Presenter Galit Gutman caused a stir Friday morning on the broadcast of Keshet 12's morning show, which she co-hosts with Yoav Limor, when she said: "The ultra-Orthodox suck our blood," referring to the protest demonstration in Bnei Brak this week.
"How much of a burden can you put on a third of this country in order to hold all these haredim who suck our blood," Gutman said during the broadcast.
One of the panelists and strategic advisor and candidate for mayor of Ashdod, Barak Serry, said: "This is a very difficult statement. We wouldn't want to say things like that about another public." Gutman refused to back down.
"That's reality," she insisted. "There is a new government here that milks its residents. It's enough to sit here and pretend."
Many attacked Gutman for his outrageous statement. Media personality and screenwriter Manny Asayag tweeted: "Auto-anti-Semitism is really thin. They can ask the terrible Galit Gutman. Bring a bag of vomit before watching, and then share as much as possible, so that as many Jews as possible understand what terrible communication we have here in Jewish Israel."
Auto-anti-Semitism is really thin.
They can ask the terrible Galit Gutman.
Bring a bag of vomit before watching, and then share as much as possible so that as many Jews as possible understand what terrible communication we have here in Jewish Israel. pic.twitter.com/4RScrUNR0q
— Menny Assyag (@mennyassyag) May 19, 2023
Likud MK Kati Shitrit tweeted: "Galit Gutman's anti-Semitic remarks make me feel sorry for her. Only a person who does not understand the historical and cultural connection can utter the phrase 'sucking our blood' to believing Jews. That's what someone full of baseless hatred sounds like who has disconnected from her roots."
Galit Gutman's anti-Semitic remarks make me feel sorry for her.
Only a person who does not understand the historical and cultural connection can utter the phrase "sucking our blood" to believing Jews.
That's what someone full of baseless hatred sounds like who has broken away from her roots.
My ultra-Orthodox brothers, the Israeli media unfortunately backs and encourages... pic.twitter.com/lbTYYKfKtn
— Keti Shitrit Kati Shitrit (@shitrit_keti) May 19, 2023
Chairman of Torah Judaism, Minister of Construction and Housing, Rabbi Yitzhak Goldknopf, said: "If the sickening statement made by a live presenter on a major channel is passed in silence by the channel's management, it shows that the money of my ultra-Orthodox brothers has been allowed publicly. I ask my colleagues in the Knesset and the government to condemn these remarks. We protest and condemn the despicable incitement."
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon responded to Gutman's remarks: "I heard with shock the harsh statements against the ultra-Orthodox public. I condemn these statements and they have no place in the Jewish state. The ultra-Orthodox public contributes a lot to the State of Israel, whether it is voluntary, charitable organizations, increasing integration into the labor market."
I heard with shock the harsh statements against the haredi public.
I condemn these statements and they have no place in the Jewish state.
The ultra-Orthodox public contributes a lot to the State of Israel, whether it is voluntary, charitable organizations, increasing integration into the labor market.
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— Moshe Leon (@MosheLion) May 19, 2023
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