Former Israeli prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have introduced a policy proposal aimed at changing Israel’s relationship with Jewish communities worldwide, including plans to restructure government responsibilities for Diaspora affairs and establish new channels of representation.

The proposal, advanced by their B’Yachad party ahead of the October 27 Knesset election, calls for incorporating the Diaspora Affairs Ministry into the Foreign Ministry and establishing a dedicated council representing Jewish communities outside Israel.

The plan would also establish an observer-level representative for Diaspora Jewry within the Knesset, allowing participation in selected parliamentary committee discussions concerning issues affecting Jewish communities abroad. Additional proposals include educational initiatives, expanded Hebrew-language programs and the creation of a national authority dedicated to combating antisemitism.

The party also addressed religious arrangements at the Kosel, pledging to respect existing prayer arrangements at the main Kosel Plaza while maintaining Robinson’s Arch as an area for alternative religious gatherings. Bennett and Lapid presented the proposals as part of their party’s platform for the upcoming election.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)