Jewish leaders unite in Berlin against rising Antisemitism

In a significant step to address rising global antisemitism, representatives from the seven largest Jewish diaspora communities, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Argentina, and Australia, gathered in Berlin this week to establish the J7 Task Force. Initiated by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and hosted by the Central Council of Jews in Germany, the task force aims to develop coordinated strategies to monitor and combat antisemitism worldwide. The forum, comprising community leaders, seeks unified solutions to this persistent threat, which has surged in various regions despite a reported decline in incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, according to Tel Aviv University’s 2024 Antisemitism Report.

The university’s report, compiled by the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the Irwin Cotler Institute, revealed that global anti-Semitic incidents peaked in October-December 2023, following Hamas’s attack on Israel, but dropped sharply by late 2024. Prof. Uriya Shavit, the report’s lead editor, noted, “Antisemitism reared its head when the Jewish state appeared at its weakest.” Despite the overall decline, countries like Australia (1,713 incidents), Canada (6,219), and Italy (877) saw significant increases in 2024, with Australia doubling its 2023 figures, prompting stricter hate crime laws. The U.S. reported moderate rises in cities like New York and Chicago, while France saw fewer incidents but a rise in physical assaults (106 vs. 85). Germany and the UK recorded slight declines.

A study within the report, conducted by Avi Taich, highlighted law enforcement’s limited response, with less than 10% of anti-Semitic assault complaints in cities like New York and London leading to arrests from 2021-2023. These findings contrast with a Jewish Agency report claiming a sharp rise in 2024 incidents, underscoring varying methodologies. The J7 Task Force’s formation reflects urgency, as communities face ongoing challenges, including weak legal accountability and spikes in anti-Semitic violence, necessitating robust, collaborative action to safeguard Jewish diaspora communities.