Israeli President Warns of Rising Global Antisemitism

President Isaac Herzog of Israel issued a stark warning Tuesday regarding the escalating global antisemitism, highlighting a disturbing statistic that three out of every five students in the United Kingdom have experienced antisemitism. Speaking at the international conference of the "Voice of the People" (VoP) leadership network in Budapest, Hungary, Herzog emphasized the collective responsibility to combat this phenomenon. "Our responsibility is to fight this together," he stated, urging unity in the face of these challenges and recalling the Jewish concept of mutual responsibility. The conference showcased the inaugural cohort of VoP, a global initiative founded by Herzog to strengthen connections and develop solutions for the Jewish people. The current council comprises 150 Jewish entrepreneurs and leaders from Israel and the diaspora. Shira Dagan Levy, the organization's CEO, shared that the shared vision has become central to the network members' lives, with some even leaving stable jobs to dedicate themselves to developing the initiatives. Addressing internal societal divisions within Israel, Herzog acknowledged that disagreements are an inherent part of the Jewish narrative but stressed the importance of fostering connections, especially during challenging times. "The State of Israel is the home of the Jewish people and will always care for every Jew and Israeli worldwide, regardless of their views or the country they live in," he declared. "We are all part of a great historical narrative of a nation that continues to fight for its future." The President concluded his visit to Budapest with a meeting with local Jewish community leaders, discussing the challenges they face, the fight against antisemitism, and Hungary's solidarity with Israel since the October 7th outbreak of the war.