Herzog tells Australian Jews rise in antisemitism most critical issue for Diaspora communities

The “terrible” rise in antisemitism in Australia reflects a trend that is now the most critical challenge for Jews in the Diaspora, President Isaac Herzog tells members of the Australian Jewish community visiting Israel.

Speaking at an event hosted by Voice of the People (VoP), Herzog commends Australia’s strong education and legal systems, emphasizing that Jewish institutions must be secured and protected “to ensure that Jewish life continues without harassment.”

Herzog’s comments come after the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) published a report that there were more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents on the continent during the past year, more than four times than in the previous year. These included anti-Israel protests outside synagogues and Jewish schools, anti-Israel activists targeting small businesses owned by Jewish families, Jewish homes targeted with hate graffiti and stickers, and a huge increase in physical assaults against Jews and verbal abuse on the streets.

“This initiative feels more vital and urgent than ever,” says Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler. “The Australian Jewish community and our allies stand with Israel in hope and determination.”

VoP is an initiative led by Herzog to engage Jewish communities outside of Israel to collectively identify, discuss, and address the most pressing immediate and long-term challenges affecting the Jewish people, including the challenges of antisemitism.