Israeli Foreign Minister Urges Jews Worldwide to Move to Israel After Sydney Attack

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on Jews living in Western countries to relocate to Israel, warning that rising antisemitism has made life increasingly unsafe in many parts of the world. His remarks came one week after a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney that left 15 people dead.

Speaking on Sunday at a public candle lighting ceremony marking the final day of Hanukkah, Saar said recent events had reinforced long held fears within Jewish communities. The ceremony was attended by leaders of Jewish organisations and representatives from communities around the world.

“Jews have the right to live in safety everywhere,” Saar said. “But we see and fully understand what is happening, and we have a certain historical experience. Today, Jews are being hunted across the world.”

Addressing Jewish communities directly, Saar urged those living in countries including England, France, Australia, Canada, and Belgium to consider moving to Israel. “Come to the Land of Israel. Come home,” he said, framing Israel as the safest refuge at a time of growing global hostility toward Jews.

The comments follow the December 14 attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Australian authorities have said the shooting was inspired by the extremist ideology of Islamic State. The attack shocked Australia and prompted renewed debate over extremism, hate crimes, and the security of religious communities.

Israeli officials say the incident is part of a broader pattern that has emerged since the start of the war in Gaza. The conflict was triggered by the October 7 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, which marked one of the deadliest days in Israel’s history. Since then, Israeli leaders have repeatedly warned of a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Western countries, including vandalism, threats, and violent attacks.

Saar and other Israeli officials have accused some Western governments of failing to adequately confront antisemitism or protect Jewish communities. They argue that inflammatory rhetoric, protests that cross into hate speech, and online radicalisation have created an increasingly hostile environment.

Australian leaders have condemned the Bondi Beach attack and pledged to strengthen laws against hate speech and extremism. Similar debates are unfolding in Europe and North America, where Jewish organisations have reported heightened security concerns around synagogues, schools, and cultural events.

While calls for Jews to immigrate to Israel have long been a central theme in Israeli politics, Saar’s remarks carry added weight amid the current global climate. For some, his message reflects fear and urgency. For others, it underscores deepening divisions over how best to respond to antisemitism worldwide.

As investigations into the Sydney attack continue, Jewish communities across the globe remain on edge, grappling with questions of safety, identity, and where they truly feel at home.