President Isaac Herzog warned Tuesday evening about rising antisemitism worldwide, citing a figure that three out of every five students in Britain experience antisemitism and calling for a united Jewish response.

“Our responsibility is to fight this together,” Herzog told the international gathering of the Voice of the People leadership network in Budapest, Hungary. “We must understand the magnitude of our responsibility, stand united in the face of these challenges, and remember that ‘Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh Lazeh.’”

The conference showcased the work of the first cohort of Voice of the People, a global initiative Herzog founded to strengthen connections between Jewish communities and develop responses to challenges facing the Jewish people.

Its current council includes 150 Jewish entrepreneurs and leaders from Israel and the Diaspora.

Shirel Dagan-Levy, the organization’s CEO, said the shared mission had become a central focus of participants’ lives. Some members, she said, had even left their regular jobs to devote themselves to developing initiatives through the network.

Addressing divisions within the Jewish world, Herzog said disagreements have always been part of Jewish history, but stressed the need to build connections during the current period.

“The State of Israel is the home of the Jewish people and will always care for every Jew and Israeli around the world, regardless of their views or the country in which they live,” Herzog said.

“We are all part of the great historical story of a nation that continues to struggle for its future.”

Herzog concluded his Budapest visit with a meeting with local Jewish community leaders. Discussions focused on challenges facing the community, efforts to combat antisemitism, and Hungary’s solidarity with Israel since the October 7 attacks.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)