Knesset member Benny Gantz, leader of Israel’s opposition National Unity Party, lauded the contributions of Diaspora Jews to the war effort against Hamas in Gaza, speaking at the Jerusalem Conference in New York on Sunday.
“October 7 also highlighted another opportunity—the chance to strengthen Israel’s relation with the Jewish Diaspora,” Gantz said in remarks at the conference organized by the B’Sheva Hebrew-language weekly, referencing the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel.
In the wake of the largest single-day murder of Jews since the Holocaust, “millions of Jews worldwide united in support of Israel,” the former defense minister said. “Some paused their lives to join the IDF. Some donated millions to support the war effort and rehabilitation, and some launched campaigns to tell Israel’s story.”
Gantz, whose National Unity Party holds eight mandates in the Jewish state’s 120-seat parliament, called on the government to “designate strengthening the bond with the Diaspora as a national objective.”
Amid the ongoing seven-front war, Diaspora Jewry has “a more important role than ever in shaping Israel’s future,” he said.
“I know these aren’t easy times for you,” the lawmaker said. “On college campuses, in your communities, antisemitism is at record highs.”
Addressing his Jewish brothers and sisters abroad, Gantz declared that Jerusalem would “remain committed to strengthening the ties between our people and our land.”
Gantz urged Jews to volunteer at Israeli embassies and participate in programs organized by local diplomatic missions, deepen participation in Jewish campus groups, raise their “needs and concerns” in talks with Israeli government representatives, and lead “legal efforts to tackle the discrimination and targeting of Jewish businesses and institutions.”
Gantz spoke at the Jerusalem Conference hours after participating in the annual Israel Day on Fifth parade in Manhattan, which saw tens and thousands marching in support of the Jewish state on Sunday.
Gantz in his remarks honored New York Mayor Eric Adams, saying, “The fact that Israel is marching all over this place is very meaningful. So thank you, Mayor Adams, and thank you to the people of New York.”
He also praised the recent release from Gaza of U.S.-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, stressing, “His freedom was made possible only through the efforts of President Trump and his special envoy, Steve Witkoff.”
However, “We cannot and must not stop there. … Bring them home now,” he added.
Fifty-eight hostages remain in Hamas terrorist captivity in the Gaza Strip after 592 days, including the remains of dual U.S.-Israeli nationals Itay Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judi Weinstein Haggai and Omer Neutra.