Naftali Bennett appeared to criticise diaspora Jews as he prepares to spearhead a new initiative to persuade French Jews to make aliyah.
In a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Mr Bennett said there was an “unprecedented crisis” between the Jewish State and the diaspora, according to reports.
Mr Bennett, who heads both the Education and Diaspora ministries in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, said: “We’re used to being told that it’s because of [prayer rules at] the Western Wall, the Palestinian issue and other ideological controversies. It’s not correct.
"There is a problem of serious assimilation, and a growing apathy among Jews in the diaspora, both about their Jewish identity, and their connection to Israel. That's the key story and it's a national challenge."
