Israeli education minister Rafi Peretz likens Jewish intermarriage to ‘second Holocaust’

• COMMENT: If you want to stop exploitation of the Holocaust abroad, stamp it out at home

It triggered a furious response from Jewish groups in the United States.

The American Jewish Committee said Mr Peretz’s comments were “offensive and unhelpful”, while Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League said they were “inconceivable”.

Assimilation challenges Jewish continuity and Diaspora identification with Israel and must be grappled with. Minister Peretz’s comments, however, are offensive and unhelpful.
For something longer than 280 characters on this, read: https://t.co/l9zL75hJQqhttps://t.co/UJWpmNDLGp

— AJC (@AJCGlobal) July 9, 2019

Meanwhile, political analyst Arsen Ostrovsky said the remarks were “indeed most unfortunate” but added that the minister’s wider point “remains — sadly — accurate. The alarming rate of intermarriage is a very dangerous trend, with many young Jews becoming increasingly detached.”

Mr Peretz, who leads the Jewish Home party, recently announced the United Right List would run again in the September 17 election.

The far-right Tkuma party has already confirmed its participation, but it is unclear whether the Kahanist Otzma Yehudit will be part of the alliance again.