April 27, 2025
For the third year in a row, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed AJC Global Forum, calling on all those attending to continue to stand strong in defending the right of Israelis to live in peace and security and to keep advocating for the rights of Jews around the world.
“In this hour of turbulence and uncertainty, when so much has come into question, voices of clarity and courage have been the anchor and the adhesive that hold our societies in place,” said Herzog, speaking from Jerusalem. “American Jewish Committee has been a powerful embodiment of this voice.”
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. Throughout his address, President Herzog thanked AJC for its work around the world to create a world where Jews thrive and where Israel’s place in the world is secure.
Here are five takeaways from Herzog’s virtual address delivered at the premiere global Jewish advocacy event to 2,000 dedicated advocates and allies from over 60 countries.
1. Support for Israel is support for democracy.
“Standing with Israel is standing with a strong and vibrant Israeli democracy against the darkness and terror of extremist regimes,” Herzog said. “And let me be clear, ours is a vibrant democracy that we must actively safeguard and protect.”
But Israel isn’t the only country that faces the menace of terrorism and extremism. Those forces threaten the free world, he said. Defending the Jewish state is part and parcel to the universal value of preserving democracy around the world.
“Support for Israel should be shared by anyone, anyone who stands for the basic values of human dignity, of human life and liberty,” he said. “We here are defending the free world, and it must run deeper than any party affiliation or political trend, because standing with Israel is standing with the values that underpin our civilization.”
2. Jew-hatred around the world: "No room for Jews period"
Herzog also deplored any suggestions that Israel’s right to exist is a justifiable policy debate. Anyone who insists on debating Israel's legitimacy is motivated by only one thing, he said.
“In some quarters, Israel's very right to exist has become, once again – unbelievable – a loud and open question for debate,” he said. “This message is therefore clear. There is no room for Jews within the family of nations. That is what they are saying. There is no room for Jews period. It is a debate that is unrelated to politics or policy. It is rooted squarely in antisemitism, plain and simple, and it must be addressed as such, with no ifs and buts.”
3. American Jewish Committee has always been there for Israel
Herzog once again thanked American Jewish Committee (AJC) for its sustained and principled support.
“Along with many partners, allies and friends, this seasoned organization that has seen so much, has heard in this moment a calling and stepped up, forward to defend what is indispensable to our world: the basic values of justice and humanity,” he said.
Since the horrors of last October, AJC has stood up for Israel and confronted rampant Jew-hatred, working with global leaders to mobilize governments to support Israel’s security and condemn Iranian terror; train thousands of leaders to address antisemitism in their institutions; advocate at the highest levels for the hostages held in Gaza; and help school leaders and social media companies better protect young Jews.
“Since October 7, you've stood up, spoke out, and mobilized to defend Israel's right to live in peace and security, to demand that our hostages be returned, and to advocate for the rights of Jews everywhere – from capitals to campuses, from schools to social media, to city streets,” Herzog said.
4. ‘Free these innocent people’
Prior to President Herzog’s video address, AJC Global Forum attendees heard from rescued hostage Noa Argamani and the parents of hostages Edan Alexander and Itay Chen. Herzog concluded his remarks calling for the return of “every last one” of the hostages, saying “I end, together with you, with a dramatic call for the release of all our hostages.”
AJC has been advocating side-by-side with more than 50 hostage families—during their visits to the United States and Europe—to make sure their return remains a priority.
In addition to more than 450 meetings and press events for family members and released hostages to share their stories with lawmakers and other leaders, AJC has been helping to facilitate Congressional committee and caucus roundtable discussions with families, speeches on the House and Senate floor, and congressional vigils.
“In this hour of ongoing and despicable crime against humanity, we must raise our voices and demand their immediate return. Free these innocent people. Let them go. Bring them home now.”
