President Herzog Addresses Global Antisemitism Crisis in Meetings with University Students

In recent weeks, President Isaac Herzog convened a series of meetings with over 300 university students to discuss the challenges of combating the global surge in antisemitism on university campuses.

The student delegations visiting Israel from North America and Europe were facilitated by the Israel Coalition on Campus, the Pinsker Centre, Hasbara Fellowships, and IsraelAmbassadors.com. President Herzog also met with leading international students studying at Israeli universities. The meetings were coordinated by the Advisor to the President of Israel for Diaspora Affairs, Boostan Doron.

President Herzog stated: “I am deeply alarmed by the ongoing surge in antisemitic and anti-Israel activity on university campuses worldwide. University campuses have become a focal point of the global emergency of rising Jew-hatred. We have all witnessed in recent months how antisemitic rhetoric escalates into deadly violence against Jews. Now is the time for leaders in every field to take clear and decisive action against antisemitism in all its forms, ensuring that Jews everywhere can live in safety, security, and dignity.”

President Herzog added: “I was profoundly inspired to meet so many young students who are courageously championing the cause of the Jewish people and Israel. To young Jews everywhere combating the world’s oldest hatred, my message is clear: the people of Israel stand firmly beside you in this battle. We must be proud to be Jews, proud to be Israeli, and proud to be Zionists. The Jewish people are the eternal people. We will not let this hatred break us.”

President Herzog called on Jewish students in the Diaspora and Israel to apply to be part of the second cohort of “Voice of the People”, the President’s initiative for a shared Jewish future. Like the first council currently in session, the next “Voice of the People” cohort will comprise 150 members — 50 from Israel, 50 from North America, and 50 from the rest of the world. Applications for the second cohort will open in the Spring of 2026