Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dominated the headlines in the Israeli media Wednesday after giving a speech during his US tour in broken English.
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Speaking at a gala, Smotrich mispronounced words, saying "I have no dot" instead of "doubt" and "thanks for face" rather than "faith" as well as had trouble pronouncing such words as "perished" and "development."
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Opponents criticized Smotrich, saying his address was unprofessional and embarrassing. Critics also said his lack of knowledge of the English language was a reflection of the religious educational institutions that do not view secular studies, such as linguistics, as important.
The address gave rise to hundreds of memes and videos ridiculing Smotrich. The finance minister joins a series of Israeli politicians who tried to give an address in English while abroad, but failed and were ridiculed, such as Meretz leader Zahava Galon, former Labor chief Amir Peretz, and even Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz.
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