New diaspora minister: Virus an opportunity to bring Israel, world Jewry closer

Blue and White MK Omer Yankelevich takes over from Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely as minister of diaspora affairs.

At a ceremony, says Yankelevich: “We are in a global crisis. The coronavirus has created a new and complicated reality. Jewish communities around the world have sustained hard losses. The Jewish institutions around the world are in danger of closing and the economic situation and morale is at rock bottom.”

“But with all of the difficulty, this is also a great opportunity. It’s an opportunity for the State of Israel to strengthen this invisible tie linking us together, to extend a ‘shoulder,’ to express our commitment to Jews in the diaspora. This challenge must be an opportunity for change, for momentum, to create global Jewish connection and solidarity, and with the help of God we will do this.”

Yankelevich is the government’s first ever female ultra-Orthodox minister.