Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, speaking at the Jerusalem Post Conference, said that Israel must create a government agency to combat the lies and falsehoods spread by antisemitic forces throughout the world. “If you read the mainstream press,” said Lauder, “you must wonder how the only Jewish state has become the most hated nation on earth. That’s because every single day we are bombarded with lies, gross distortions, and outright malice. Sympathy for Israel is at an all-time low.”
Lauder cited numerous instances of false reports, including the incorrect report that Israel had bombed a hospital in Gaza, the fabricated UN claims that 14,000 babies would die in Gaza within 48 hours, and the spurious claims that Israel was training dogs to rape Palestinian prisoners.
“Israel has been outstanding in the United States,” said Lauder.
‘As good as Israel is militarily, that’s how bad it is on PR’
“But as good as it is militarily, that’s how bad it is on PR, and it’s losing the information war in the age of media-driven politics. Everyone has a computer in their pocket with the most vicious smears that will spread around the world and circulate instantly. Israel cannot afford to ignore its public relations. No country can survive without public relations. For some reason, Israel is blind to this. Israel can’t afford to ignore it any longer. It can’t afford to isolate itself even further. From this day forward, Israel must devote much of its resources into this battle. When Israel is hit with lies, Israel should hit back twice as hard. Its response should be furious. It should counterattack every single hour of every single day.”
Lauder said that Israel should create an important government operation with a new director –“not a political appointee, but someone who knows PR and news backward and forward. The Jews of the Diaspora should partner with Israel in this PR fight. Because in the end, it won’t be just protecting the Jewish state. I understand we are fighting an age-old hatred against us, but that doesn’t mean we should let our enemies define us. We have a voice. We have a voice, and that voice must be heard.”
Prior to his remarks, Eli Azur, owner of the Jerusalem Post, presented Lauder with an Agam Rainbow Torah designed by artist Yaakov Agam, winner of the 2026 Israel Prize.
