The 4th Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism took place between 28-30 May at the Ramada Hotel in Jerusalem. The Conference is held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the Ministry for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs.

Over 500 guests from 50 countries participated including government representatives, civil society activists and religious leaders. For the first time, a delegation from South Korea participated at the event led by Jay Kronish, founder of Israel House in Pusan, South Korea.

Ten working groups convened to develop a work plan to combat anti-Semitism including anti-Semitism on the internet and in Social Media; in the Moslem and Arab world and on university campuses.

A recorded speech by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was broadcasted on the opening night as well as speeches by Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Bennett. A number of participants from overseas also spoke including the Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter; Deputy Foreign Minister of Lithuania Neris Germanas; Deputy Justice Minister of Greece Konstantinos Karagounis; Deputy Justice Minister of Hungary Bence Retvari and the Chairperson of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Mario Silva.

It was announced at the event that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) will receive a grant to establish a Global Anti-Semitism Index. Totaling US$7.5 million over three years, the grant will be used to establish a significant annual barometer of anti-Semitic attitudes around the world. During the project’s first year, ADL will measure anti-Semitic attitudes in 50 countries, with additional countries being added in each subsequent year.