Diaspora Minister Mocks Entire Community, Author Responds
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A writer, temporarily living abroad, responded to criticism questioning her connection to Judaism and Israel. She explained her departure was due to emotional distress from life in Israel and detailed her deep connection through the country's history of wars and her Jewish values of mutual responsibility. The writer criticized Diaspora Minister Amihai Chikli for mocking immigrants' accents, calling it "verbal deception" and harmful to a nation of immigrants and trauma. She asserted that individuals have the right to define their own life stories and experiences.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A writer criticized Diaspora Minister Amihai Chikli for mocking immigrants' accents, calling it "verbal deception."
- The writer explained her temporary departure from Israel was due to emotional distress from life in the country.
- She detailed her deep connection to Israel through its wars and her Jewish values of mutual responsibility.
- The author asserted that immigrants from the former Soviet Union are being made to feel like outsiders.
- She stated that individuals have the right to define their own life stories and experiences.
- The writer emphasized the importance of voting and working for "tikkun olam" (repairing the world).
A writer, identified only as "Shi.A." in online comments, questioned the involvement of a woman who is temporarily living abroad and her right to a column, asking "What does she have to do with Judaism?" The author, who is the Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, Amihai Chikli, responded that she is living on a Greek island for a year to fulfill a lifelong dream and will soon return to Israel. She explained that she felt compelled to leave Israel temporarily because "life in Israel was peeling my heart away thinly and sharply, and I couldn't stand it." She detailed her deep connection to Israel through its wars, from the Six-Day War to the October 7th attacks, during which five of her friends survived Hamas's massacre while others did not. She asserted her Jewish identity is rooted in social involvement, mutual responsibility, peace, human brotherhood, and pacifism, emphasizing the commandment "Love your neighbor as yourself" and "You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor." She stressed the importance of voting and working for "tikkun olam" (repairing the world), stating, "We have no extra land, we have no land to lose, and we have no right to stand aside and let the home be destroyed."
The author then delved into Jewish law, specifically the concept of "ona'at devarim" (verbal deception or causing emotional distress), citing a Mishna that prohibits causing harm through words, such as inquiring about an item one has no intention of buying, reminding a baal teshuvah (a repentant sinner) of their past, or reminding the child of converts of their ancestors' actions. She argued that Chikli's behavior, which included mocking the Russian accent of Avigdor Lieberman, constituted "ona'at devarim" against an entire community, particularly immigrants from the former Soviet Union, implying they are outsiders and their foreignness is laughable. This behavior, she stated, reminded her of a hurtful imitation of Amnon Abramovich during the 2019 Likud election campaign. She concluded that politicians promoting such a "culture of deception" hinder healing in a nation of immigration and trauma, and that every person has the right to tell their own life story and choose how to address their immigration, injuries, captivity, trauma, and pain.