Jewelry Designer Etty Kubo Defends Miami Move Amidst War Criticism

Jewelry designer and influencer Etty Kubo, founder of the brand "Coconut Love" and wife of businessman Oded Kubo, relocated with her family to Miami approximately one month after the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" war. Since moving abroad, Kubo has been managing her Israeli businesses remotely, a decision that has drawn significant criticism on social media for leaving the country during wartime.

In a recent interview with "Walla!", Kubo addressed the accusations and the challenges of running her business from overseas. She firmly rejected the criticism, explaining that her husband, an American citizen, had long desired to return to the U.S. and that the war presented a crossroads for their family. "The decision to stay in the United States was not easy for me, but it was a joint decision for both of us," she stated. Kubo emphasized that her connection to Israel is not dependent on her place of residence, noting she visits Israel three times a year.

Despite the distance, Kubo continues to manage her business operations in Israel from Miami, overseeing logistics, employing staff, and expanding her brand. She highlighted the difficulties of managing across thousands of miles, particularly the time difference, which limits her effective workdays to about four days a week. "It's not ideal, there's stress in the last three years and it's difficult," she admitted.

Kubo also detailed her involvement in pro-Israel advocacy and donation efforts since the conflict began. She donated 20% of her website's revenue to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, designed a special yellow bracelet for the cause, and provided tracksuits to soldiers in the north. "From the first moment, I mobilized every tool I had," she said, asserting her ongoing support for Israel from across the ocean.