In the face of current challenges, Israel and the Jewish diaspora must maintain strong relationships.

The relationship between the Jewish diaspora and Israel has been a critical issue for Jewish communities worldwide since the establishment of the State of Israel. Despite the ups and downs of Israeli politics, these relationships, while complex, are constantly evolving. As a new government is slowly forming following the recent 25th Knesset elections, diaspora communities in Europe and North America are outraged by the careless words of some on the extreme religious right.

Maintaining strong ties with the diaspora is critical for the Israeli government. This diaspora is a vital source of not only economic but also cultural and political support for Israel. As these relationships deteriorate, Israel must rise to the challenges confronting the Jewish diaspora around the world. Knowing that the first challenge confronting the global Jewish community is antisemitism and all forms of hatred associated with it, the recent case of Kanye West demonstrates how critical it is for the Jewish diaspora and Israel to remain united in order to face these threats.

Israel has nothing to lose by caving in to the extreme factions of its incoming government, and the Likud must fight any attempt by these groups to sever these ties. Especially since the values that gave birth to Israel are those of refuge and brotherhood.

These brotherhood-based relationships must endure, especially when it comes to women's and LGBT rights. As the world, particularly the United States, suffers a significant setback on the issue of abortion, Israel must continue to set an example for the world and the Middle East in protecting the rights of women and LGBT people.

Although the LGBT community in Israel has more rights than elsewhere in the Middle East, the most extreme members of the Knesset continue to discriminate against it. Binyamin Netanyahu (Likud) appointed Avi Maoz (Noam) to the ministerial portfolio of "Jewish Identity", in charge of school programs among other things, a few days ago. Avi Maoz, whose sole political goal is to deprive women and LGBT people of all rights. It is therefore critical that members of the Knesset who still care about the concept of liberty, which is the very foundation of democracy, do everything in their power to avoid a significant setback in women's and LGBT rights. The Likud, historically a liberal party, must remember that political liberalism is a philosophy that emphasizes every individual's rights.

As we were during the Coronavirus crisis, Israel must be a model for other nations in terms of respecting individual freedoms, and the Israeli government must lead by example by ensuring equal rights for all citizens, adhering to liberal values, and avoiding any form of religious fanaticism. By doing so, Israel will be able to maintain its ties with the Jewish diaspora while remaining a strong, forward-thinking country. The relationship between the Jewish diaspora and Israel is critical for both parties, and the Israeli government must do everything possible to maintain these relationships.