President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday addressed the International Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism and the BDS Campaign held by the Ministry of Strategic Affairs.

Some 350 participants from 30 countries are participating in the conference which aims to confront the BDS campaign, the resurgence of anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of Israel. As part of the campaign against the delegitimization of the State of Israel, the Global Coalition for Israel (GC4I) was established in 2010. This is a network of about 150 presidents, chairpersons and CEOs of the most significant pro-Israel organizations around the world, Jewish and non-Jewish.

President Rivlin did not mince words, as he said, “We must expose the modern blood libels spread by BDS and put a price on its hate and discrimination.”

The president added, “The State of Israel has no problem with legitimate criticism – criticism that flows from a true concern for Israel’s security and welfare, especially when this criticism comes from our sisters and brothers in the diaspora. I believe that the Government of Israel must do a better job of listening to your concerns. Honest criticism? Friendly criticism? Yes! Delegitimize Israel? No!”, calling for unity, to “stand together against the growing threat of anti-Semitism, whether from the left, the right or radical Islam”.

Mr. Rivlin concluded on a positive note, telling the audience, “I am confident that we can defeat those who seek to undermine our Jewish and democratic homeland, and build a thriving future for Israel and the Jewish people.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem/Photo credit: Haim Zach, GPO)