At Auschwitz, WJC Israel President Warns: "The New Antisemitism Is Organized and Funded by Iran and Qatar"

In a speech delivered today (Tuesday) at Auschwitz, Silvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress in Israel, warned of a dangerous escalation of antisemitism worldwide. He spoke before more than 130 senior police commanders from the United States, Europe, and other countries, as part of an international delegation focused on addressing the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents.

According to him, this is a well-organized phenomenon: contemporary antisemitism is not merely spontaneous, but is "organized and funded by Iran and Qatar," and it is spreading in mosques in Europe and on campuses in the United States. Adams stressed that "the hatred that begins with Jews ultimately targets the entire free world," warning of the broad consequences of ignoring the trend.

Adams described the present moment as a critical test for Western democracies: "Standing here, we learn what happens when early warning signs of hate that can erode and dismantle democratic norms are ignored." He added: "By October 8, large demonstrations against us were already held in the streets, celebrating and justifying the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust."

Among those present alongside him were survivors of recent antisemitic attacks, including Eva Weitzen, who survived the attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, in which her husband Tibor and her friend Edith Brotman were murdered; Yoni Finley, who was wounded in an attack at a synagogue in Manchester; as well as Katherine Shkop and Avi Talmud from the staff of Israel’s embassy in Washington, who survived a shooting attack in which their colleagues Sarah Milgrem and Yaron Lishinsky were murdered.

Adams described the roots of the phenomenon, driven by external actors seeking to undermine the West’s stability. Among other things, he pointed to Iran’s proxy organizations, Qatari investments in Islamist infrastructures and in academia, and the influence of China-linked digital platforms in spreading antisemitic narratives among young people.

On the Iranian threat, he said: "With the push of a button, Ali Khamenei could do what took Hitler many years to achieve."

Ending his remarks, Adams addressed the police commanders directly and called for immediate, resolute action: "Look the Holocaust survivors in the eyes. See what was taken from them when hatred was rationalized. If we fail, we risk creating the next generation of survivors. You must act early, clearly, and without hesitation. What began here did not start in the gas chambers; it started with words and with silence. Do not allow a Holocaust to happen again—not on our watch and not on yours."