Israeli President Warns Antisemitism Is a 'Poison' to Societies Amid Rising Hate Crimes

In a recent interview at his official residence

In a recent interview at his official residence in Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke out against the global rise of antisemitism, describing it as a dangerous affliction that not only threatens Jewish communities but also undermines the very fabric of democratic societies. He emphasized that this is not a problem for Jews or Israel alone, but a societal issue requiring a unified global response.

Herzog noted that antisemitism often begins with attacks on Jews but rarely stops there. He called for a comprehensive approach involving legal action, education, and international cooperation, warning that allowing such hatred to fester poses risks to all citizens. His comments come as data from the New York City Police Department reveals that anti-Jewish incidents accounted for over half of all confirmed hate crimes in the city since the start of the year, despite Jews comprising only about 10% of the population.

The Israeli president also took aim at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he accused of promoting antisemitic rhetoric and endangering residents. Herzog criticized Mamdani's public statements, including those labeling Israeli leaders as war criminals, and highlighted a recent stabbing incident in Manhattan where a suspect allegedly targeted an Orthodox Jewish man.

A report from the J7 Large Communities' Task

A report from the J7 Large Communities' Task Force Against Antisemitism shows a disturbing trend, with over 23,000 recorded incidents across seven countries in 2025, including 20 fatalities—the highest toll since 1994. Herzog called for governments and law enforcement to intensify efforts against hate crimes, noting that social media often distorts historical facts, including the Holocaust, and fuels misinformation that exacerbates tensions.

Despite these challenges, Herzog pointed to Israel's positive contributions in fields like technology, agriculture, and medicine, arguing that the country's achievements are often overlooked in global discourse. He also discussed his initiative, Voice of the People, which aims to foster Jewish leadership among young professionals worldwide. The program, which selects participants through a data-driven process, recently held its first summit in Haifa, and Herzog encouraged more Jewish individuals to join the next cohort.