Amichai Chikli, Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Social Equality, recently expressed concerns to Fox News Digital regarding Alex Soros's succession of his father, George Soros, at the helm of the Open Society Foundations. Chikli questioned whether Alex would perpetuate his father's perceived anti-Israel stance, particularly regarding the funding of organizations critical of the Jewish state.
Chikli highlighted two NGOs, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and J Street, as examples of organizations funded by the Open Society Foundations that have drawn criticism for their positions on Israel. He criticized HRW for labeling Israel an apartheid state and J Street for supporting initiatives seen as favorable to Iran and the Palestinians. He also pointed to Adalah, another NGO, for its alleged denial of Israel's identity as a Jewish state.
Chikli further criticized George Soros and the organizations he funds for their rejection of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. He argued that Soros uses these organizations to obstruct the implementation of the IHRA definition, which includes certain criticisms of Israel as potentially antisemitic. Alex Soros himself has publicly criticized the IHRA definition for potentially stifling legitimate criticism of Israeli policies.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center suggested alternative philanthropic avenues for Alex Soros, such as focusing on universal education and healthcare. He emphasized the importance of respecting Israel's right to exist.
Others, like author Rachel Ehrenfeld and former federal prosecutor Will Scharf, expressed apprehension about Alex Soros continuing his father's legacy. Conversely, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin defended the Open Society Foundations' work in promoting democracy and human rights, highlighting the organization's contributions to post-communist Eastern Europe. He also argued that American Jews largely hold liberal views and support peace between Israel and Palestine, suggesting that Chikli's perspective is outdated.
