Antisemitism, Israel's growing isolation fuel a deepening sense of abandonment

A recent conference in Haifa on antisemitism, attended by scholars from 20 countries and 500 participants, addressed the global surge in hatred since October 7. Speakers, including Deborah Lipstadt and Dina Porat, discussed anti-Zionist narratives, social media's role, and AI's effects. The author, who delivered the closing address, emphasized that the battle against antisemitism is "far from lost," highlighting allies among various religious and political groups. He recounted successfully challenging anti-Israel sentiments on American campuses by presenting Israel as a decolonized nation with equal rights for all citizens, and by refuting genocide claims. However, Israeli attendees expressed a profound sense of injustice and abandonment, feeling boycotted and betrayed by democratic nations, leading to a "sadness of Israel."