ABSTRACT
David Levin examines how dominant and traditional Israeli definitions of gender and nationality are used in televised satirical shows in order to create a caricature of political “otherness”. He analyzes Eretz Nehederet (Wonderful Country) (2003–), a left-wing oriented, prime time Israeli satirical review and Mahadurat Hashevet (The Tribe Edition) (2009–2013), a right-wing oriented satirical web-series. Over the years, Levin argues, Eretz Nehederet demonized settlers by using dominant and aggressive stereotypes of women settlers, while male settlers were presented as subordinate to the dominant female figures. In response, and as an outcome of continuing dissatisfaction with the televised image of settlers, the right-wing-identified Mahadurat Hashevet portrayed a vilified left-wing feminist who terrorizes her male partner. The use of ridiculed aggressive female characters as social villains by both political sides represents the enduring control of male figures as the images of the hegemonic Israeli social order, perpetuating the otherness of women beyond the political split.
