Two weeks have passed since the brutal terrorist attack in Australia – a shocking and devastating attack that sparked fear and anger among many over the abandonment of Jewish safety in the Diaspora and a deep sense of frustration.
Anyone who has followed the news over the past year, or who maintains even basic contact with Jewish communities around the world, knew that a murderous attack against Jewish targets in one of those communities was only a matter of time.
For a brief moment, the attack created a profound shock and, with it, a fleeting sense of hope that perhaps world leaders would finally grasp the gravity of the situation; that their approach to antisemitism would change; and that zero tolerance and a firm hand would be shown toward any incitement against Jews and certainly toward acts of violence. In short, we truly believed that, at long last, world leaders would read the writing on the wall, recognize it, and act accordingly.
Condemnations alone are not enough
Unfortunately, we were quickly dragged back to reality. It took only a short look at the statements made by European leaders in the aftermath of the attack to understand that world leaders are either unwilling or unable to change their approach to the surge of antisemitism worldwide.
This is evident from the post-attack condemnations and even more so from the conduct of countries since then. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere,” emphasizing that “we are united against violence, antisemitism, and hatred.” French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of an “uncompromising fight against antisemitism.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer limited his response to expressions of sorrow and condolences, while Spain’s foreign minister stressed that “hatred and antisemitism have no place in our societies.”
These are worthy and moral statements – but they also expose a deep and troubling problem: a clear reluctance to confront the root of the threat. Time and again, we hear general condemnations and lofty rhetoric about values, tolerance, and unity, yet we hear almost nothing about decisive, concrete action against Islamist terror itself, about dismantling infrastructures, imposing punishment, and creating real deterrence.
A dangerous gap
And this gap is extremely dangerous. When terror meets political correctness, it does not retreat; it grows stronger. When leaders’ responses are limited to general condemnations, without clear steps of deterrence, enforcement, and meaningful punishment, the message conveyed is one of weakness. The writing remains on the wall, but it will certainly not prevent the next disaster.
From this emerges a harsh but unavoidable truth: The Jewish people, in Israel and around the world, can no longer make do with promises. We must all take responsibility and act. Jewish communities must organize, raise their voices, and apply real pressure on governments and local leaderships, demanding security, dedicated and stringent legislation, proactive measures against extremist organizations, and uncompromising enforcement against inciters and terror operatives. Silence or patience in our case is a grave danger.
The State of Israel, and we Israelis, also bear responsibility in this struggle. Alongside the necessary actions by Jewish communities worldwide, Israel’s government must act proactively and persistently vis-à-vis world governments, set clear demands, and employ diplomatic, public, and media pressure. The security of Jews in the Diaspora must not be treated as a secondary issue in foreign policy; it must be a central and urgent one. We Israelis must show Jews around the world that we stand with them. This is not “their” fight; it is the fight of the entire Jewish people.
A universal struggle
At the same time, world leaders must remember, and it is our duty to remind them, that this is not a Jewish struggle alone. As history and current reality demonstrate, extremist terror does not stop with Jews; it threatens democracy, freedom, liberalism, and the security of every free society. Those who choose to turn a blind eye today when Jews are the targets will pay the price tomorrow when the same forces turn against their own people.
Now is the time to move from condemnations to action, from words to pressure, from promises to deeds. Israel and Jews around the world must act together – now – before the writing on the wall becomes additional names engraved on a memorial.
The author is the CEO of the Gesher Organization, which works to strengthen connections within the Jewish people and between the State of Israel and Jewish communities in the Diaspora.