New 'South Park' episode slams Netanyahu: “Just who do you think you are, killing thousands?”

The satirical animated series South Park featured a direct and highly critical depiction of 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an episode focused on the war in Gaza.

The episode, titled "Conflict of Interest," which aired Wednesday, follows two parallel storylines: one involving US political figures and a brain parasite, and the other revolving around the Israeli Occupation of Palestine and its impact on American Jews.

The central plot involves Sheila Broflovski, an American Jewish mother, who becomes enraged after discovering that her son's classmates are gambling on a controversial online "prediction market." The specific bet asks: "Will Kyle's mom strike Gaza and destroy a Palestinian hospital?"

The storyline uses the bet to highlight the struggles of American Jews in the United States, particularly the tendency to connect all Jews to Zionism and 'Israel’s' actions in Gaza.

In one scene, Kyle Broflovski yells at his classmates: "Israel and Gaza are a very serious matter... Jews and Palestinians are not football teams that you bet on."

The Confrontation with Netanyahu

The plot reaches its climax as Sheila is repeatedly pressured by friends and acquaintances to answer for 'Israel's' military actions. Infuriated by the implication that American Jews are collectively responsible for 'Israeli' policy, Sheila snaps, shouting: "It's not Jews vs. Palestine; it's Israel vs. Palestine!"

She then flies to 'Israel', where the episode ends with her barging into Prime Minister Netanyahu's office and delivering a harsh rebuke:

"Just who do you think you are, killing thousands and flattening neighborhoods, then wrapping yourself in Judaism like it's some shield from criticism? You're making life for Jews miserable, and life for American Jews impossible!"

The episode, the first in the show's history to directly address the war in Gaza, has been widely discussed for its willingness to target a sitting world leader while exploring the complexities of Jewish identity and political criticism.

Wider Context and Reactions

The episode also satirized the political pressure faced by media figures, with a subplot widely interpreted as a jab at recent events involving the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

Reactions to the episode have been mixed:

• Praise: Some viewers applauded the show for tackling the war and addressing the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia, holding all parties, especially 'Israeli' leadership, accountable.
• Criticism: Others argued that the ending was misplaced, suggesting that the condemnation of Netanyahu oversimplified the issue and could fuel anti-'Israel' sentiment.

The focus on American Jewish suffering, rather than the scale of the conflict itself, also drew criticism.