In Israel, moviegoers speak Borat's language

JERUSALEM -- Like moviegoing masses around the world, Israelis have crowded theaters to watch the hit spoof "Borat." But they are laughing for another reason: They actually understand what the anti-Semitic, misogynist Kazakh journalist is saying.

Few realize that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's wacky comedic creation, Borat Sagdiyev, is not speaking Kazakh or even gibberish, but rather Hebrew.

The 35-year-old British comedian is no stranger to Israel. He is an observant Jew, his mother was born in Israel, and his grandmother still lives in Haifa. After high school, he spent a year working and studying on a kibbutz, or collective farm, in northern Israel. He has since returned for several visits, and his Hebrew is excellent.

The irony of a Hebrew-speaking anti-Semite is not lost on the admiring Israeli audience, which has made the movie a hit here.

"It is extremely funny and kind of cool to realize that you are understanding something no one else does," said Gaby Goldman, 33, of Tel Aviv. "He sounds almost Israeli, he sounds like one of us."

Israelis begin giggling right from the opening scene, when Borat departs his hometown in Kazakhstan for the "U.S. and A.," assuring a one-armed man in fake Kazakh: "Don't worry, I will bring you a new hand in America."

The subtitle gives the direct translation, but there's no need in Israel. It merely repeats what Borat has just said in Hebrew.

The film is peppered with Hebrew expressions and Israeli slang, inside jokes only Israelis could truly appreciate. In one scene, Borat sings the lyrics of the legendary Hebrew folk song "Koom Bachur Atzel," meaning "get up lazy boy." Even Borat's signature catch phrase -- "Wa wa wee wa," an expression for wow -- derives from a skit on a popular Israeli comedy show and is often heard in Israel.

Some American Jews fear Baron Cohen's faux anti-Semitic humor will go over people's heads and reinforce bigotry. But in Israel, Borat's fans are clearly in on the fun.

"It was sort of like a wink to the Hebrew speaker," said Oded Volovitz, 32. "It was a message that basically said, 'Although the movie is very anti [Jewish], I am still with you, I am still the same Mr. Cohen. I'm just trying to send a message here, and I hope you guys understand it.' "