A viral sketch from Israel’s leading satirical sketch show, “Eretz Nehederet,” is gaining traction online as it takes aim at American college campuses. The sketch has garnered over 17 million views and is watched by about 30% of Israelis who own television sets.
The sketch parodies a student news program at Columbia University called “Columbia Untisemity.” The hosts, Keley and Wordle, discuss various topics, including LGBTQH rights. When asked what the “H” stands for, Keley responds with “Hamas,” sparking laughter from the audience. The sketch also shows the hosts tearing down posters of kidnapped Israelis, with one of them making derogatory remarks about Jews. The hosts then interview a fictitious Hamas spokesperson, who uses homophobic slurs against them.
The executive producer of “Eretz Nehederet,” Muli Segev, said he was inspired to write the sketch after seeing social media footage of American students tearing down posters of Israeli hostages. He described the act as hateful and horrifying, especially considering that these students should be demanding the release of the hostages.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia have been on the rise on American college campuses in recent months, following Hamas’ incursion into Israel and the subsequent war between Israel and the militant group. Segev hopes that the sketch, presented in English, will reach an American audience and spark a more nuanced conversation online. He emphasizes that the conflict is complicated and that it’s okay to support the Palestinians, but the one-sided perception of the conflict on U.S. campuses is astonishing.
Segev founded “Eretz Nehederet” over two decades ago and believes that comedy and laughter are the best cure for anxiety. Despite the harsh reality, the show has remained on the air, providing a way for the Israeli public to cope with the situation. Segev humorously notes that laughing about difficult situations is a very Jewish thing to do.
In conclusion, the viral sketch from “Eretz Nehederet” is using satire to address the current state of American college campuses and the tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The sketch aims to bring laughter and start a more nuanced conversation about the complex issues at hand.
