Likud MP claims The Matrix written by Yeshiva students

An Israeli Knesset Member (MK) has been mocked after claiming that the Matrix trilogy was written by Yeshiva students.

Galit Distel-Atbaryan, a Likud MK and former Public Diplomacy Minister, made the claim during a panel discussion on Jewish identity on Israel's Channel 14 on Monday. 

During the program, she was quoted by Haaretz as saying: "One of the best movies ever made, The Matrix, was written by two Yeshiva students, based on Kabbalah."

A Yeshiva is a traditional site of Jewish education where students are taught subjects on Judaism, including Jewish law and philosophy, while Kabbalah is a form of Jewish mysticism.

The Matrix was created by the American sibling duo Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who are not of Jewish descent.

Following her remarks, Distel-Atbaryan faced ridicule on X as well as scathing remarks from David Lifshitz, a writer for the Israeli satirical show Eretz Nehederet.

"It’s really amazing how stupid and dishonest you can be and still be an elected official," he was quoted by Haaretz as saying.

Alongside other lawmakers, he likened her to "a bunch of clueless and unskilled people whose fingers determine life here."

However, following the criticism Distel-Atbaryan admitted in a post on X to being wrong about the original writers of The Matrix films.

However, she then doubled down on her comments, drawing a parallel between the movie and Judaism.

"The Matrix is the deepest waters of Jewish thought. The parallel between The Matrix script and the Jewish Kabbalah is simply chilling," she said, before elaborating on what she thought the parallels between The Matrix and Judaism were.