Akunis against the ultra-orthodox MK: "Defamation; take your words back"

Minister Ofir Akunis of the Likud, attacks his coalition partner, Knesset member Yisrael Eichler, and calls on him to go back on his words from last night that were said in response to the words of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As you may recall, last night Prime Minister Netanyahu called on passengers to Uman to reconsider their trip since "God has not always protected us." Netanyahu's words caused an uproar in the ultra-orthodox parties, with quite a few members of the Knesset publishing a statement condemning the words.

Among other things, Eichler's statement stood out, saying, among other things: "The Zionists alienated themselves from the Jews of the Diaspora. Some members of the Judenrat cooperated with the Nazis. Some trafficked and sold the Jews of the Diaspora. The Zionist leadership in Israel refused and failed the "rescue plans", Eichler wrote in the same statement in response to the words of Netanyahu when he added that "some Zionists even called the Jews of the ghettos 'human dust - let them go to their fate'".

Eichler's words aroused great anger among his fellow coalition members, when this morning it was Minister Akunis who sent him a public appeal: "New Year's Eve. A month of forgiveness for all Israeli ethnicities. I ask you, MK Eichler: What was the need for publishing your text yesterday evening? ".

Akunis added: "We've known each other for many, many years. Our lifestyles are different, it's no secret. I've always said and I'll continue to say: I'm Jewish, Zionist, and Israeli. Exactly in that order. Exactly."

The Minister of Science continued and wrote: "MK Eichler, Zionism was born from Judaism. Israeliness was born from Zionism. This is the correct order. This is what all the Jews in Israel have in common. Whether you like it or not."

MK Eichler, New Year's Eve and the eve of Judaism's holiest day, Yom Kippur. I am asking you and imploring you: go back, go back your blasphemy against the glorious Zionist movement. Against the movement of which I am proud, happy, and excited every day of my life, of which I am a part."