From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Breaking silence, Netanyahu speaks out against neo-Nazis
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GooglePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tweeted out his condemnation for anti-Semitism, as the leader has come under criticism for failing to speak out on a hate-filled violent rally in Virginia over the weekend.
“Outraged by expressions of anti-Semitism, neo-Nazism and racism. Everyone should oppose this hatred,” he tweets in English. He does not specify what his comments refer to.
Outraged by expressions of anti-Semitism, neo-Nazism and racism. Everyone should oppose this hatred.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2017
Jews in Israel and abroad had expressed unease to The Times of Israel over Netanyahu’s silence over the Charlottesville rallies.
“It is surprising and disappointing that Prime Minister Netanyahu has not been more forthcoming and explicit in his condemnation,” Stephen Zunes, a professor of politics and international studies at the University of San Francisco, said.
Some had pointed out that Israeli officials were quick to condemn a Swiss hotel for a sign seen as anti-Semitic, but had remained silent in the face of images of people marching with swastikas and chanting against Jews in the US.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, who was quick to speak out against the Swiss hotel, has remained silent on Virginia, as have President Reuven Rivlin, Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein (Likud) and opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union).
US President Donald Trump was also condemned for being slow to name the neo-Nazis, KKK and other hate groups who marched in Virginia in his comments.
— with Raphael Ahren
The Times of Israel Community.