In a special interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, the leader of the Reform movement in the United States and all of North America, Rabbi Rick Jacobs warned Israelis that the appointment of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich as senior ministers will result in a disconnection with diaspora Jews; and even a possible crisis with the US government. Jacobs has been a steadfast supporter of Palestinian rights and a vocal critic of Israeli policies. In 2018 Rabbi Jacobs applauded President Trump's move of the U.S embassy to Jerusalem but demanded he back a two-state solution.

"In America, there is a feeling that appointing Itamar Ben Gvir as Minister of Internal Security is like appointing David Duke, one of the leaders of the antisemitic Ku Klux Klan, as Attorney General," Rabbi Jacobs told the Israeli newspaper. 

"This is a man who has made a career out of hatred and encouraging violence. Since we love Israel and believe in it as a Jewish and democratic state, we are very concerned about Israel's existence and its place in the world."

If you follow topic this is full of insights about Ben Gvir joining cabinet/worsening right wing politics in Israel.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism,…“dreads” the day when the U.S. and Israel’s “shared values become racism.” https://t.co/8gaflDZ6Sy

— Joseph Saltarelli 🇺🇳🌎🌍🌏 (@JoeJSaltarelli) October 28, 2022

According to him, the appointments are expected to arouse opposition among the US administration as well, and it is even possible that Itamar Ben Gvir will not be allowed to enter the US at all. "It is a big question mark if people in Washington will want to talk to them," he says.  

“These positions are not only an internal matter in Israel. This requires interaction with personalities all over the world - and it is clear that they are two challenging politicians for international leaders, whether to talk to them and hold contact with them. I can imagine that many leaders will find it very difficult to meet with them. I am afraid that every time they are interviewed, the voices they bring will be stronger than other voices in Israel, and that is very dangerous."

Ben Gvir wants conversions to adhere to established Orthodox practices- that is all! He never said that Reform Jews are not Jews , or any such thing. He has a right to his perception of the tenets of his religion- the same right you have too- as much as they differ from Ben Gvir!

— Nathan Begelman (@docbegel) November 14, 2022

According to Jacobs, who represents many progressive-liberal Jewish voices in the Diaspora, "For the majority of American Jews, it is inconceivable that someone like Itamar Ben Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich would not only be in the Knesset but would even be appointed as senior government ministers. 

.@URJPresident Rick Jacobs says appointing Kahanist Itamar Ben Gvir police minister “is like appointing KKK leader David Duke attorney general… Most American Jews find it unimaginable that someone like Ben Gvir or Bezalel Smotrich would be the face & voice of modern Israel.” Yup pic.twitter.com/Ft60IhyTci

— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) November 20, 2022

“When they talk about a variety of issues, they will be the face and voice of modern Israel. Honestly, this is a scary thought to me. They are people who have made a career out of being against non-Orthodox Jews, Israeli Arabs, Palestinians, and LGBTQ people. They represent an extreme view of Judaism and the State of Israel. We are very concerned about this. Our connection to Israel is not through politicians or parties. Our connection is to the people and the ideals on which Israel was built."

The office of the chairman of the religious Zionist party, Bezalel Smotrich, responded to Rabbi Jacobs's claims: "Israel is a democratic country and everyone is expected to respect the decision of the people in Israel. The connection between Israel and Diaspora Jewry is too important, and no one will be allowed to unravel this strong connection."