Israel’s diaspora minister warns of ‘harm’ new government could do to ties

Israel’s diaspora affairs minister Nachman Shai has said the country’s incoming right-wing government “will potentially damage our relationship with the global Jewish world”.

Speaking to reporters at a conference on Monday, Shai was able to speak freely, given that he is likely to be replaced when Benjamin Netanyahu resumes power at the head of a coalition that includes the 14-seat far-right party ‘Jewish Power’.

“Some of the elected officials lack sufficient experience and, in any opinion, some of the coalition’s demands contradict and even contravene the democratic character of the state of Israel,” said Shai.

“They have been given a playground of powers; they are high on zeal and euphoria. It is alarming, it is dangerous, and it will potentially damage our relationship with the global Jewish world and the international entente and the very future of the state of Israel.”

Shai was won fans across the Jewish diaspora for pointing out that Netanyahu and Israel’s ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer “prioritised [US Christian] Evangelicals” over Jewish communities outside Israel, which he called “a mistake”.

On Monday, he told journalists that the Israel-diaspora relationship would be harmed “not necessarily intentionally, but partly as a result of differences in ideology, partly as a result of political affiliation and partly because of ignorance and unwillingness to understand the situation on the ground”.

It comes after hundreds of American rabbis issued an open letter on Israel’s new leadership, saying: “When those who tout racism and bigotry claim to speak in the name of Israel, but deny our rights, our heritage, and the rights of the most vulnerable among us, we must take action, we must speak out.”