Jewish media outlets around the world unite for open letter against rising antisemitism
In an historic first, Jewish News in partnership with the Jerusalem Post brings together 30 outlets in seven countries to collectively publish a powerful open letter on rising antisemitism
In an unprecedented moment in Jewish history, more than 30 Jewish media outlets spanning borders, continents, and religious affiliations have united to pen a powerful and emotional open letter about the current situation in Israel and its impact on world Jewry as public protests against Israel rage, and levels of antisemitic attacks continue to rise.
The project was initiated by Jewish News in London and has been organised in partnership with The Jerusalem Post. It is supported by more than 30 outlets in seven countries.
Quoting the former British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who “astutely likened antisemitism to a constantly evolving virus”, the authors note how antisemitism is “a deeply ingrained malignancy, perpetually lingering beneath the surface of society,” arguing that “until recent days, the extent and intensity of this virulent strain of hatred were tragically underestimated.”
They note that “some of those who propagate hatred, concealing their prejudice under the veneer of being ‘anti-Israel’, no longer find it necessary to obscure their malice”, concluding that: “we’re witnessing raw hatred against Jews in cities across the globe… And yet, what we’ve seen so far isn’t even our worst fear. Our gravest concerns lie in what the future might hold.”
The letter continues to question the response from the wider world: “Why are so many good people still silent when cheerleaders for terrorists decide the worse massacre of our co-religionists since the Holocaust is a good moment to open up a second, global front targeting Jews on campus, at work and at home?”
Whilst the authors acknowledge that: “Clearly not everyone marching under the Palestinian flag fantasises about our deaths or the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state… please try to understand that whether it’s one person, 100 people or 10,000, the chilling impact of seeing so many people echo and excuse hateful chants is profound.”
Yet, despite these very real challenges and “the level of fear among our readers [being] like nothing in living memory”, the authors remain steadfast as they look to the future: “Please don’t, however, mistake this growing fear for a lack of determination to fight our corner as citizens deserving of support and protection in our home nations, or doubt our solidarity as a people numbering just 16 million. In fact, we’ve never been so determined, so energised, so united and so proud… The unity has been a light in the darkness.”
The letter concludes with a powerful plea: “we… call on the world to listen and treat us as you would want to be treated. It shouldn’t be too much to ask.”
Justin Cohen, news editor at Jewish News who initiated the project, said: “While fear among our readers hasn’t been this profound in living memory, so too we’ve never been so united across borders and political views. The fact that so many media outlets have been able to come together for the first time in Jewish history is yet another expression of the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, as Jews are targeted globally like never before. This project, however, is also an opportunity to thanks those who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us over the last four weeks: politicians, civic leaders, a small number of celebrities and people of all faiths and none.”
Zvika Klein, deputy editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post said: “As an Israeli news group telling the story of Israel to the Jewish world and of the Jewish world to Israelis, we are worried about the two fronts, threatening the Jewish people. This display of unity between journalists is moving, and will hopefully make the world understand: Never Again.”
This historic project was initiated by Jewish News in the UK and is organised in partnership with The Jerusalem Post. The publications supporting this initiative are:
Jewish News (UK); The Jerusalem Post; Australian Jewish News; Radio Chai (France); RCJ French Jewish radio; Radio Jai (Argentina); Cleveland Jewish News; Columbus Jewish News; Akron Jewish News; JNS; Jewish Telegraph (UK); Washington Jewish Week; South African Jewish Report; Jewish Exponent; The Jewish Journal; Baltimore Jewish Times; Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle; The Detroit Jewish News; Hadassah Magazine (US); IJN – Denver; The St. Louis Jewish Light; Enlacejudio.com (Mexico); The Jewish Standard; New Jersey Jewish News; The Jewish Star; Diario Judio (Mexico); Southern Jewish Life, the South’s Jewish magazine; TC Jewfolk; Cincy Jewfolk
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