The Netherlands is getting criticised over a parody of Netta’s ‘Toy’, which was aired just the other day. The parody has been accused of mocking Israel and being anti-Semitic. The Israeli embassy, in The Hague, has lodged a formal complaint because of it – so it’s not looking great.
So, what happened?
Well it was aired on Sanne Wallis de Show, which as we know, is prime time TV, good for it’s satire. However, this parody aired on the show was arguably a bit below the belt. It shows the usual parody of Netta stood there singing, however the backdrop for the parody shows footage of Palestinian protests (where 60 people died). The lyrics then describe bombs, world leaders, money and religion.
A part of the song makes reference to Israeli walls (that could make Donald Trump jealous), and that they are making money off the new US embassy, owch.
Here’s the vid:
Here are some of the lyrics… let me know what you think:
Look at me, I am such a sweet country.
World leaders eat obediently out of my hand. And I put out all fires with a kiss.
We are having a party, wanna come? Soon in the al-Aqsa mosque, which will soon be empty anyway.
From Haifa to the Dead Sea, there are fireworks and kosher satay. So just come and dance with me.
Is your country surrounded by rock throwers? Build walls like Trump himself has wet dreams about.
Throw a buk-a-buk, throw a buk rocket.
Look how nicely I throw bombs.
Of course the show has denied any offence was meant – it did not target the Jewish community and it was not anti-Semitic. Others are saying that the parody is extremely offensive and there are worries that because it was aired on prime time TV, that is may have had an impact of how people view them.
Personally, the lyrics are a bit below the belt, I’d criticize in ways other than a parody, then it may be taken more seriously. However, a lot of comedy is like that, and that’s what makes it funny. So, what do you think? Let us know in the comments!
What a hypocrisy – using antisemitism (Arabs are Semites as well) to cover up massacre and 70 years of occupation. Shame