Since the Hamas massacre on October 7, nine Jews have been killed worldwide in antisemitic incidents, with hate crimes against Jews spiking worldwide. Following the government's decision in May, Israel will recognize those murdered and affected by antisemitism worldwide as victims of terror. On Tuesday, the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs discussed how to commemorate the victims.
There is no official Israeli agency or authority that is responsible for collecting and compiling the non-Israeli Jewish casualties in antisemitic incidents from around the world. Since 1958, there had been at least 155 murders of Jews because they were Jewish around the world with the first one recorded in February 17, 1958 in Algeria by the National Liberation Front.
According to data from the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization, two aliyah emissaries, Raphael Ben Gera and Yaakov Hassan, were abducted in Algeria and murdered in captivity. The latest attack in the diaspora was in San Jose, California, on February 29, when Dr. Benjamin Harouni was murdered.
Knesset lawmaker Oded Forer from the Yisrael Beiteinu party, chairperson of the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs, said during the discussion: "The Jews murdered in the diaspora are an inseparable part of our national memory and collective uniqueness. It is important to remember and note that most antisemitic incidents are not reported out of fear. This special session is held to commemorate the Jews of the diaspora, who lost their lives just because they were Jewish."
"It is our commitment to the Jewish people, both those residing here and those who do not. Recognizing murdered Jews worldwide as victims of terrorism strengthens the deep connection between diaspora Jews and Israel. Israel's strength leads to a decrease in antisemitic attacks worldwide," he added. The committee chairperson listed all the attacks since 1958 and their victims.
Chairperson of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel told the committee: "A year ago, two cousins were murdered in a terrorist attack in Tunisia. One was Israeli and recognized as a terror victim. But his cousin, who was not Israeli, was not recognized as one. I turned to the government, which saw great importance in this, and Minister Amichai Chikli convened a committee that worked to reach agreements."
"I commend the committee's decision. it is a historic decision. We are one, and the Jewish state is not just a country for those who live in it. We are aware of events that have occurred since the establishment of the state, and there is a mechanism within the government's decision that determines criteria for those recognized. We're working with Jewish communities to commemorate Memorial Day alongside Independence Day," he added. Secretary General of The Jewish Agency for Israel Josh Schwarcz also praised the decision.
Meital Hadad, sister of Aviel Hadad and cousin of Ben Hadad, who were murdered in Tunisia in 2023, told the committee: "If my brother and cousin had not been at the entrance of the synagogue and struggled, there would have been an even greater disaster for the local Jewish community. I thank the State of Israel for helping us in bringing back the bodies to Israel."
Shuli Davidovich, head of the Bureau for Jewish Affairs and World Religions in the Foreign Ministry, emphasized the importance of the connection between Jews in Israel and those around the world. "The connection between Israel and the Jewish diaspora is unparalleled. There are many antisemitic incidents worldwide, and the world must adopt a definition of antisemitic terror attacks," she said.
Galia Granot, deputy director of The Ruderman Family Foundation In Israel, praised the government's decision to recognize these terror victims.
"The government's decision is a significant breakthrough for the Jewish people. We were involved in the process with the Diaspora Affairs Ministry. We established a database and appealed to families to provide additional information to complete the database," Granot said.