The notion of a rift between Israel and the diaspora is as old as Israel itself. But it comes to something when the Israeli specifically charged with diaspora relations  speaks of an “unprecedented crisis” between the Jewish state and Jews elsewhere.

Typically, however, Naftali Bennett, the minister for the diaspora, gets things precisely the wrong way round. He is certainly not alone in pushing the idea that diaspora Jews increasingly no longer care about Israel. But this is the opposite of the case.

The diaspora does care, profoundly and deeply, about Israel — but to politicians of Mr Bennett’s stripe, caring about Israel means unquestioning support of whatever he and his fellow ministers do in government. If we dare to express a more nuanced view, we are told that we do not understand Israel, we do not live there and we should stop interfering in its business. But what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. 

In October, Mr Bennett flew to Pittsburgh after the murder of eleven Jews to show solidarity. But when American Jews expressed their disgust at President Trump’s attempts to do the same, given his role in inflaming tensions, Mr Bennett did exactly what diaspora Jews are accused of doing with regard to Israel, tweeting fulsome praise for the President and criticising “people [who] are using this horrific antisemitic act to attack @realdonaldtrump.”

He then disputed the US Anti Defamation League’s statistics showing a 57 per cent increase in antisemitic attacks — the largest since records began — in 2017, President Trump’s first year in office, saying he was “not sure there’s a surge in antisemitism in the United States… I’m not convinced those are the facts.”

Mr Bennett is of course entitled to reject the idea that diaspora Jews should feel able to take a view on Israel. But he is not entitled to pretend that we do not care.