Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has called for Jews living in the Diaspora to make aliyah in response to a series of recent antisemitic terror attacks. During a Chanukah candle lighting ceremony, Sa’ar expressed deep concern over the safety of Jews worldwide, stating, “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.”
The minister’s remarks come shortly after a tragic incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where a shooting linked to Islamic State resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals at a gathering organized by the Chabad community. The attackers, identified as Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS before the attack. Naveed, who is now facing 59 charges including committing an act of terror, was injured during a confrontation with police and is currently recovering in hospital, while Sajid was killed at the scene.
Sa’ar’s call to action resonated as he urged Jews from various countries, including England, France, Australia, Canada, and Belgium, to return to what he described as their “true home” in Israel. He passionately stated, “Come with your families to the land of our forefathers, to the State of Israel, where the Jews taught the entire world what Jewish self-defence means. The time has come.”
The Bondi Beach shooting is part of a broader trend of rising antisemitism, with a wave of arson attacks reported across Australia in 2024, linked by intelligence services to Iran. In the UK, a Yom Kippur attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester further illustrates the escalating violence. In that incident, Syrian-born Jihad al-Shamie rammed his car into the synagogue gates and subsequently attacked worshippers with a knife, resulting in two fatalities before he was shot dead by police.
Official statistics indicate a marked increase in antisemitic hate crimes in the UK, the US, and across Europe following the attacks on Israel that began on October 7, 2023. The recent surge in violence has prompted concerns among Jewish communities globally, leading to heightened discussions about safety and identity.
In light of these developments, Sa’ar’s appeal underscores the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for solidarity and support within the Jewish community. He concluded his remarks by reaffirming that Israelis are “waiting for you here with open arms,” urging families to consider a future in Israel, away from the rising tide of antisemitism.
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