NEW YORK – Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion warned of growing antisemitism across the West and urged Jews to strengthen their connection to Israel as he addressed The Jerusalem Post reception event in New York on Sunday evening ahead of The Post’s Annual Conference. Lion said that, while Jews once read the newspaper to see whether Israel was safe, many Israelis now read it to see if Diaspora Jews are safe.
Speaking to attendees from across the Jewish world, Lion described The Post as a longstanding bridge between Israel and the Diaspora, but said recent attacks on Jewish communities had fundamentally altered the conversation.
“For decades, The Jerusalem Post was the newspaper Jews around the world would read to check if the people of Israel were safe,” he said. “Today, sadly, it is the paper many Israelis read to check if you are safe.”
Annual conference a ‘family simcha,’ says Lion
The mayor said the annual conference had long felt like “a family simcha,” bringing together people who love Jerusalem, Israel, and the Jewish people. However, he noted that this year’s gathering comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents around the world.
Referring to attacks against Jewish communities in New York, London, Belgium, Amsterdam, Sydney, and elsewhere, Lion warned that antisemitism was becoming increasingly visible and accepted in public discourse.
“Antisemitism is no longer hiding in the shadows,” he said. “It is out in the open. It is loud. It is violent. And it is spreading across the world like a plague.”
Lion also used the speech to thank the US for its support of Israel, particularly during the confrontation with Iran. He said that, when Israel stood “on the frontline,” defending not only itself but “the entire free world,” America stood firmly beside it. He expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and his administration for their friendship and support.
The mayor said recent events had forced many Jews to reconsider their long-term security and relationship with the Jewish state.
“Many Jews always had an emergency plan. A red button to hit,” he said. “For more and more Jews, the time has come to smash the glass and pull the emergency lever.”
Israel able to guarantee self-determination, defense
While acknowledging that Israel itself continues to face significant threats, Lion argued that the Jewish state remains unique in its ability to guarantee Jewish self-determination and self-defense.
“There is only one place in the world where the Jewish people truly control their own destiny,” he said. “Only one place where Jews can defend themselves by themselves. And that place is the State of Israel.”
Lion concluded on a more optimistic note, highlighting Jerusalem’s continued economic growth and efforts to attract investment. He pointed to new technology initiatives, premium tech hubs, and growing interest from international companies in establishing operations in the capital. Jerusalem, he said, is not only the historic capital of the Jewish people, but also a city shaping the future of the region.
“Jerusalem is changing,” Lion said. “We are transforming into a leading regional economic center. The train is leaving the station, and Jerusalem is the destination. Join us.”
