A prominent Jewish leader in the United States has expressed strong criticism against Nalin Haley, the son of former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, following his online comments directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The controversy has sparked a heated debate about religious solidarity and political propriety.
Nalin Haley's Provocative Invitation to Netanyahu
The online squabble began when Nalin Haley, who has recently emerged as a social media commentator on issues like the H-1B visa and US politics, addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu directly. He suggested that if the Israeli leader truly wanted to show solidarity with the United States and its Christian community during his visit, he should attend a Catholic Mass.
"If you really want to show solidarity with the United States and the Christian community, you should attend Mass while in America," Nalin Haley wrote. He added, "It’s the least you could do since all our politicians visit the wall while in Israel. Mass is open to everyone, consider it. Christ is King."
Rabbi Litvin's Strong Condemnation
The post drew immediate backlash from many social media users, who pointed out that America is not exclusively a Catholic nation and questioned Nalin Haley's authority to dictate the schedule of a visiting head of state. The most notable criticism came from Rabbi S Litvin, chairman of the Kentucky Jewish Council.
In a sharp response, Rabbi Litvin revealed his past admiration for Nikki Haley but stated he was now relieved she did not become president. "I have been a longtime fan of Ambassador Haley. Her response to the AME shooting, her leadership at the UN, & her story all inspire me. I once hoped she would be president," he wrote. "Today, I find myself glad she lost, just to keep this vile, Anti-American bigot out of the White House."
Haley's Defence and MAGA's Disavowal
Nikki Haley entered the fray to defend her son, questioning the logic behind labelling an invitation to Mass as 'anti-American'. "Inviting someone to Mass and saying it’s open to everyone makes you an Anti-American bigot?" she wrote. "You should ask yourself why that upsets you so much. I don’t remember having that reaction whenever someone invited me to Israel, Shabbat, or a bar mitzvah."
The incident also highlighted Nalin Haley's complicated position within the Republican political sphere. Despite his commentary on party issues, the MAGA faction does not consider him an ally and has previously targeted him over his Indian origin.
The exchange underscores the sensitive intersections of religion, diplomacy, and domestic politics in the US. It raises questions about the boundaries of political commentary from family members of public figures and the expectations placed on foreign leaders during state visits. The fallout from this online debate continues to resonate, reflecting deeper cultural and religious tensions within the American political landscape.
