New Israeli Ministry: Diaspora Affairs and Combat Antisemitism

Rachel Max ‘24
The Diaspora Affairs Ministry in Israel has rebranded itself as the Diaspora Affairs and Combat Antisemitism Ministry, a name that reflects its pivot to combating both antisemitism and efforts at delegitimization of Israel.

After the November 2022 Israeli elections which reinstated Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, the Diaspora Affairs Ministry also experienced an upheaval. This shift includes a new leader, Amichai Chikli, and the Ministry’s combination with several other departments to broaden its goals.
A “Diaspora Jew” refers to any Jew who currently resides outside of the state of Israel. They are labeled “diaspora” because they left Israel in the original Jewish exile, or diaspora, after the destruction of the Second Temple and have not since returned. 
The desire to bring these Jews to Israel has always and continues to play a role in Israel's policies. The Diaspora Affairs Ministry was formed with the purpose of helping support Diaspora Jews, returning them to Israel, protecting them, integrating them and more. 
The ministry’s extension to actively focusing on curbing antisemitism is likely linked with the worldwide increase in antisemitic acts.
According to a 2022 survey taken in Israel, around 82% of Israelis believe that all Diaspora Jews should return to Israel, specifically because it is the safest place in the world for Jews to be. This percentage has risen substantially within the past three years, as when the same survey was taken in 2020, only 72% of respondents believed the same.
“The rise of global antisemitism has only heightened the belief that Israel is the safest place for Jews, and therefore Israel should facilitate Aliyah and not hinder it by amending the Law of Return,” said Center for Jewish Impact Chairperson Robert Singer in a statement to the “Washington Post.” 
While this extension to include a focus on antisemitism seems ideal, some worry about unintended consequences caused by the changes. For instance, there is talk of the Law of Return, which allows all Jews to become Israeli citizens, being removed or drastically altered, which Jews, both in Israel and out, worry could have serious, unforeseen, negative consequences. 
The specific aspect of the law being discussed is the "grandfather clause," a 1970 amendment to the original Law of Return. The amendment added that anyone with a Jewish grandparent could call upon the Law of Return and make Aliyah. The requirement was based on the requirements set by the Natzis, with the argument being, “if you were Jewish enough for Hitler to want to murder you, you should be Jewish enough for Israel to give you a home.”
The Law of Return has always been part of the foundation of Israel, reflecting the ideals of creating a home for all Jews. It allows Israel to truly be a Jewish State, a place where all Jews can return to in the face of antisemitism, and now, with antisemitism on the rise, the need for such a place is clear. Amending this law could leave Jews stranded, left alone to combat antisemitism on their own, or worse yet, rejected by their fellow Jews on the basis of not being Jewish enough, effectively dividing the community at a time when we all need to be coming together.
Another worry is that rather than helping improve Israel, the expansion of the Ministry to also include issues of antisemitism will only make the Israeli-Palestinian conflict worse.
“The rebranding may cause many non-Jews to be further alienated from their own nation and increase tension not only between Israelis and Palestinians or the neighboring nations but also between Israel and those Jews who are against the existence of Israel for any number of reasons, whether religious or political,” said junior Daniel Altzman
Despite these worries, Minister Chikli insisted that the new Ministry is not planning anything drastic, at least not recently. “We need Israel to be a strong Jewish state, and we need to tackle this challenge, and we’re going to do it slowly,” the minister said. “We are going to do it by listening to all.”