Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a forceful and deeply reflective address at the Second International Conference on Combating Antisemitism, warning that the modern battle against antisemitism has shifted decisively to the digital sphere. He described social media as the new frontline, where hatred spreads faster and wider than ever before, demanding resolve, creativity, and determination equal to that shown on physical battlefields.

Netanyahu explained that antisemitism is rooted in a historical pattern that emerged after the Jewish people lost their land and were dispersed across the world. In foreign societies, Jews often became prominent in commerce, scholarship, and culture. That prominence, he argued, ignited envy, which when combined with vulnerability, produced antisemitism. According to Netanyahu, the dangerous fusion of visibility and defenselessness has fueled centuries of persecution and remains relevant today.

Turning to Israel’s recent history, the prime minister reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to honoring its fallen and recovering its hostages. He noted that many doubted Israel’s ability to retrieve live hostages taken during the war, yet through determination, military courage, and diplomatic pressure, those hostages were brought home. Netanyahu credited President Donald Trump’s leadership and support as a decisive factor in securing the release, describing a coordinated effort in which Israeli soldiers applied relentless pressure on Hamas while diplomatic force was applied internationally.

Netanyahu portrayed the campaign against Hamas as a demonstration of Israel’s broader philosophy: that survival depends on tenacity and the willingness to fight. He emphasized that victory is never guaranteed by strength alone, but by persistence, courage, and moral clarity. The same principles, he argued, must now guide the fight against antisemitism.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu urged global partners to recognize that this struggle is shared. He stressed that combating antisemitism requires unity, resolve, and a refusal to retreat, whether on the battlefield, in diplomacy, or in the digital arena. Just as Israel prevailed against its enemies through determination, he declared, it will prevail again in the fight against antisemitism.