Israel’s President Tells Jews to ‘Stand Strong’ Amid Rising Antisemitism, Says Campuses ‘Contaminated by Hatred’

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog delivers a speech during a tribute ceremony at the Halle aux Grains in Toulouse, southern France, on March 20, 2022. Photo: Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has released an impassioned message of support to Jewish communities around the world ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day next week and amid an eruption of anti-Israel protests on university campuses in the US and elsewhere.

In remarks published on X/Twitter on Thursday, Herzog urged Jews in the diaspora to stand strong and united despite a steep rise in global antisemitism following the Hamas terror group’s Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel.

“The people of Israel are with you,” he said. “We hear you. We see the shameless hostility and threats. We feel the insult, the breach of faith and breach of friendship. We share the apprehension and concern.”

To our sisters and brothers around the world: The people of Israel hear you. The people of Israel stand with you. Do not fear. Stand strong. Together we will overcome.

Watch my special message to Jewish communities and supporters of Israel all around the world. pic.twitter.com/ahRyfZ44VH

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) May 2, 2024

Herzog then turned his attention to the university protests that have engulfed campuses in the US, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world.

“We see prominent academic institutions, halls of history, culture, and education contaminated by hatred and antisemitism fueled by arrogance and ignorance, and driven by moral failings and disinformation,” the Israeli president said. “We watch in horror as the atrocities of Oct. 7 against Israel are celebrated and justified. We hear you. We recognize your heroic efforts. We are with you, and we are here for you.”

For the past two weeks, college students have been amassing in the hundreds at a growing number of schools, taking over sections of campuses by setting up “Gaza Solidarity Encampments” and refusing to leave unless administrators condemn and boycott Israel. Footage of the protests has shown demonstrators chanting in support of Hamas, calling for the destruction of Israel, and even threatening to harm members of the Jewish community on campus. In many cases, activists have also lambasted the US and Western civilization more broadly.

The protests initially erupted across the US but have since spread to university campuses around the world, primarily in the West.

“In the face of violence, harassment, and intimidation, as masked cowards smash windows and smash doors, as they attack the truth and manipulate history, together, we stand strong,” Herzog asserted. “As they chant for intifada and genocide, we will work together to free our hostages held by Hamas, and fight for civil liberties of the entire free world and our right to believe and belong, for the right to live proudly, peacefully and securely, as Jews, as Israelis — anywhere.”

Herzog noted that Jews around the world will be commemorating Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, on Monday, adding that Israel, the world’s lone Jewish state, offers the Jewish people hope in the face of surging antisemitism.

“We will speak of the dark times of the past, and we will remember the miracle of our rebirth: in our ancient homeland, the Jewish, democratic State of Israel, and throughout the Jewish world,” he said.

“Together, we shall overcome, Herzog continued. “In the face of this terrifying resurgence of antisemitism: Do not fear. Stand proud. Stand strong for your freedom.”

Herzog’s comments came about two weeks after the Anti-Defamation League released a report showing antisemitic incidents in the US rose 140 percent last year, reaching a record high. Most of the outrages occurred after Oct. 7, during the ensuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

On college campuses specifically, the ADL report found that antisemitic incidents rose 321 percent, disrupting the studies of Jewish students and leaving them uncertain about the fate of the American Jewish community.

Meanwhile, antisemitic incidents have also skyrocketed to record highs in several other countries around the world, especially in Europe, since the Hamas atrocities of Oct. 7.

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