Emergency call-up in the war on anti-Semitism

This number needs to be read a few times in order to comprehend it—there are approximately 100 cases of anti-Semitism documented each month worldwide, expressions of racism through violence and even murder. And this is data only from the last several relatively "calm" months. During times of heightened security tension, these numbers double and even triple.

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Last January, for example, anti-Semitic graffiti was sprayed in Britain, a memorial plaque to the Holocaust was defaced in Italy, leaflets denying the Holocaust were distributed in Sweden, five people were attacked in France, headstones were defaced in a Jewish cemetery in Germany, swastikas were sprayed on the cars of Jews in Australia and Canada, expressions of anti-Semitism have appeared in newspapers in Puerto Rico, Molotov cocktails have been thrown at a Jewish school in Tunisia and a British charity worker published a message against a Jewish person on Facebook saying, "The 1940s are calling, your shower is ready."

All this, and even more examples since January, without even mentioning the Polish law or the rise of the extreme right.

Anti-Semitic graffiti on the New York Subway (Photo: Gregory Locke)

This is already beyond simply raising concern: this is a real trend. And it raises an important question about the nature of the proper intervention by Israel in the fight against anti-Semitism—which has been led over the last several years by non-governmental organizations such as the World Zionist Federation, the Jewish Agency and many other local organizations. Right and Left, Orthodox and Reform, conservative and liberal: anti-Semitism unites Jewish organizations worldwide.

Unlike the past, Israel now truly has the ability as a state to act forcefully in the fight against anti-Semitism. Formal condemnations and diplomatic pronouncements are important, but they are not enough. We have an extensive arsenal of efficient weapons at our disposal: media, legal, social networks and even a not insignificant economic force in certain countries. The time has come to join forces, to recruit opinion-makers and people of influence throughout the world to begin the hunt for our pursuers. It's that simple.

Whether through the filing of claims that will be directed by leading attorneys against any global expressions of anti-Semitism on social networks so that the attackers will know that racism costs money and will think twice before giving it expression, in providing assistance to law enforcement in other countries so that anti-Semitic criminals can be identified and, of course, by spreading the message in the public and in the media. There are times when it is permissible to issue an emergency call-up, even for the biggest cultural stars and tell them—ou are now part of the war on anti-Semitism.

The Jewish-American actress Mayim Bialik is a perfect example of a public figure who is using her visibility in the fight against anti-Semitism. She is an activist, engaged in pro-Israel hasbara and has not shied away from being photographed with IDF soldiers or from expressing her support for them. She recently spoke at the 6th annual Global Forum for Combating anti-Semitism that was held at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem. It is possible and appropriate to engage other opinion-makers to act like her. Even with the encouragement and financial support of the Israeli government, if necessary.

Anti-Semitism cannot be taken lightly: these are lessons not only of the past, but also and particularly lessons of the present. This is a sickness that has claimed a heavy price from us and also damages Israel—economically and in the court of public opinion. The fight against anti-Semitism must be at the very top of Israel's public agenda in a more prominent way. If we're not the first to respond to each incident with the full gravity to which it is due—we can't complain about others.