Hundreds of leaders of European Jewish communities were supposed to meet with Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli on Sunday evening during the Summit of European Jewish Leaders in Berlin, whose arrival saw general opposition from the audience in attendance. The Jerusalem Post has learned that Chikli decided not to speak at the event.
When it was announced at the opening plenary that one of the main speakers would be Chikli, many in the audience booed in response. This, in the wake of the coalition's push to pass the controversial judicial reforms.
Many Israelis, Jews and anti-Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister @AmichaiChikli outside of the Summit of European Jewish Leaders in Berlin this evening.Chikli has just arrived to the conference.@Jerusalem_Post pic.twitter.com/hPUmGkVePV
— Zvika Klein צביקה קליין (@ZvikaKlein) March 26, 2023
Sources in the organizations at the conference said that organizers recommended the minister not speak at the event due to widespread animosity amongst the participants.
Chikli arrived at the hotel in the evening, while many Israelis and German Jews protested against him. When it was announced at the conference that the minister wouldn't be able to speak at the event, many in the audience applauded with content.
Chikli's explanation for not speaking
On behalf of Chikli, it was explained that he didn't speak at the conference because of the flight delay. It is unclear if he'll speak at the conference on Monday. He is also expected to speak at an event of Elnet, a pro-Israel European organization on Monday, as well as meet with senior German ministers and with the Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor. He is also expected to visit France and the UK later this week, but Chikli may actually return to Israel earlier than expected because of the tense political situation.