Anti-Semitism and delegitimization of the State of Israel in the West will worsen should the Prime Minister's Office close its Diaspora affairs division, former minister Natan Sharansky warned yesterday.

Haaretz reported Friday that the last PMO staffers involved in the campaign against anti-Semitism and in maintaining Israel's connection with foreign Jewish communities, had received their pink slips. This follows more than a year in which no cabinet minister has held the Diaspora affairs portfolio.

The PMO stated in response that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will soon appoint a minister who will be responsible for this portfolio. Sharansky, who served as Diaspora affairs minister from 2003 through 2005 under prime minister Ariel Sharon, believes that the fact that no one was acting in that capacity substantially damaged Israel's standing during the recent Lebanon war.

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In an interview with Haaretz, Sharansky stated: "Anti-Semitism and radical anti-Israel sentiment are indistinguishable today.

"During the recent war, prominent Jewish figures like Professors Alan Dershowitz and Irwin Cotler wanted to respond to charges against Israel, but had no one to turn to in the cabinet. That front was entirely neglected during the war."

Anti-Semitism campaign nixed

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni recently decided that the campaign against anti-Semitism would be handled by the Foreign Ministry. The ministry says its activity in this area has recently been expanded and a special division was created to handle matters including Holocaust commemoration.

After a two-year hiatus, the Global Forum Against Anti-Semitism will meet next week at ministry offices in Jerusalem.

Sharansky praised the idea of convening all the central Jewish organization involved in the matter, but believes the Foreign Ministry cannot effectively replace a minister dedicated to Diaspora affairs.

"Officials, no matter how talented, do not have the skills to create policy coordinated among all the entities and organizations involved. That can only be done by a minister backed directly by the prime minister," Sharansky argued.