In the weeks and months following October 7, it felt as if the world were unraveling. In addition to the horrors we experienced in the Gaza border communities, a virulent wave of antisemitism swept the world, painfully reminding us of the darkest chapters of Jewish history. From New York to Paris, from London to Montreal, Jews were attacked and Jewish institutions defaced. The numbers speak volumes: in France, antisemitic incidents jumped from 436 in 2022 to 1,570 in 2024. In Germany, they nearly doubled, from 2,822 to 5,177. Canada saw an even sharper spike - from 2,769 to 6,219.
The accounts were harrowing. Israeli embassy staff in the US were murdered following a Jewish event. Arson attacks in Colorado. A rabbi was beaten on the streets of Paris. Holocaust memorials defiled in Canada. Jewish children, parents, and students began hiding their identity out of fear and shame. Israeli tourists, wary of speaking Hebrew abroad, crafted fictional identities as a coping mechanism that has already entered Israeli folklore. Darkness, it seemed, was spreading.
The initial global outpouring of sympathy for Israel and the Jewish people quickly turned. It was replaced by a fury aimed at the Jewish state, cast not as a victim of unimaginable terror, but as a colonial aggressor bent on ethnic cleansing and even genocide. The chant "From the river to the sea" was suddenly everywhere, even on the lips of those who could not locate the Jordan River or the Mediterranean Sea on a map. Forgotten were the horrors of rape, looting and slaughter inflicted upon Israelis - whose only "crime" was choosing to cultivate the desert sands around Gaza, or to dance at a peace-driven music festival.
But just as darkness precedes light, so too this time Jewish history proved its resilience. When Israel launched a precise and unprecedented response to Iran's aggression, the global balance of perception began to shift. Once again, the world's smallest yet most scrutinized country demonstrated its capacity to stand firm against encroaching darkness- and to prevail.
Israel's response was not merely military. It was a declaration of Jewish strength -technological, modern, and deeply moral. The Israeli Air Force, with the Star of David emblazoned on its wings, amazed the world with its accuracy, restraint, and professionalism. Our pilots - men and women alike - proved that we are not passive victims of history, but active authors of its next chapter.
And so, the narrative began to change. In place of anti-Israel protests fueled by pro-Palestinian activists, we began to see solidarity rallies led by Iranian exiles standing shoulder to shoulder with Jews and Israelis. A clearer distinction emerged between the forces of liberty, democracy, and light, and the regimes of terror, repression, and darkness. Once again, Israel became a moral compass for those who still believe in liberal, democratic values. As Germany's Chancellor put it bluntly: "Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us."
The world saw Israel in its proper light: not as an aggressor, but as the bearer of freedom's torch, confronting a radical, messianic power that openly calls for its annihilation.
Naturally, this moment reverberates far beyond Israel. It reaches every corner of the Jewish Diaspora. The Jewish heart swells with pride. Pride in our people, our soldiers, our values, and our homeland.
At the General Assembly of the World Jewish Congress in May, I described the symbiotic relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry and likened it to Conjoined twins. The Gemara discussed the question of the connection between Conjoined twins and presented a test for the strength of their bond: when boiling water is poured on one twin's hand, does the other feel the pain? If the answer is yes, it is one soul. On October 7th, I said, every Jew in the world felt the pain. And now, every Jew in the world feels pride.
This is a historic turning point for the Jewish people. Much like the aftermath of the Six-Day War, we are witnessing a renewed sense of unity between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. The desire to belong, to be part of something larger, is not new. But it is now gaining momentum.
In last month's World Zionist Congress elections in the U.S., the number of candidates lists surged by 70%. Community leaders report renewed engagement, and synagogues are seeing unfamiliar faces. Fear of Jewish identity is gradually giving way to Jewish pride.
I believe that Israel's success in confronting the Ayatollah's evil regime will have consequences that go well beyond military strategy. Even within Iran, we are seeing signs of awakening. Today, when we look toward Iran, we see not just a regime of oppression, but a people dreaming of a better future - one built on education, prosperous industry, equality, and freedom. Who knows - perhaps in the not-so-distant future, women will once again walk freely through the streets of Tehran, unafraid.
This is the time to be proud Jews. Proud of the State of Israel. Proud of our soldiers. Proud of the ideals we represent. We have no reason to lower our heads in the face of those who chant for our destruction. We are here to stay. We are here to prevail. And we are here to help lead the world to a better future.
In an era where history is being rewritten, we are not just witnesses; we are the writers. This is the time to be proud of our unique place in human history.
The author is the Chair of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in Israel
