I asked Google what s/he thought. This is a pretty interesting answer:
AI Overview
It is a subject of significant debate and criticism whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deliberately involves the Jewish diaspora in Israeli policy, or rather that his policies have
unintentionally but severely deepened the rifts between Israel and the diaspora.
Many sources argue that the outcomes of his policies and rhetoric often have the effect of placing diaspora Jews in difficult positions or making them feel that their needs and values are secondary to his political agenda and the interests of his right-wing coalition partners.
Key Points of Contention
- Prioritizing State-Centred Goals: Critics suggest that Netanyahu prioritizes Israel's state-centered objectives over the well-being and security of diaspora communities. For example, he has pursued alliances with right-wing, and in some cases, allegedly antisemitic, European leaders like Viktor Orbán, overriding the objections and concerns of local Jewish communities to secure diplomatic and economic ties.
- Defining Jewish Identity: Netanyahu's coalition has pushed for changes to the Law of Return (specifically the "grandchild clause") and has challenged the non-Orthodox streams of Judaism (Reform and Conservative), which constitute the majority of American Jewry. These moves are seen by many in the diaspora as an attempt to redefine what it means to be Jewish in a way that alienates them and sidelines their forms of practice and belief.
- Expectation of Unconditional Support: Some critics argue that Netanyahu's government operates under the assumption of automatic, unconditional support from all Jews, regardless of the specific policies enacted. When diaspora Jews voice criticism of Israeli policies (e.g., judicial reforms, handling of the Gaza conflict), they are sometimes accused of being "leftists" or "betraying" Israel, which forces them into a polarized debate and exposes them to greater hostility in their home countries.
- Using Diaspora for Political Ends: The perception exists that Netanyahu sometimes "speaks for" all Jews internationally when it suits his political narrative, but fails to support diaspora communities when they are under attack or when their concerns clash with his agenda. His calls for mass migration of European Jews to Israel after attacks have also been criticized by local Jewish leaders as unhelpful and politically motivated, implying that Jews cannot be safe in the diaspora.
In essence, while Netanyahu has stated that Israel has a "responsibility" for Jewish communities worldwide and has allocated funds for their protection, his actual policies and political alliances are widely seen as having a divisive and potentially damaging impact on Israel-diaspora relations.
