Army Radio apologizes for anti-Orthodox statements

In satirical bit on the eve of Independence Day, talk show host and guest said that Haredim ‘taste awful,’ stink from Matzah balls

Israel’s Army Radio apologized for airing offensive statements about ultra-Orthodox Jews on the eve of Independence Day.

In a satirical bit on the station’s late night program, comedian Niv Majar recommended controlling overpopulation through cannibalism.

“We should go ahead and depopulate,” Majar said. “But there’s a paradox here because the people whose population I would like most to reduce are the Haredim, but they probably taste awful, bland.”

Army Radio host Noa Tzinman interjected, “They stink because they eat Matzah balls.”

On Friday, Army Radio released a statement which said the station “rejects offensive statements that were made about the Haredi public on Independence Day eve by a guest interviewee.”

The statements were “inappropriate and represent neither the station’s views nor its staff.” Army Radio apologized to anyone offended by the statements.

The statements, which come amid a heated debate in Israeli society on conscription of Haredi Jews into the Israel Defense Forces — Army Radio’s owner and operator – triggered protests online and at the radio station.

Earlier this week, activists for the lobby group Dosim showed at Army Radio’s Jaffa headquarters and handed out matzah balls to soldiers.