Demoted Likud MK Amsalem accuses Netanyahu of racism and ‘humiliating’ Sephardic voters

[ad_1]

On Friday, Likud MK David Amsalem lambasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of racism and “humiliation” of Sephardic party supporters after he was snubbed in the allocation of ministerial portfolios.

Amsalem, the most prominent Likud MK not granted a cabinet post when Netanyahu formed his government, had demanded to be either justice minister or Knesset speaker and apparently refused other posts afterward. being denied both.

Speaking to supporters gathered outside his home on Friday, Amsalem — in a rare open display of dissent by a Likud MK — said it was not a personal snub, but rather a counter all Sephardic Jews.

“The one who decided not to give me a portfolio was the prime minister,” Amsalem said, accusing Netanyahu of issuing an apology to “Ali Baba” for why he couldn’t be Knesset speaker.

“You can’t humiliate David Amsalem, I’m a team player, but this humiliation was aimed directly at me,” he said.

Receive the daily edition of The Times of Israel by email and never miss our best articles

By registering, you agree to the terms

Amsalem said he asked Netanyahu why he didn’t get a top spot, even though he was chosen 4th in the Likud primaries. “Where is David Amsalem? Are you passing me? What did I do? What sin have I committed?

Amsalem accused Netanyahu of targeting him specifically because he is a Sephardi Jew.

“You are not humiliating me. You don’t humiliate us Sephardim. Never! No one will humiliate us Mizrahi Jews, not even a Likud prime minister,” he said, claiming that Sephardic Jews make up 70 percent of Likud supporters.

“We don’t have to apologize for coming fourth. What is this insolence? I see this as a sign of massive ingratitude on the part of the prime minister and I told him so,” Amsalem said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks with then-coalition chairman MK David Amsalem during a meeting of Likud factions in the Knesset on November 19, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90 )

Amsalem’s comments were filmed by a reporter from the ultra-Orthodox news site BeHadrei Hadarim and posted online.

Netanyahu was forced to give the cold shoulder to several Likud lawmakers after handing over most top government posts to his coalition partners. While some were given no portfolios, others were given lesser positions or were forced to share the jobs in a rotation.

Netanyahu was also seen as rewarding those most loyal to him over the past few years and seeking to weaken those who might challenge his authority within the party.

Amsalem had been one of Netanyahu’s staunchest supporters and was one of the loudest voices questioning the motivation behind the corruption charges against him, but the two clashed several times over the course of the campaign. ‘last year.

Netanyahu’s son, Yair, responded to Amsalem on Twitter, writing: “And it is well known that Amir Ohana is Polish. Ohana, who was named Knesset Speaker in place of Amsalem, is, like Amsalem, the son of immigrants from Morocco.

Amsalem, who is known as an arsonist with a brash style who frequently engaged in heckling from his Knesset seat and confrontational oratory from the podium, would have been an unorthodox choice for president, a post that combines the management of parliament by ensuring a majestic debate and enforcing the laws of the Knesset the representative abroad and replacing the president when he is not available.

Amsalem has frequently alleged discrimination against Sephardic Jews. Last year, he found himself embroiled in a rare spat with Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut, accusing her and the other justices of systematic discrimination. Hayut dismissed his claims calling them “poison”.

Historically, and to a large extent still, Ashkenazi Jews populated Israel’s upper class while Mizrahi Jews were poorer overall, with discriminatory policies of Israel’s early years to blame for inequality . This pattern is embedded in Israel’s electoral landscape, shaping the country’s politics.

You are a dedicated reader

We’re really glad you’ve read the X Times of Israel articles over the past month.

That’s why we started The Times of Israel ten years ago – to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other media, we don’t have a paywall in place. But because the journalism we do is expensive, we invite readers to whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel community.

For just $6 a month, you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to members of the Times of Israel community.

Thank you, David Horovitz, founding editor of The Times of Israel

Join our community Join our community Already a member? Log in to stop seeing this

[ad_2]