Jerusalem mayor urges Jews to connect with Israel amid rising antisemitism

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion delivered a stark warning about escalating global antisemitism at a Jerusalem Post reception in New York. He urged Jewish communities worldwide to deepen their ties to Israel, highlighting a concerning shift in how Israelis perceive the safety of Jews abroad.

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For decades, The Jerusalem Post was the newspaper Jews around the world would read to check if the people of Israel were safe. Today, sadly, it is the paper many Israelis read to check if you are safe.

Lion noted that The Jerusalem Post, once read by Jews globally to gauge Israel's security, is now read by many Israelis to assess the safety of Jews in the Diaspora. "Today, sadly, it is the paper many Israelis read to check if you are safe," he stated, underscoring the growing threat.

The mayor described the current rise in antisemitic incidents across the West as increasingly visible, vocal, and violent. He cited attacks in major cities like New York and London, warning that antisemitism is spreading like a plague and is no longer confined to the shadows. Lion also expressed gratitude for US support of Israel, particularly during recent confrontations.

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Antisemitism is no longer hiding in the shadows. It is out in the open. It is loud. It is violent. And it is spreading across the world like a plague.

Amidst these global challenges, Lion asserted that Israel remains a unique sanctuary. Despite facing its own threats, he argued that the Jewish state is the only place where Jews can guarantee their self-determination and defense, encouraging a stronger connection to the homeland.

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Many Jews always had an emergency plan. A red button to hit. For more and more Jews, the time has come to smash the glass and pull the emergency lever.