Netanyahu: Antisemitism is a ‘battle over the future of civilization’

The fight against antisemitism is a global battle over the future of civilization, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says at a gala event launching the government-sponsored International Conference on Combating Antisemitism.

“Racism has existed throughout history. That’s not what antisemitism is,” Netanyahu tells attendees at Jerusalem’s International Convention Center. “Antisemitism began as a creed 2,500 years ago, 500 years before the birth of Christianity, with an ideological attack against the Jews that kept on metamorphosing over centuries.”

Netanyahu celebrated the return of the body of Ran Gvili, the final hostage held in Gaza, earlier today.

“We said we’d bring him back,” Netanyahu says. “He was the first to come in, and he was the last to leave. A hero of Israel. Rani is back. There are no more hostages in Gaza. It’s a tremendous achievement for our heroic forces, our soldiers, and our commanders.”

Addressing young Jews facing hostility abroad, Netanyahu urges defiance. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t cower. Speak up. Stand up. Fight back,” he says. “If we fight, we win.”

Netanyahu praises foreign dignitaries in attendance, including former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, former Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and Argentine Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, as well as US antisemitism envoy Leo Terrell.

Earlier in the evening, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli presented an award of honor to Terrell “for his determined and sustained efforts to confront the growing wave of antisemitism in the United States, particularly on university campuses.” He also honored slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk with an award presented to his personal pastor, Rob McCoy.