October 13, 2015, Updated October 14, 2015

There is nothing funny about the current wave of terror attacks in Israel. But Israelis always turn to humor to get through tough situations. And dark comic posts on social media are rampant.

There’s a sharp-witted photo titled “Waze 2015” that shows a new use for the popular Israeli-made navigation app: reporting terror attacks. Haifa resident Ivgeni Zarubisnki, who works in the entertainment field and is prolific on social media, redefined the Waze screen to include choices like shooting, stabbing, Molotov cocktail, tractor, burning tire or thrown rocks instead of the usual police, traffic jam or construction warnings.

The “new” Waze screen for terror warnings. Photo via Facebook
The “new” Waze screen for terror warnings. Photo via Facebook

The photo was shared on HaZinor’s Facebook page, the go-to site for anyone wanting to keep tabs on dark comedy fueled by the terror attacks.

The Israeli television show HaZinor usually airs the most popular videos and items on social media over the course of the week. Don’t wait for its evening broadcast! Instead, keep up with the latest cutting jokes on Facebook.

Like the post by Israeli-Arab academic Jawad Zayyad that reads: “Sitting at a restaurant, I didn’t want to frighten anyone so I ate with my hands. Now I have food stuck in my teeth and I’m afraid to take out a toothpick.”

This is Jawad Zayyad’s post, in Hebrew. Photo via Facebook
This is Jawad Zayyad’s post, in Hebrew. Photo via Facebook

 

 

Civilian Elite Force badge by Eretz Nehederet
Civilian Elite Force badge by Eretz Nehederet

Eretz Nehederet (A Wonderful Country), the beloved satirical television show that lampoons current affairs in Israel, has announced on its Facebook page that it will air a special broadcast next week in light of the security situation (despite being on a break until its new season launches in early 2016). The show’s producers and art department are working overtime as they update ruthless send ups of the current happenings in Israel.

A good example is the Eretz Nehederet graphic of a ‘new’ elite force that shows the unconventional self-defense weapons Israeli civilians have used against attackers over the last few days: a selfie stick, umbrella and nunchucks.

It’s always said that you never know where the next viral sensation will come from. And an Israeli guy named Matan Abramovitz hopes his short video titled “Not without My Magnum”  will be the next “it” thing. In the video, you see him doing everyday things like washing dishes or shampooing his hair, always with his Magnum ice-cream stick in his hand.

Of course, Abramovitz is skewering a news report that showed an Israeli border policewoman helping to subdue a knife-wielding terrorist in Afula while never dropping the ice cream she was halfway through eating.

Another video making the rounds is a pseudo self-defense clip posted by someone with the moniker Rogatka. The video shows two guys demonstrating how to throw an imaginary fireball at an assailant during a stabbing attack.

And then there are also the feel-good video clips on social media, like the Symphonette Ra’anana playing an impromptu concert in Jerusalem’s Old City on October 11. The ensemble posted on its Facebook page that “the nation needs music” and added photos of its concert.

Here’s hoping the fodder for new dark comedy will wither before new jokes can be made.

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Jason Harris

Jason Harris

Executive Director

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