After mockery of 'Russian' accent: Minister Shikli refuses to apologize

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Shikli (Likud) refused to apologize for parodying Avigdor Liberman's 'Russian' accent on the radio, calling it a 'cute joke.' The incident sparked outrage in Israel's Russian-speaking community, with Yisrael Beiteinu leader Liberman calling the minister's behavior racism. Shikli stated he does not intend to apologize and accused the media of bias.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Shikli (Likud) refused to apologize for an incident in which he mimicked the 'Russian' accent of Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Liberman on the airwaves of Radio Tzafon. On 103FM, when directly asked by the hosts about his intention to apologize, Shikli refused, calling his stunt a 'cute joke' and stating that 'a little humor from time to time won't hurt.' He also complained about media bias, claiming that 'public storms' are directed only against him and host Inon Magal. The incident caused widespread resonance. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman called the minister's behavior 'humiliation based on origin' and 'racism emanating from the highest echelons of Likud.' Yisrael Beiteinu faction head Oded Forer, in a studio interview with Vesti, linked Shikli's behavior to 'election panic in the coalition' and 'total detachment of the government from the people,' reminding that tens of thousands of soldiers with a Russian accent are fighting on the front lines. Outrage was also expressed by well-known Russian-speaking Israelis: Olympic judo medalist Peter Paltchik called the minister's behavior 'simply shameful,' and actor and special forces fighter Dean Miroshnikov recorded a video message. Many in the Russian-speaking community perceived the incident as an insult, especially given that Shikli holds the position of minister for combating antisemitism.