Gantz: Ask not what world Jewry did for Israel, but what we can do for world Jewry

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, addressing a Makor Rishon conference, says Israel must do more to support world Jewry, particularly now as it struggles with the pandemic and rising anti-Semitism.

“Since the founding of the State of Israel, its diaspora has been the source of strength. We must ask, what have you done for your people? For Diaspora Jewry the answer is obvious, from the women of Hadassah through the lone soldiers… Diaspora Jewry is an ally of Israel on every front, empowering and embracing, building foundations. Have we asked [ourselves] what we’ve done for them?”

He says that now, facing the coronavirus crisis and growing anti-Jewish sentiment, “we must learn to be there for them, now and forever. To provide spiritual comfort, to be a source of strength, to assist in enabling Jewish communal life. Not only with slogans, but with actions.”