The United Nations General Assembly held an informal session Wednesday on combating anti-Semitism and other forms of racism, at the initiative of Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon.
Over 90 countries participated in the discussion that included hundreds of guests from the Jewish community in the United States, Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, and many more.
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In his speech, Danon called on the world to declare war on anti-Semitism.
"The sounds we heard at Pittsburgh and Poway do not allow us to act with restraint. The world's approach to eradicating anti-Semitism must be like that of modern warfare. It must attack on multiple fronts."
Danon called on the UN and countries to implement a series of steps to eradicate anti-Semitism, including calling for a special envoy to fight it and promoting an active policy for monitoring and removing anti-Semitism content from the Internet. He also said countries must implement legislation to educate their populations on identifying the phenomenon.
"Leaders of the world – all the allies of the Jewish people – will take that pledge today, and every day, to fight the war on anti-Semitism, until it is gone," he said.
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was wounded in the April 27 shooting attack at the Poway synagogue in San Diego, was invited by Israel to address the forum.
"In far too many places around the world Jews are becoming more vulnerable...They are paying a shockingly high price to keep themselves safe. Since the horrific attack at our Chabad center, I have made it my personal mission to harness the tools used for spreading darkness and hate for spreading love and light. To fight darkness not with more darkness –but with a great big light."
The rabbi was accompanied by the daughter and sister of Lori Gilbert Kaye, who was murdered in the shooting.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the discussion by stating: "We must tackle the tsunami of hatred that is so visible and violent across the world today. I guarantee you that I will continue to call out anti-Semitic racism and other forms of hatred loudly and unapologetically."
Guterres cited figures from a recent Tel Aviv University report which found that the number of violent anti-Semitic incidents around the world rose by 13% in 2018 compared to the year before.
"In the United States, Europe and elsewhere, attacks on synagogues, graveyards and individuals continue to make many Jews feel insecure," Guterres continued. "This age-old hatred is showing grim staying power."
European Commission Coordinator on combating anti-Semitism Katharina von Schnurbein said, "Anti-Semitism is not just a European problem and the EU is determined to fight it beyond its borders together with its partners."
