A grassroots initiative against Gazit, known for his rude interviewing techniques specifically vis-a-vis guests with whom he does not agree, began almost two weeks ago. It asks listeners who are offended by Gazit to send an SMS with their name and the word "boycott," and thus far some 6,000 people have responded.



Organizer Yosef Russo says that the goal is to have Gazit removed from his prime-time talk radio slot from 10 AM-noon, Sunday through Wednesday. "Starting next week," he told Arutz-7's Orly Baruch, "our volunteers will be in touch with the advertisers on the station, and will update them as to the number of people who now refuse to listen."



In addition, Russo's group plans a campaign that will reach a broader audience, including the placement of flyers in mailboxes in various cities. "This is not a fictitious boycott," Russo said. "The people who sign up commit themselves not to listen to Gazit's show."



Russo has met with Israel Radio's Channel Two director, Ya'ir Aloni, who said he has no intention of firing Gazit.



In response to complaints against Gazit's abrasive and coercive style in the past, Israel Radio Ombudsman Amos Goren sent the following form letter: "On the heels of your letter [of complaint], and those of others, the Director-General of the Israel Broadcasting Authority [IBA] held a clarification session with Gabi Gazit. The Director explained to Gabit Gazit that he must act in accordance with the IBA's mandatory ethical code."



Russo's organization is considering a petition to the Supreme Court, demanding redress for Gazit's perceived violations of the above ethical code.



The organization's charter states, "Gabi Gazit has introduced a broadcasting style and culture that is damaging to the character of Israeli media. In addition, he uses the public stage given to him to openly promote political processes that suit his personal opinions, including the expulsion from and destruction of Gush Katif... Without regard for our own personal opinions, we must all come out against the phenomenon of a broadcaster of this type on a public radio station in Israel."



One organizer said that though Gazit is the first target, the ultimate objective is to "amass public strength that will enable us to fight for the right to hear nationalist-oriented radio. We are starting with Gazit because he is currently the most blatantly left-wing media personality, but we intend to demand a comprehensive change throughout the media. For this, we need strong backing from the public."



Gazit's style includes calling Knesset Members by their last names with no title, and responding sarcastically and abrasively to his interviewees. Several weeks ago, he acknowledged that it is not appropriate for a public radio station to call for a boycott -yet later he did exactly that regarding amusement parks with whose policies he did not agree. In a forceful tone, he threatened that they must "change their mind within ten minutes," and called upon parents not to send their children to the parks.



Gazit interviewed a PA official recently with regard to the Palestinian desecration and destruction of synagogues in Gush Katif. He showed understanding for her religious-legal determination that the synagogues were no longer holy, and for her allegation that it was Israel's fault for leaving the synagogues standing.