Israeli FM urges Jews in western countries to move to Israel

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday called on Jews living in western countries to move to Israel, citing a rise in antisemitism. His remarks came a week after 15 people were killed in a shooting during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

Speaking at a public candle-lighting event on the final day of Hanukkah, Saar said: “Jews have the right to live in safety everywhere. But we see and fully understand what is happening, and we have a certain historical experience. Today, Jews are being hunted across the world.”

Addressing Jewish community and organisation leaders from around the world who attended the event, he added: “Today I call on Jews in England, Jews in France, Jews in Australia, Jews in Canada, Jews in Belgium: come to the Land of Israel! Come home!”

Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip following Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Israeli leaders have repeatedly warned of rising antisemitism in western countries and accused their governments of failing to combat it.