Free Republic

The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned comments by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, who announced his intention to host right-wing activist Tommy Robinson in Israel later this month. According to the Board, “Tommy Robinson is a bully representing the worst of Britain. His presence undermines the sincere efforts of those genuinely working to combat Islamic extremism and foster community cohesion.” “The minister has proven that he is a ‘Diaspora Minister’ in name only—not in his actions. In this dark hour, he chose to ignore the views of the overwhelming majority of British Jews, who consistently and unequivocally reject...

Israeli Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli called for the internartional coomunity to grant and recognize the independence of Kurdistan as Kurdish regions in northern Syria face attacks from Turkey and Turkish-backed rebel groups. "Kurdistan must be granted independence, while Erdoğan should be expelled from NATO and left to crown himself as the caliph of an Islamic state, ruling alongside his friends in ISIS and Al-Qaeda," Chikli wrote on X. Chikli's comments were made in response to an interview given by a Kurdish journalist in Syria with Israel's Kan News channel. .....

The new Likud Party-led government in Israel, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes a new Social Equality Minister, Amichai Chikli, who has described the Tel Aviv Pride Parade as “disgraceful vulgarity,” according to Haaretz. Chikli’s new titles include Diaspora Affairs Minister and Social Equality Minister. It is his job to work with Jews abroad, the diaspora, many of whom are liberal and non-Orthodox, and to build support for the Likud Party through social issues. However, Chikli’s repudiation of his past liberal politics may cause problems in dealing with Israel’s LGBTQ community, said Haaretz. Chikli entered the Knesset first as...