- March 28, 2025
- 4:43 pm
- Israel
On March 26–27, 2025, the international conference Ambassadors of Truth was held in Jerusalem, dedicated to the fight against antisemitism.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the conference and thanked all participants who came to the forum:
“Thank you for coming, for standing with Israel and the Jewish people, for opposing barbarism,” Netanyahu said. “I say ‘barbarism’ because antisemitism is a disease that brings barbarism with it. Antisemitism is a war against the very existence of the Jewish people.”
The event, organized by Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism (משרד התפוצות והמאבק באנטישמיות), was meant to be a symbol of Jewish unity. However, the list of invited participants turned the forum into the center of a major political scandal.
While several countries and Jewish organizations chose to boycott the conference, the Ukrainian delegation attended—and not out of courtesy. With Russia’s full-scale invasion ongoing and global uncertainty growing, especially after Donald Trump’s ambiguous actions, Ukraine urgently needs international support, including strong ties with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.
Borys Lozhkin: “Antisemitism in Ukraine is nearly zero—and we continue to fight it”
Ukraine was represented at the conference by Borys Lozhkin, President of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine and Vice President of both the World and European Jewish Congresses. He shared the following:
“I spoke at the Ambassadors of Truth conference on combating antisemitism, alongside Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, diplomats, and Jewish community leaders from around the world.
The global threat of antisemitism remains relevant, even a year and a half after the Hamas attack and the surge in anti-Israel sentiment that followed. I am glad that Ukraine stands out in a positive way.
I spoke about the near-zero level of antisemitism in Ukraine and the state of the Jewish community in the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Thank you to Minister Amichai Chikli for the invitation.”
Lozhkin emphasized that antisemitism in Ukraine remains minimal despite the ongoing war—something that stands in contrast to rising anti-Israel sentiment in many countries.
NAnews – News from Israel notes:
The presence of the Ukrainian delegation is not just symbolic—it is a strategic confirmation of the alliance. Despite the controversial steps taken by the Israeli government, the relationship between Ukraine and Israel is about people, not politics.
Who Netanyahu’s government invited—and why it caused outrage
Many participants and Jewish organizations were shocked by the invited guests. The Israeli government extended invitations to politicians known for far-right, anti-European, and even xenophobic rhetoric:
- Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s “National Rally”
- Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen
- Milorad Dodik, head of Republika Srpska and Putin ally
- Representatives of VOX (Spain), “Sweden Democrats”, and FIDESZ (Hungary)
Reactions: withdrawals and boycotts
Several key participants refused to attend:
- Bernard-Henri Lévy, philosopher and public intellectual
- Felix Klein, Germany’s Commissioner for Jewish Life
- Volker Beck, former Bundestag MP
Four major Jewish organizations announced a boycott of the conference:
| Organization | Country | Response |
|---|---|---|
| CER | Italy | Jewish Community of Rome – boycott |
| AJC | USA | American Jewish Committee – boycott |
| EJC | Europe | European Jewish Congress – withdrew |
| WJC | Global | World Jewish Congress – condemnation |
Natan Sharansky: he participated—but raised concerns
Natan Sharansky, former Soviet dissident and Israeli politician, did not boycott the event but publicly voiced his concerns:
“If someone is truly ready to change their views and fight antisemitism, that matters. But events like this must be coordinated with Jewish communities worldwide.”
Why Ukraine still chose to attend
The reasons are clear:
- Ukraine is at war and needs every bit of international support
- Israel is a critical strategic partner
- Global forums are vital platforms to affirm Ukraine’s stance amid Putin’s aggression
NAnews – News from Israel emphasizes: despite the Israeli government’s controversial decisions, Ukraine’s delegation stayed true to its principles—fighting antisemitism and standing with the Jewish people.
Conclusion: Ukraine acted with integrity. Israel must reflect
The Ambassadors of Truth conference had the potential to be a triumph—but political missteps by the organizers turned it into a source of controversy. Ukraine, nevertheless, chose to participate and demonstrated diplomatic maturity.
While the Israeli government faces reputational backlash, Ukraine and its Jewish community proved that alliance with the Jewish people is not a political maneuver but an ethical commitment.
And that became Ukraine’s main message in Jerusalem.
