Merav Ben Ari Criticizes Oren Dobronski’s Likud Nomination as Ashkenazi Privilege

Merav Ben Ari, a Knesset member from the Yesh Atid party, sharply criticized the Likud party’s nomination of Oren Dobronski, describing it as an example of Ashkenazi favoritism. She highlighted Dobronski as an Ashkenazi man who spent most of his life abroad, married a non-Jewish woman overseas, and questioned the party’s priorities. Ben Ari contrasted her own experiences facing hostility from various Likud members and supporters, including accusations of "becoming Ashkenazi" after joining Yesh Atid.

Ben Ari further accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of exclusively reserving political slots for Ashkenazim, while relying on Mizrahi voters without offering them real representation. She condemned what she called a "group of Mizrahi slaves" who flatter Netanyahu but receive no respect in return, stating that Likud exploits Mizrahi communities by publicly embracing them but ultimately betraying them.

The comments reflect ongoing tensions within Israeli politics over ethnic representation and party favoritism, particularly between Ashkenazi and Mizrahi communities. Ben Ari’s remarks came amid broader debates about Netanyahu’s political strategies and the internal dynamics of the Likud party.