ByMICHAEL STARR
Updated:

Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism Michal Cotler-Wunsh resigned from her volunteer position on Monday in response to the failures of the government to develop a strategy to combat rising global antisemitism and to engage with the issue and her office, according to a press release by the former Knesset member.
 
Cotler-Wunsh said that a few weeks ago, she had received a government proposal for “continued engagement” that didn’t reflect the challenges of antisemitism, recognize the imperative of the role, or implement a national strategy against antisemitism as part of the state’s foreign and security policy.
 
While Israel was engaged in an existential war, what the ex-envoy described as the eighth front of antisemitism was being waged “without a comprehensive strategy or authority that enables and equips to fight in the manner necessary.”
 
This included the recognition of the role of the antisemitism special envoy around the world and in Israel, said Cotler-Wunsh, who claimed to have repeatedly asked the Foreign Ministry to institutionalize the role. She claimed to have submitted several drafts for the establishment of infrastructure, including cross-ministerial and organizational collaborations.

Recommendations ignored


Cotler-Wunsh said that these recommendations, and others more broadly on the matter of antisemitism, were ignored as she unsuccessfully attempted to meet to update and engage with officials in the government, Knesset, ministries, and other institutions.

THE WRITER, then serving as MK, poses for a portrait at the Knesset last year. Olim are acutely aware and prepared to ask critical questions.
THE WRITER, then serving as MK, poses for a portrait at the Knesset last year. Olim are acutely aware and prepared to ask critical questions. (credit: FLASH90)


 
A few weeks after the outbreak of the war, the Foreign Ministry’s deputy director-general allegedly informed Cotler-Wunsh that the originally agreed-upon arrangement and budget for her office was being cut and was no longer approved. Without a budget, the volunteer envoy’s efforts abroad were initiated by inviting parties as the sponsors of the projects.

 
Cotler-Wunsh had been appointed to the position in September 2023 by then-foreign minister Eli Cohen. She said in her statement that at the time of the appointment, there was no existing infrastructure in Israel for the role, in contrast to her counterparts around the world.
 
The Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to queries from The Jerusalem Post for comment on the resignation.