Israeli leader resists calls to criticize Trump
JERUSALEM — Israel’s prime minister faced growing calls on Thursday to denounce President Donald Trump’s response to the racially charged violence and anti-Semitic displays in Charlottesville, Virginia, even at the risk of angering the American leader.
Benjamin Netanyahu has remained largely silent during the unfolding crisis in Virginia. While issuing a terse condemnation of neo-Nazis and racists, he has said nothing about Trump’s apparent defence of the actions of white supremacists during last weekend’s deadly violence.
The muted response has upset a growing number of Israelis, who believe that Netanyahu has a special role to play on behalf of Jews overseas. Some have warned that it could cause further damage to an already strained relationship with American Jews.
“We must set a clear boundary against anti-Semitism and protect the Jewish people wherever they may be. There are no grey areas when it comes to these issues, and this doesn’t jeopardize our relationship with the U.S. or with any other partners around the world,” Stav Shaffir, an opposition lawmaker, wrote in the liberal daily Haaretz.