MK Merav Cohen Criticizes Israeli Government's Handling of Hostage Deal and Public Diplomacy
Member of Knesset Merav Cohen, formerly the Minister of Social Equality, has sharply criticized the Israeli government's performance on multiple fronts, including its handling of the hostage crisis, public diplomacy, and budget allocation. In an interview on the "Kipot Barzel" program, Cohen stated that Israel is "losing the explanatory battle" internationally, attributing this to the government's failure to present its narrative effectively and dismissing claims of widespread antisemitism as an insufficient strategy. She called for a state commission of inquiry to present facts globally and condemned government ministers' reactions, such as suggesting the revocation of citizenship, as "knee-jerk" responses that play into the hands of extremists.
Cohen also voiced strong criticism regarding the defense budget discussions, supporting opposition leader Yair Lapid's stance that the financial burden should not fall solely on working and serving citizens. She proposed cutting 20 billion shekels from coalition funds to help finance the increased defense budget, contrasting this with the minimal resources allocated to the education system. She further questioned the government's continued cooperation with Qatar and ministers' statements that damage Israel's international standing.
Addressing her party's decision not to join an emergency government after October 7th, Cohen explained that they refused to be a "fig leaf" for "morally terrible actions" without genuine influence. She accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of steering the hostage negotiations for political gain, suggesting a deal could have been reached much earlier, leading to the deaths of more hostages and soldiers in the interim. Cohen vowed never to forgive this perceived political manipulation.
Looking ahead, Cohen expressed her ambition to lead the Ministry of Education, outlining plans for a comprehensive reform. These include integrating the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community into the workforce through state-run educational and employment frameworks, establishing a national education council to set a common core curriculum, rectifying budget disparities in state high schools, and significantly increasing investment in early childhood education (ages 0-3), where Israel lags behind OECD averages. In a rapid-fire association round, Cohen described Netanyahu as "lacking integrity," Itamar Ben-Gvir as "dangerous," and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as "a failure."
