Culture
A story of Israeli heroism becomes an American cliché
Smadar Shiloni
Published: 09.09.19, 17:31
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26 Talkbacks for this article
1. Israel faked Munich, faked Entebbe and faked many more.
NYC   (09.09.19)
So why not this.
2. Leftist Israeli self-hatred is the cliche
Donna Diorio ,   Dallas   (09.09.19)
I find in unbelievable that this movie is getting panned by Israeli critics and that's the first thing the Israeli news sources want to put out about it. This incredible movie is such a powerful communication of what Israel has been dealing with for decades - a story that most of the world does not begin to know because of all of the propaganda put out. Sacha Baron Cohen did a fantastic job of telling the story and all the Israeli naysayers should be ashamed of themselves for speaking against it. Good grief!
3. The Spy
Arnie ,   Montreal   (09.09.19)
Watched two episodes. It has captured my attention to continue knowing it has a tragic ending for Eli Cohen.
4. amazing story and a very well and intense series. well done!
dan   (09.09.19)
couldnt stop watching the whole series in sequence.
5. True. It could have been precious and genuine.
Rabbi Roberto Feldma ,   Concón, Chile.   (09.09.19)
Instead, Giddi Raff can't come up with a lively, deep, creative script, even though the story is superlative in heroism, intrigue, humanity.
6. Awesome
Spylee ,   Herzliya   (09.09.19)
This was really a great series and I enjoyed it very much.
7. It was a great movie, this article is stupid.
Uzi   (09.09.19)
It was a great movie. Instead of complaining about why it was in English maybe understand that many people won’t watch a movie in another language in subtitles they just won’t.
8. Shallow? Maybe. Perhaps as this article
Ilan ,   Raanana   (09.09.19)
Missing some depth in this article? Me too
9. Great series !
Natuglen   (09.10.19)
I really enjoyed the series and Sacha did a great job in this very different role for him. Sounds like this reviewer just watched the trailer and has something against Netflix...
10. Sacha Baron Cohen seems like a BAD cast choice for a hero!
Rafi ,   US   (09.10.19)
11. Grest show
(09.10.19)
Great show!!
12. B.B.C. Covering Israeli Heroism :-)
Arieh ben Israel ,   Carmiel   (09.12.19)


An Israeli is on vacation and is visiting a zoo in England when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion’s cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside his cage, right under the eyes of her screaming parents.

The Israeli runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the Israeli brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him profusely.


A B.B.C. reporter has watched the whole event. The reporter says to the Israeli: ‘Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I’ve ever seen a man do in my lifetime.’

The Israeli replies, ‘Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little girl in danger and acted as I felt right.’

The reporter says, ‘Well, I’ll make sure this doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m a journalist, and tomorrow’s paper will have this story on the front page. So, what country are you from, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do you have?’

The Israeli replies, “I’m from Israel . I serve in the Israeli army and I vote for the Likud.”

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the Israeli buys the paper to see news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:

“RIGHT-WING ISRAELI ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH.”

And that pretty much sums up the media’s approach to Israel these days.



13. Donna, Sorry. my comment was forr the idiot below ! My bad !
Arieh ben Israel ,   Carmiel   (09.12.19)
14. Israel fakes events like Entebbe creating their own.....
NYC   (09.12.19)
mythical heroes like ALL the biblical heroes and godmen of the fictional past.
15. Borat was funny because Cohen' language was easy hebrew.
NYC   (09.12.19)
So part of what made the movie was using hebrew as a prop as he does now again using Israel mythology as a prop.
16. N G Neer
Mordecai Glicksman ,   Ma'aleh Adumim   (09.21.19)
Don't forget — they also faked the moon landings, the Boxing Day tsunami, Columbus' landing in America, the meteor that killed the nonavian dinosaurs, Hurricane Dorian, World War 2, and the 2013 Okhotsk Sea earthquake!
17. Bad Article
Tyler   (10.30.19)
Of course the ending of the show is predictable you idiot. It's based on a true story. Also, they could have chose to have all the characters speak their native language, but it would have been much less popular and it is a TV series, designed to make money, so your point doesn't make much sense.

It really just seems like you are trying very hard to find something that you dislike about this show.
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