Gynaecologist’s Likud ‘monkey’ comparison sparks political firestorm

A prominent Israeli gynaecologist has sparked outrage after comparing Likud voters to different types of monkeys, drawing swift condemnation from across the political spectrum. The inflammatory remarks were posted online and quickly went viral, reigniting concerns about increasingly dehumanising language in Israeli public discourse.

MK Katy Shtraiti of the Likud party was among those to respond immediately, attacking the doctor for the comparison whilst warning of the broader dangers posed by such inflammatory rhetoric. “This kind of violent language in our society is deeply troubling,” Shtraiti said, emphasising the need for urgent cultural change.

Shtraiti used the incident to call for fundamental reforms in Israel’s education system, arguing that schools must place greater emphasis on fostering positive values and protecting children’s wellbeing. “Our education system needs deep and meaningful change, with a focus on values and the souls of our children,” she stated, suggesting that such inflammatory speech reflected wider societal divisions that begin in schools.

The exchange reflects the intense polarisation that has characterised Israeli politics in recent years, with public figures regularly trading barbs and resorting to increasingly crude forms of criticism. Civil society groups have repeatedly warned that such language risks normalising dehumanisation and eroding the possibility of constructive political dialogue.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.