US calls possible new Israeli consul's rhetoric 'particularly damaging'

Past comments made by May Golan, who has reportedly been offered the position of Israel's consul-general in New York, are "particularly damaging", US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Friday morning.

Golan has stated in the past that she is "proud to be a racist" and has repeatedly attacked African asylum seekers living in Tel Aviv.

When asked about the reported appointment of Golan to the position and Golan's past statements, Patel referred the journalist asking the question to speak with the Israeli government about personnel announcements, but added that "we would condemn such kind of rhetoric and believe that such kind of language is also particularly damaging when it’s amplified in leadership positions."

Golan, a minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said on Thursday that, should she be chosen for the role, she will "100% represent the mainstream policies of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and the Likud party to which I belong.

"I am completely committed to the unity of the Jewish people, and that is the exact policy that I will follow," Golan wrote on Twitter. "If appointed, I will work with the leaders of all the Jewish organizations - as part of the effort to strengthen the great partnership between Israel and the American Jewish communities."

I am very flattetrd to be considered for the post of Israel's consul general in NY. I want to assure everyone that if I will be appointed, I will represent 100% the mainstream policies of PM Netanyahu and the Likud party to which I belong. I am completely committed to the…

— May Golan מאי גולן (@GolanMay) April 20, 2023

Golan was previously promised to head a new Women's Status Ministry, with an announcement coming in late March. The minister has yet to be officially voted into her role in the new ministry.

Golan, 36, has long been a vociferous advocate for curbing the High Court's power in the Knesset. Speculation that Netanyahu sought to ship Golan to New York to remove a firebrand supporter of the judicial reform from the Knesset prompted a denial from his Likud Party.

If appointed as the new consul-general in New York, Golan would replace Asaf Zamir, who resigned last month in protest of Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reform.

Ron Kampeas/JTA contributed to this report.