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A video showing Sara Netanyahu shouting at her husband, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in front of his advisers during the Maccabiah opening ceremony has gone viral. The clip triggered an on-air confrontation between Israeli commentators Eli Ohana and Barak Seri, renewing debate over the role of the prime minister's wife.
The footage filmed at Teddy Stadium shows Sara Netanyahu gesticulating and raising her voice at the prime minister and members of his staff.
Eyewitnesses quoted by Channel 13 reporter Michael Shemesh heard Sara shout, "Because of you, I fought with the people here. You made me fight with people."
The video prompted a heated exchange on a TV program hosted by Ohana and Seri.
Seri said the evening had been a difficult one for Netanyahu.
"It started with a Channel 13 poll that gave Likud 21 seats," Seri said, "which means that in the current situation, with the reserved slots between 10 and 11, 70% of the list goes home."
He added that Netanyahu had been greeted at the Maccabiah opening ceremony with piercing boos, before the video of Sara became the final moment of the night.
Seri said Sara Netanyahu wields significant influence rather than staying out of public matters. "She decides everything, she interferes in our lives," he said.
Ohana drew the line at the domestic dispute, stating, "It doesn't interest me what happens between a couple." He added, "Even if she is not a private person, she is still Netanyahu's wife. I don't get involved in couples' arguments; all couples argue."
Ohana then pivoted to what he described as a more pressing concern. "I want to talk to you about your column on our joint program, in which you have already convicted Netanyahu, dressed him in orange, and sent him to prison," he said.
"I follow the trial and you can see witness after witness coming up and lying, spyware being used against people and investigations being opened against the prime minister without authorization, this is something that infuriates me now. You are always looking for every little thing against Netanyahu. Now suddenly what interests them is fraud and breach of trust, were it not for the bribery charge, this indictment would never have been brought," he added.
Seri responded with a more measured position on the trial.
"I bow my head before whatever the court decides, whatever ruling it issues," he said.
"These judges are conducting the trial in a problematic manner; it may be that the Netanyahu trial is proof that it is impossible to try a sitting prime minister. Fraud and breach of trust are close siblings to bribery. They kept three offenses of fraud and breach of trust, so I would not rush to rejoice, but Netanyahu is spinning and misleading, as if he were somehow acquitted," he added.
According to participants at the event, Sara Netanyahu shouted at the prime minister in front of hundreds of people.
Those present said she complained that she had not been ushered into the venue in an orderly manner, which led to people stepping on her because of crowding.
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