Yitzhak Herzog
Yitzhak HerzogYonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Dear Chancellor, Angela Merkel, I am writing to you as the Chairman of the Jewish Agency, the largest Jewish organization in the world, which looks after the interests of Jewish communities worldwide and is deeply committed to fighting Antisemitism. Our organization has established, in the 30's and 40's, the foundations of the State of Israel, and enjoys a special legal status under a Charter with the Government of Israel, which grants it recognition as representative of the Jewish people.

I have to express to you my deep concern regarding the unprecedented rise in Antisemitic abuse and violence, especially after the deadly attack against the Synagogue in Halle, Germany. Our preoccupation has been enhanced by the findings of the research published by the EU Commission in December, and obviously by earlier deadly attacks against Jews in Toulouse, Brussels and Paris.

But the recent terrorist aggression on the Halle synagogue, which took place on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, should sound the alarm loud and clear throughout Europe.

I respectfully call on you to ensure that security around synagogues and Jewish institutions gets high priority, especially during the upcoming Jewish holiday of Sukkot (Feast of the Tabernacles), when many Jews are expected to congregate in synagogues and community centers throughout the holiday's week
I also ask, with due respect, that you deploy all necessary efforts to actively and effectively combat Antisemitism through legislation, enforcement and education. These are times of clear and present emergency in these matters, and no efforts should be spared in the ongoing fight to contain and eliminate Antisemitic violence, wherever it may raise its head.