WATCH: Israeli activists say Julia Louis-Dreyfus commercial is ‘offensive’ to women

Ami Kaufman By Ami Kaufman February 11, 2013 | Edit

The Yes satellite television company is out with a new commercial, that for the past couple of weeks has caused quite the debate on Israeli social networks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXfORXEPfnk

Yesterday, the head of the Naamat organization, a leading women’s movement, wrote to the public appeals ombudsman of Channel 2, demanding the commercial be taken down because it is offensive to women.

I’m not sure I know how to take this commercial. First of all, i just think it’s bad. It’s not funny. At all. And Israelis probably don’t know that the ‘ole mistaking-fat-woman-for-pregnant joke is one of the oldest in the book. When Louis-Dreyfus got this script she must have rolled her eyes, saying “who writes this shit?”

Let’s face it, it’s grotesque laughing at overweight people. But, it just seems so hypocritical to lash out against it in the “reality show” society we live in these days, where viewers are encouraged to laugh and poke at the various contestants who are different than the norm.

What do you think?

Ami Kaufman

Ami Kaufman was chief night editor for Haaretz, for the prominent Israeli financial daily Calcalist, and correspondent on Israeli affairs for 93.6 RAM FM, a joint Palestinian-Israel radio station. His interest in food and cooking led to culinary studies at the "Israeli CIA" (Tadmor, Herzliya) and a brief stint in the restaurant business. Born in Tel Aviv, Ami lives in Bat Yam with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time he blogs at Half & Half.

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