Despite far-right lineup, government hopes antisemitism confab will avoid blowup |
Ten months after a government conference on combating antisemitism was panned by Jewish leaders due to its inclusion of far-right European politicians, the second annual event appears set to face renewed controversy.
Organized by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, the January 27 conference — entitled Generation Truth and set to take place in Jerusalem — will feature speakers from nationalist parties in Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden and Brazil, along with thinkers and influencers associated with conservative causes.
Many high-ranking Jewish community leaders chose to boycott the March 2025 event after learning that members of those parties, which have faced their own allegations of racism and antisemitism, would be present.
Still, a source within the Diaspora Affairs Ministry told The Times of Israel that participants in this year’s conference will be more “mainstream,” and less backlash is expected.
“Israel has a lot of friends, and we have to know how to open doors to them,” the source said. “The fact that people say someone is extreme doesn’t make them an antisemite. We only invited people who have shown through their actions that they are 100 percent committed to fighting antisemitism.”
“There might be some criticism” over the guest list, but there hasn’t been the same kind of outrage from Jewish........