Will an anti-Mizrahi slur upend Israel’s election again? Don’t expect history to repeat itself

During an Israeli election campaign, a pro-Netanyahu pundit used an anti-Mizrahi slur by calling Gadi Eisenkot a "monkey." This incident has drawn historical comparisons to the 1981 Israeli election, when an entertainer's derisive remarks about right-wing "hooligans" ultimately galvanized support and aided Menachem Begin's political campaign.

Despite the historical parallel, analysts note that contemporary Israeli politics differ significantly from the past. The current political landscape is far more fragmented, and the 24-hour news cycle moves at a much faster pace, suggesting that the recent slur is unlikely to replicate the profound electoral impact seen in 1981.