The EAJC Director General Addressed a Special Session of the Knesset

Dr. Haim Ben-Yakov, Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, attended a special session of the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs. Held on Monday, May 15, the meeting focused on the report by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichay Chikli regarding the ministry's activities and budget.

During the session, the Minister presented data on the rise of antisemitism globally: the first quarter of 2023 saw a 22% increase in such incidents compared to the same period last year. Violent antisemitic incidents rose by 48%. Furthermore, 68% of antisemitic discourse on social media was categorized as “new antisemitism”—which delegitimizes and demonizes the State of Israel.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichay Chikli emphasized: “One of the core directives of our ministry is to respond to every antisemitic incident worldwide. We must pay specific attention to the delegitimization of the State of Israel as a new form of antisemitism.”

“The global issue of antisemitism demands close scrutiny, a decisive response, and proactive measures to counter intolerance. The methods employed must be carefully tailored to the specific conditions of each region, taking into account the rapidly changing situation,” stressed EAJC Director General Dr. Haim Ben-Yakov. “We are prepared to initiate systematic, professional cooperation with the Ministry across all areas concerning Jewish life in the Euro-Asian region, which is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian and political crisis. Intense consultations between the EAJC and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs are currently underway.”

Avi Cohen-Scali, Director General of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, highlighted the assistance provided to the Jewish community in Ukraine: “We have allocated a budget of approximately a quarter of a million dollars to secure Jewish communal buildings. Additionally, we are allocating about 12 million shekels for financial and psychological support programs for Ukrainian Jewish community members, as well as for organizing summer camps for refugees.”