possible."
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli launched a harsh and unprecedented frontal attack against the news anchor: "Hello to one of the greatest narcissists on Israeli television screen, the man who in his own eyes is a combination of Chuck Norris, Schumacher, James Dean, and Jon Bon Jovi - Yair Lapid Premium."
Chikli accused Kushmaro of broadcasting biased polls regarding the periphery residents and defended the voters in the southern city: "In the HaGafen neighborhood of Ofakim live heroes and proud Jews with healthy common sense who understand the complex reality very well. They remember well which camp sought withdrawals and surrender in Lebanon and Gaza in the past, and they will never vote for those who sought surrender."
