World Jewish Congress marks 90 years with warnings on Israel-Diaspora ties and rising antisemitism

Lead

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) marked 90 years since its founding in Geneva this week with a series of events and meetings, as its president warned that Israel can no longer take Diaspora Jews for granted and that Jewish communities face a surge in antisemitism. The anniversary comes at a time when the organization's founding mission to unite Jewish communities in the face of global threats is being invoked as a rallying call.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the anniversary in the Jerusalem Post focused heavily on the remarks of WJC President Ronald S. Lauder, who used the occasion to deliver a stark warning about the state of Jewish life in the West and the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. Reports described a week of high-level meetings and a commemorative gala dinner held jointly with the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG), with Swiss President Guy Parmelin in attendance.

The Post's reporting highlighted Lauder's statement that the bond between Israel and the Diaspora "cannot be taken for granted" and must be "nurtured, respected, and protected." In another piece, the newspaper detailed his call for a "complete change in course" in how Jewish institutions combat antisemitism, with Lauder arguing that spending on efforts to persuade antisemites has been ineffective.

Key Claims

• Lauder warned that Israel could no longer assume the support of Diaspora Jews, referring to them as "among the most important ambassadors of the Jewish state throughout the world." According to his interview with the Jerusalem Post, he said, "The bond between Israel and the Diaspora cannot be taken for granted. It must be nurtured, respected, and protected for future generations. We must repair any cracks before it's too late."
• The WJC presented the Israel Resilience Award to the family of Ran Gvili, a recognition of those who embody resilience in support of Israel, according to reports from the commemorative gala.
• Lauder drew a parallel between the threats facing Jews today and those of 90 years ago, saying, "Ninety years ago, one of the darkest hours for the Jewish people was coming, and it is no accident that we are back here exactly 90 years later. Because today, in 2026, we face another dark hour."
• Lauder argued that antisemitic narratives are not based on a lack of facts but on a commitment to blaming Jews and Israel for global problems. "You can't educate an antisemite," he said, urging a shift of resources toward Jewish education and the next generation.
• The WJC president praised Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner as a "righteous gentile," describing him as a rare media leader willing to defend Israel publicly.
• Lauder also referred to the unresolved threat of Iran, calling it one of the central threats to global stability and to the security of Israel and the Jewish people.

Perspectives

Israel-Diaspora Relations: Lauder's comments reflect a growing concern within the Jewish world about an emerging generational divide and political tensions between Israel and Jewish communities abroad. His call to "repair any cracks" suggests a desire to strengthen these ties amid shifting demographics and opinions, particularly among younger Jews.

Antisemitism Response: Lauder's blunt assessment that large sums spent on persuasion campaigns have not reversed antisemitism indicates a reassessment within Jewish organizations about effective strategies. His advocacy for education and identity-building represents a different approach, focusing on internal capacity rather than external advocacy.

Swiss and Diplomatic View: Swiss President Guy Parmelin's address, welcoming the WJC "back to Geneva" and affirming Switzerland's commitment to a democratic Israel and Middle East peace, underscores the enduring diplomatic relevance of the organization's founding locale. Parmelin's remarks were reported as acknowledging both Jewish concerns and the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Temporal Context: The anniversary events were set against a background of rising antisemitism in Western countries, as noted by Lauder, who cited Australia, Canada, the UK, France, and the US as places where it has become dangerous to be visibly Jewish. This context was stressed in multiple reports, framing the WJC's mission as continuous with its founding in 1936, when 230 delegates from 32 countries gathered in Geneva in response to Nazi-era persecution.