Does Israel have a problem with American Jews?
Benjamin Netanyahu's government unveils an ad campaign urging expats to come home, and some Jews in the U.S. find the message insulting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has launched an advertising campaign in five U.S. cities aiming to persuade Israelis living abroad to return home. In one commercial, an elderly couple in Israel with a menorah behind them asks their granddaughter in America, via Skype, what holiday she is celebrating. Instead of Hanukkah, the little girl giddily declares, "Christmas!" The grandparents respond with a concerned look. (Watch the clip, in Hebrew, below.) In another ad, the American boyfriend of an Israeli woman fails to understand her sadness on Israel's version of Memorial Day. Is this a perfectly reasonable appeal to expats' patriotism, or a slap in the face to American Jews?
The Netanyahu government is insulting Americans: "I don't think I have ever seen a demonstration of Israeli contempt for American Jews as obvious as these ads," says Jeffrey Goldberg at The Atlantic. "The message is: Dear American Jews, thank you for lobbying for American defense aid ... but, please, stay away from our sons and daughters." Apparently, Netanyahu's government thinks that "America is no place for a proper Jew." That's appalling.
"Netanyahu government suggests Israelis avoid marrying American Jews"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Israeli identity is different: "This ad is not about Jews, it's about Israelis," says Joel Braunold in Israel's Haaretz. The real message is that "you will always remain Israeli and your partner might not be able to understand what is important to you." In Israel, "the national identity and that of the Jewish people" are fused into one, and reminding expats of that is one way to get them to come home at a time when their country needs them.
"Embracing a hyphenated Jewish identity: in Israel and the Diaspora"
C'mon. There has to be a less offensive way to say this: "It's one thing for Israel to try and convince expats to come home lest they assimilate into a foreign culture," says Jonathan S. Tobin at Commentary. But it's quite another to imply that "hooking up with an American Jew will cause them to lose their secular Israeli identity." This strategy reinforces "the divide between Israelis and Americans rather than bridging it."
"Israel ad campaign targeting expats raises troubling questions of identity"
Watch one of the commercials, and judge for yourself:
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Selfies ban in art galleries: a sign of the times?
Talking Point Priceless art has been damaged by visitors desperate to take a snap with star attractions, leading some galleries and museums to start fighting back
-
Quiz of The Week: 21 – 27 June
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The Week Unwrapped: How do you turn plastics into paracetamol?
Podcast Plus, what is the Wagner Group doing now? And why is it so hard to find a job after university?
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy