Fun or Child Abuse?
Popular Israeli Kids Entertainer Shoves Her Kids's Faces Into Birthday Cakes, and the Internet Erupts
Michal HaKtana is famous for the extravagant and over-the-top birthday parties she throws for her children every year, but this time the clips from Rif and Rei’s celebration caused a huge public storm.
Videos that spread across social media from the lavish birthday party held over the weekend show the beloved children’s entertainer Michal HaKtana pushing the faces of her two children, Rif and Rei, straight into their birthday cake. The footage sparked outrage online, with many condemning her behavior as violent.
In a video apology posted to her official Instagram account, the 43-year-old entertainer said she takes full responsibility for what happened, even though, according to her, the idea of putting their faces in the cake came from the birthday kids themselves: “The cake moment, that was Rif and Rei’s idea. I want to make it clear: they are the ones who asked for it, planned it, and waited all day for it. We knew exactly what was going to happen, so we prepared the cake specially – no skewers, no toothpicks. The kids were super excited. There was no force, no danger, just a funny, sweet game between two innocent, happy kids who couldn’t wait to smash their faces in the cake and burst out laughing when they lifted their heads.”
She continued:
“Now that I watch the video back, I see the moment came out less gentle than it felt in real time. If anyone found it offensive or it made anyone uncomfortable, I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart and take full responsibility. Being a mom is the [most important] role of my life; I protect my children with every step and every breath.”