The Jewish people worldwide faces mounting challenges, with antisemitism at record highs and indicators of resilience and cohesion in decline, according to the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI)'s Annual Assessment for 5785 (2024–25).
The comprehensive report, presented to President Isaac Herzog and the Israeli government on Thursday, evaluated global Jewish well-being through demographic, social, geopolitical and identity-related analyses, offering a sobering picture of current realities and a roadmap of strategic recommendations.
At the heart of the assessment are JPPI’s six gauges of Jewish well-being: demography, cohesion, geopolitics, Israel–U.S. relations, resilience and identity.
Demography remains stable, buoyed by population growth in Israel. However, emigration among young secular Israelis is rising. Cohesion has weakened: unity forged after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks has given way to renewed polarization over the war, hostage negotiations and the Haredi draft issue.
Geopolitics reflects Israel’s growing international isolation, including intensifying legal challenges and movement toward recognition of Palestinian statehood. Israel–U.S. relations continue to anchor Israel strategically, though domestic polarization in Washington makes the bond more fragile.
Resilience has sharply declined amid two converging pressures: surging antisemitism across the West, and escalating international lawfare, including International Criminal Court warrants targeting Israeli leaders, the report said.
Identity is strained: Diaspora Jews have rallied with solidarity and fundraising, but alienation is growing among younger and progressive segments.
Taken together, the gauges show deterioration in the overall well-being of the Jewish people, with resilience, cohesion and identity under particular strain.
Herzog described the findings as “troubling and alarming,” citing the war’s impact and the global rise in antisemitism. He emphasized the importance of Jewish resilience and the centrality of Israel, stressing that “most importantly, we must see our hostages back home and an end to the war.”
JPPI President Yedidia Stern warned that Israel stands at a “crossroads”—while its security successes have created regional opportunities, the lack of a political horizon and failure to address internal divisions could deepen strategic isolation.
He called for rebuilding public trust through pragmatic constitutional reform and a fairer distribution of national burdens.
The JPPI laid out a series of policy prescriptions, including defining a clear political objective for Gaza’s “day after” and transferring governance to bolster legitimacy; curtailing extremist rhetoric within government; and pursuing proactive diplomacy with Europe, Asia and moderate Arab states.
The report also recommended creating institutionalized forums for integrating Diaspora voices into Israeli decision-making; advancing constitutional reform and resolving the ultra-Orthodox conscription issue; and strengthening ties with Israelis abroad and adapting absorption services amid rising antisemitism.
It called for a global plan to combat antisemitism, spearheaded by Israel and expanding international study programs at Israeli universities to attract Jewish students.
JPPI was established by the Jewish Agency in 2002. The Jerusalem-based think tank is devoted to ensuring the continuity and prosperity of the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora. Since 2004, its Annual Assessment has been presented to Israel’s president and government.
