South Park Returns with Scathing Netanyahu Critique

The iconic animated series South Park returned to screens last night with a provocative new episode, opting to focus its satirical lens on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which has gripped American headlines. The fifth episode of the 27th season, titled "Conflict of Interest," aired on Comedy Central and took aim at the Gaza conflict, portraying Netanyahu as responsible for thousands of deaths and fueling antisemitism in the U.S., as reported by Walla.

The episode centers on Sheila Broflovski, known as "Kyle’s mom," who becomes the target of a controversial online betting scheme involving whether she would attack Gaza and destroy a Palestinian hospital. The plot leverages the growing popularity of U.S. prediction market apps, even among kids. Eric Cartman seizes the opportunity for profit, quipping, “Just mention Gaza around a Jew, and they lose it,” while Kyle, whose character draws from co-creator Matt Stone’s Jewish upbringing in Colorado, calls out the bet as blatant antisemitism. The storyline reflects Stone’s personal experiences, touching on the automatic association of American Jews with Israel’s policies.

In a dramatic scene, Sheila buys a plane ticket to Israel and storms into Netanyahu’s office, unleashing a tirade: “Who do you think you are, Mr. Netanyahu? Killing thousands, flattening entire neighborhoods, and then wrapping yourself in Judaism like it’s a shield against criticism! You’re making life unbearable for Jews, and impossible for American Jews!” The show portrays Netanyahu as a singularly negative figure, while its broader critique targets American ignorance about the Gaza conflict, with Sheila urging a friend to “read books instead of relying on what Hollywood says.”

A secondary plotline follows a chaotic relationship between Donald Trump and Satan, with Trump attempting to prevent the birth of a “Doomsday Baby” through absurd schemes, inadvertently harming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who loses his ability to speak. This subplot references Carr’s recent real-world efforts to cancel Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Notably, the episode avoids addressing Charlie Kirk’s September 10 assassination, despite earlier controversy over a season 27 episode that mocked him through Cartman’s character. That episode drew ire from American conservatives, who claimed it stoked hatred leading to Kirk’s death, prompting Comedy Central to pull it from broadcast (though it remains available on streaming). The decision to pivot to Netanyahu and Gaza appears deliberate, likely in response to the backlash.

The episode has already sparked polarized reactions, with some Israeli media likely to label it “anti-Israel,” though its nuanced critique focuses more on Netanyahu and U.S. misconceptions than Israel as a whole.