It’s a tough job, and perhaps getting tougher, to be a public advocate for Israel. Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Israel Consul General of New York Ofir Akunis invited The Jewish Link once again to visit him in his Manhattan offices, and shared updates on his advocacy and projects in motion. Akunis not only is Israel’s top representative for New York and New Jersey, but also Pennsylvania, Delaware and Ohio.
A former member of the Knesset and minister of technology, Akunis started his diplomatic mission to New York in the spring of 2024. “This time, this moment, is a difficult situation for our people,” he said. “The last few weeks may have been the most difficult of the whole war, maybe from the establishment of the state of Israel.”
But, it was with a sense of steely determination that Akunis discussed the first of multiple planned publicity campaigns in Times Square, to bring awareness and advocacy to the ongoing plight of the hostages. Explaining his role in combating the modern blood libel that Palestinians themselves are dying of starvation in Gaza, Akunis instead shared a picture of Evyatar David, who has been held hostage now for more than 700 days.
“I want to describe the truth. It’s more than a blood libel. We remember the blood libel about Jews from 100 years ago, 200 years ago, and before. This one, the current one, is sponsored by Qatar: You should know it, this is the truth.
“Hamas is hosting negotiations from the tunnels that they built. This is absurd. I want not only the Jewish community but the international community to know the truth.” He then held up a picture that was shown as part of the first billboard campaign, showing a visibly emaciated David, taking a cup from a captor whose wrist is more than double in size. Our hostage has bones showing, his skin stretched over, and his captor clearly has more than enough nutrition to keep him healthy.
“Hamas has continued to steal the aid and kept it for themselves, but what about our hostages? Criticism of Israel must turn to criticism of Hamas, because since November of 2023, Israel has been shipping tons of humanitarian aid and medicine to the Gaza strip, and Hamas terrorists are stealing it and shooting Gazans who need it. And they are talking about the terrorists as if it is us, and parts of the media are repeating these lies. This is a modern blood libel and we need to turn this lie into truth.
“If someone wants to talk about starvation in Gaza, they should look at the pictures of our hostages.” In addition to David, Akunis plans to feature Rom Braslavski, who was working as a guard at the Nova Festival when he was taken hostage. Akunis had just this moment had a difficult conversation with Braslavski’s mother, who continues to advocate tirelessly for her son.
“But I am not pessimistic. We are a strong nation and this is a long journey.”
Akunis shared that he has a lot of respect for Israel’s allies such as England and Germany, even as they are now supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state. He spoke about how Margaret Thatcher was “England’s Golda,” and how without Winston Churchill, World War II may not have been won. But he is very clear-eyed about these countries’ current motivations. “After this war is over, and after our hostages are back with their families, there’s one thing that is not going to happen: Hamas is not going to be in the Gaza strip.”
“These leaders are weak in the presence of evil and lies, and afraid of their own Muslim population in their own countries. We will not have a Palestinian presence either in Yehuda or Shomron, where they will just use the region to attack us.
“This is a very good opportunity to say thank you to the United States, to President Trump, because he’s a real ally. Not just for when things are good, but during the tough times,” he added. “The American administration will not accept the idea of a Palestinian state.”
Akinus also said that the idea of Palestinian statehood is considered absurd at the current moment for Israel because Hamas, Islamic Jihad and their other allies have not yet paid the full price of Oct. 7. “I have a feeling that a few leaders around the world need to wake up, if they don’t want Palestinian states in their own countries in a few years. Today, it’s Israel; tomorrow it’s you.
“It reminds me of the ridiculous mobs here who are still shouting, ‘Globalize the intifada.’ It’s a synonym for ‘Death to America.’ They want to destroy our beloved countries. They want to destroy the idea of the United States of America. They want to force their rules on us. It’s not just a wake-up call for Israel; it should be a wake up call to the Western world.
“Usually we are not living in historic times, but these times are historic. These extremists are trying to put their views on us. And how can your friends support a cruel terror organization? We must turn the wheel back again, so the world will no longer be upside down. Democracy is not anarchy.”
With that, Akunis extended wishes for a good and healthy Rosh Hashanah and a peaceful new year for everyone in the region. Through the last two years, Akunis has brought Israel’s story to elected officials as well as Jewish communities all around the regions, for Shabbat visits and presentations, college campuses, receptions, business and technology events, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaShoah programs, the Salute to Israel Parade, Yom Ha’Atzmaut, the United Nations and in print, on television; and of course on social media, where his account @ofirakunis is one of the most interesting and important Zionist voices in New York.
To keep up with everything, follow @israelinnewyork for the “official account” of the Consulate General of Israel in New York.