Miki Levi's controversial US trip

Speaker of the Knesset Miki Levy is going to the USA. His trip will be marked by a visit to a Reform community, which is not so unusual - other ministers have met with Reform communities and leaders - and will pray with them in Temple Emmanuel in New York. That is unusual.

Levy's announcement has upset the Haredi MKs, which is always fun. I always like Yair Lapid's famous response to UTJ MKs saying "We don't work for you". He is right, and nobody needs their permission or guidance, but it is still setting a precedent and is a significant change in policy by the Israeli government. Levi is not just a regular MK but is Speaker of the Knesset. UTJ put out an angry statement saying that as a representative of all the parties in Knesset, Levy should not be meeting with a group that is so controversial and not consensus.

Levy's office responded that the Speaker will meet with representatives of any and all Jewish groups and see this as important and necessary. The State of Israel is the country of the entire Jewish nation and we must embrace all our brethren among all the Jewish communities.

sources: Kan, Haredim10, Actualic, Kol Hai News

The argument goes both ways, in both directions. Anyone can call anyone else controversial and say he shouldnt meet them. Maybe Levy should not meet with Haredim because some consider them controversial? Maybe he shouldnt meet with settlers because some consider them controversial. Oh wait, has he met with any of these other groups or their supporters as "brethren among all the Jewish communities"?

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