Israel’s foreign minister calls on Jews in Western nations to emigrate to Israel, citing rising antisemitism after the deadly Sydney shooting.
JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar (pic) has called on Jews in Western nations to move to Israel to escape rising antisemitism.
His appeal comes one week after 15 people were shot dead at a Jewish event in Sydney.
“Jews have the right to live in safety everywhere,” Saar said at a public candle lighting for Hanukkah.
“Today, Jews are being hunted across the world.”
He directly addressed Jewish communities in several countries during the ceremony.
“Today I call on Jews in England, Jews in France, Jews in Australia, Jews in Canada, Jews in Belgium: come to the Land of Israel! Come home!” Saar stated.
The event was held with leaders of Jewish communities and organisations worldwide.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly denounced a surge in antisemitism in Western countries since the Gaza war began.
They have accused foreign governments of failing to curb it.
The war was sparked by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Australian authorities say the December 14 attack in Sydney was inspired by Islamic State ideology.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently urged Western governments to better protect Jewish citizens.
“I demand that Western governments do what is necessary to fight antisemitism,” Netanyahu said in a video address.
In October, Saar accused British authorities of failing to act against a “toxic wave of antisemitism.”
This followed a deadly attack outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur.
Israel’s 1950 “Law of Return” grants any Jewish person the right to settle in Israel and acquire citizenship.
The law also applies to individuals with at least one Jewish grandparent. – AFP
