Israel to honour Diaspora victims of antisemitic attacks on Yom Hazikaron
Historic initiative will include provision of educational resources for schools in the Jewish State
The Israeli government announced on Monday that it will officially honour the memory of non-Israeli citizens in the Diaspora during Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) who have been murdered in antisemitic attacks around the world.
The initiative is the first of its kind in Israel’s history and was proposed by Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli.
It marks the government’s adoption of “The Ruderman Roadmap” — strategic guidelines offered by the Ruderman Family Foundation which recognise Israel’s obligation as the nation-state of the Jewish people globally.
The move also comes amid an unprecedented wave of antisemitism worldwide during the Iron Swords War and in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
By commemorating the victims of antisemitism and sharing their stories, the government aims to strengthen Jewish identity and connections to Israel, and to foster solidarity between the Israeli people and Diaspora Jewry.
Additional recommendations include creating a dedicated monument for the victims, a first-of-its-kind website with a database of the victims and their stories, and a curriculum to be implemented by the country’s formal and informal education system and other entities.
Shira Ruderman, executive director of the Ruderman Family Foundation said: “This is a courageous government decision that strengthens the bond of shared destiny between Israel and the Jewish world, which has become more evident than ever since October 7th.
“I congratulate the government of Israel on approving the decision we initiated, which includes worthy elements in the commemoration of Jews who were murdered simply because of their Jewish identity and due to antisemitism. This is an historic day where the State of Israel has proven that only through our unity as a people and the mutual responsibility between us can we ensure security.”
The Ruderman Family Foundation’s role in the government’s decision reflects the Foundation’s mission to strengthen relations between Israel and world Jewry, including through engaging with Israeli policymakers and broadening their understanding of the American Jewish community.
Minister Chikli said: “Hostile actions often target the Jewish people, both within our borders and across the sea. The October 7th massacre and the Iron Swords War were launched against Israel for one reason: hatred of Jews and hatred of Israel. This is also the sole reason our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora suffer from severe and appalling antisemitic events.
“Israel’s official recognition for the victims of antisemitic violence is an important and necessary step — a step that implements the state’s commitment under the law, which stipulates that ‘the state will ensure the safety of the Jewish people and their citizens who are in distress and captivity because of their Judaism or citizenship.’”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
