The time has come to move forward

The military operation of the Israeli defense forces in response to the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 triggered a widespread wave of antisemitism globally, alongside a series of unfair attacks on Israel, its right to security, and the protection of its citizens.

While Hamas and its supporters celebrated the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for the Prime Minister and the former Minister of Defense of Israel, we cannot remain silent. This is a flagrant injustice, and the world must be made aware of it.

We call on all member states of the International Criminal Court to reject this dangerous decision and openly refuse to enforce these arrest warrants.

Israel prioritizes the security of its citizens and is conducting a highly complex war against terrorism involving the most insidious combat tactics.

Even taking into account any potential errors, it is unthinkable to compare the leaders of a democratic state with the ringleaders of a terrorist organization responsible for the brutal assault on thousands of innocent people. Equating state leaders fighting a grueling war with terrorists who have held over a hundred hostages—including women, the elderly, and infants—for more than a year is nothing less than a perversion of justice, morality, and international law.

We express our appreciation to the United States Senate, which rejected three anti-Israel resolutions by an overwhelming majority. Resolutions aimed at halting military aid to Israel set a dangerous precedent, and we are reassured that most American lawmakers recognize the vital importance of supporting their strategic ally.

It must be understood that attempts to restrict Israel's ability to defend itself against Iranian-backed terrorists amount to encouraging those very terrorists who seek the destruction of Israel and the entirety of Western civilization, which is founded on freedom and the sanctity of human life. European leaders must also come to realize this.

We are also grateful to the US administration for vetoing the recent UN Security Council resolution. The resolution demanded an unconditional ceasefire from Israel but failed to demand that Hamas immediately and unconditionally release the hostages. This constitutes a violation of common sense and serves as a stark example of destructive diplomacy, which yields nothing but a worsening of the situation.

In such challenging geopolitical circumstances, we are in dire need of constructive diplomacy. A prominent example of this is the Abraham Accords—a monumental achievement of US policy in the Middle East that has truly transformed the landscape of the region. These accords established a new precedent for peace and cooperation between Israel and its neighbors, demonstrating what can be achieved through courageous and visionary leadership.

Agreements that once seemed impossible have given the people of Israel and the entire region hope that a more peaceful and stable future may be much closer than it appears. These steps were not simple, but they demonstrated that even decades-old paradigms are subject to change. Change is possible, and we are capable of building a future where the voices of reason, dialogue, and the pursuit of peace will prevail.

Today, however, I wish to speak not only of what has already been accomplished, but also of what must be done. Over the past few years, brutal conflicts have become our daily reality, and peace seems distant. Yet we must not grow accustomed to this. The time has come to move forward. The time has come for dialogue on a post-war settlement.

Nevertheless, dialogue is impossible without several fundamental conditions.

First, the unconditional recognition of the State of Israel. It is unthinkable that in the 21st century, doubts are being cast on the right of the Jewish people to national self-determination. It is unthinkable that anyone in the modern world is attempting to revise the historic decisions of the international community that supported the creation of Israel.

The second condition is Israel’s inalienable right to peace and security.

The right of the Jewish state to peaceful existence, to the protection of its citizens and borders, cannot be subject to compromise. This is the foundational premise of any discussion regarding the future of the Middle East.

However, we must also reassess our own role. It is evident that no one but ourselves will deliver a ready-made solution for peace. We must actively seek new formulas and find compromises, while standing firm on our core requirements.

At this pivotal moment, I would like to address Israeli leaders once again. Today demands maturity, wisdom, and responsibility from you. The Jewish people, both in Israel and abroad, expect actions from you that unite rather than divide. We stand at a historic crossroads where every decision you make will shape our future for decades to come. At such moments, it is not enough to be merely a politician—one must be a leader.

We are destined to live in an era of rapid transition and great trials. Every epoch presents its own challenges, but it also opens doors to new opportunities.

Addressing my colleagues today, I feel that hope for change is not an abstract concept. It lives within people, in their readiness to build bridges where walls once stood, and in their desire to envision and shape a world where respect and security replace hostility and fear.

It is among the leaders of the Jewish world that I believe change is not only possible—it is inevitable.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress stands ready at all times to assist in any initiative capable of fostering a more peaceful and prosperous future.