In the wake of the deadly antisemitic shooting in Washington, D.C., Professor Yedidia Stern, President of the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI), has announced plans to create a national authority to lead Israel’s fight against antisemitism worldwide.
The Floodgates Built After the Holocaust Have Burst
Speaking on Thursday morning, Prof. Stern stressed the urgency of the initiative: “Antisemitism is once again raising its ugly head. The relentless incitement against Jews and Israel—on campuses, in media, and across social networks—is translating into violence. Jews were murdered last night in Washington simply for being Jewish.”
He warned that the moral and societal dam built after the Holocaust is breaking: “Verbal antisemitism is now giving way to physical attacks. The next generation will face this danger, and it targets Jews everywhere—including the State of Israel.”
Israel Must Lead the Fight
Prof. Stern emphasized that the responsibility to fight antisemitism can no longer rest solely on Jewish communities abroad or international bodies. He called on Israel, as the Jewish nation-state, to take an active and strategic role, “It is not enough to denounce—we need policy, strategy, and action.”
Proposal for a National Authority
The proposed body, a National Authority to Combat Antisemitism, would serve as Israel’s central mechanism for coordinating global advocacy, launching educational campaigns, monitoring antisemitic incidents, and supporting Jewish communities abroad.
According to Stern, the authority would be anchored in Israel’s Basic Law, which defines the state as the nation-state of the Jewish people: “This is our moral duty—and a constitutional one.” A legislative proposal is currently being drafted by a JPPI task force.
Tragedy in Washington Sparks Urgency
The announcement comes amid deep national mourning over the shooting in Washington, where two Israeli embassy employees—a young couple—were killed near the city’s Jewish Museum. The victims were participating in a “Young Diplomats” pro-Israel event. The attacker, reportedly wearing a keffiyeh, shouted “Free Palestine” before opening fire. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, said the couple was due to become engaged next week in Jerusalem: “He had bought the ring just this week. They were a beautiful couple enjoying an evening out in the cultural heart of Washington.”
U.S. authorities have launched a federal investigation. The shooter was apprehended at the scene, and officials stated there is no immediate ongoing threat.
