Netanyahu rants against smartphones
In a photo op, PM accuses young generation of being ‘slaves’ to gadgets and cameras
Adiv Sterman is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is having trouble adjusting to this generation’s obsession with picture taking and photo sharing.
During a photo shoot prior to an interview session with the foreign press last week, the prime minister waxed nostalgic, lamenting in a Louis C.K.-esque manner over the failure to live in the moment among today’s selfie-crazed society.
“What do you get out of all these pictures?” Netanyahu can be seen asking an unseen cameraman in a video uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday.
“I mean, what exactly do you do with it?”
Netanyahu is answered that the photographers seek the best picture, but apparently that reply does not satisfy him.
“OK, so what? What do you do with it?”
Netanyahu is then told that many of the photos are used for “behind-the-scenes footage,” to which the prime minister simply replies “boring.”
The Israeli leader goes on to criticize society at large and reflects on the fact that excessive photography has come to replace actual living.
“I don’t understand this new world,” Netanyahu complains.
“When do they have time to live? They’re taking pictures all the time.”
The prime minister then raises his hands, clicking on an imaginary camera.
“Only taking pictures, that’s all they do. Pictures, pictures, pictures.”
Another unseen voice then tells Netanyahu that “if you did not take a picture, it’s as if you didn’t live,” or take part, in the occurrence.
“I’ve lived and did not take a picture,” the prime minister responds. He then comes to the realization that he holds the minority opinion on the matter.
“I’m the only one here without all these electronic devices, I’m a free man, and you all are slaves,” he concludes. “You are slaves!”
