Members of the J-50 Forum, which was founded at a May international conference against antisemitism, met from Sunday evening through Tuesday for the network’s first in-person event.
The meetings come amid rising antisemitism and terror incidents like the October Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation attack in Manchester and last Sunday’s Bondi Beach massacre.
The head of the Foreign Ministry’s Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions, Shuli Davidovich, said the communities would share best practices on security issues, address antisemitism, and counter anti-Israel radicalism.
Leaders from countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, and Germany participated in lectures by Foreign Ministry advisers on lawfare against Israel, navigating the media environment, and arguing on behalf of Israel.
The ministry runs many Diaspora projects, but Davidovich said community leaders might not be familiar with them unless they receive a briefing at events such as the conference.
Coordination was also a challenge given the number of organizations and communities, but the conference aimed to streamline communication channels.
Jewish Information and Documentation Centre chair Michel Kotek said that each country had its own circumstances, with some states having little antisemitism, but high levels of anti-Israel radicalism.
Belgium was one of the worst countries when it came to antisemitism, said Kotek, with a prosecution service that did not address reported crimes.
“It’s good to see others having the same issue, though not as heavy as ours, and discussing how we can counterattack antisemitism,” said Kotek.
The connections between the Foreign Ministry and Jewish communities were necessary, the Belgian activist said. He shared periodic updates with the ministry on antisemitism in the country.
“The Diaspora needs Israel as much as Israel needs the Diaspora,” he added.
Davidovich said the J-50 Forum was designed to establish daily contact between Foreign Ministry officials and community members, including through a dedicated WhatsApp group. Participants received a monthly briefing from the foreign minister via Zoom and planned to meet in person twice a year.
“They’re very connected to Israel, and we’re very connected to the communities. We’re deepening the ties now,” said Davidovich.
MFA plan to combat antisemitism
The project was part of the ministry’s greater efforts to combat antisemitism and ensure Holocaust remembrance, said Davidovich, and while deep ties already existed with Diaspora communities, these connections had become all the more important after Hamas’s October 7 massacre and subsequent wave of antisemitism.
“Israel’s responsibility goes beyond just its citizens; it has an international responsibility to the welfare and security of Jewish communities,” said Davidovich.
Members of the J-50 Forum, which was founded at a May international conference against antisemitism, met from Sunday evening through Tuesday for the network’s first in-person event.
The meetings come amid rising antisemitism and terror incidents like the October Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation attack in Manchester and last Sunday’s Bondi Beach massacre.
The head of the Foreign Ministry’s Bureau for World Jewish Affairs and World Religions, Shuli Davidovich, said the communities would share best practices on security issues, address antisemitism, and counter anti-Israel radicalism.
Leaders from countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, and Germany participated in lectures by Foreign Ministry advisers on lawfare against Israel, navigating the media environment, and arguing on behalf of Israel.
The ministry runs many Diaspora projects, but Davidovich said community leaders might not be familiar with them unless they receive a briefing at events such as the conference.
Coordination was also a challenge given the number of organizations and communities, but the conference aimed to streamline communication channels.
Jewish Information and Documentation Centre chair Michel Kotek said that each country had its own circumstances, with some states having little antisemitism, but high levels of anti-Israel radicalism.
Belgium was one of the worst countries when it came to antisemitism, said Kotek, with a prosecution service that did not address reported crimes.
“It’s good to see others having the same issue, though not as heavy as ours, and discussing how we can counterattack antisemitism,” said Kotek.
The connections between the Foreign Ministry and Jewish communities were necessary, the Belgian activist said. He shared periodic updates with the ministry on antisemitism in the country.
“The Diaspora needs Israel as much as Israel needs the Diaspora,” he added.
Davidovich said the J-50 Forum was designed to establish daily contact between Foreign Ministry officials and community members, including through a dedicated WhatsApp group. Participants received a monthly briefing from the foreign minister via Zoom and planned to meet in person twice a year.
“They’re very connected to Israel, and we’re very connected to the communities. We’re deepening the ties now,” said Davidovich.
The project was part of the ministry’s greater efforts to combat antisemitism and ensure Holocaust remembrance, said Davidovich, and while deep ties already existed with Diaspora communities, these connections had become all the more important after Hamas’s October 7 massacre and subsequent wave of antisemitism.
“Israel’s responsibility goes beyond just its citizens; it has an international responsibility to the welfare and security of Jewish communities,” said Davidovich.