I often hear opinions that there is no place for Jews in the diaspora. Israel, as the Jewish state, provides a much safer place than ever-occurring violent attacks in, for example, France. However, I present facts that Jews are not safer in Israel than in the diaspora.
Violent attacks in the diaspora
Rabbi Moshe Sebbag, who leads the Grand Synagogue in Paris, stated that “there is no future for Jews in France” due to increasing anti-Semitism. He urged young Jews to consider moving to Israel or other more secure countries. His comments reflect the growing concern within the Jewish community about their safety in France, as incidents of anti-Semitism have surged in recent years.
Over the past two years, anti-Semitic violence in the Jewish diaspora has continued to be a significant concern. In France, where the Jewish community faces rising anti-Semitism, numerous incidents have occurred. This included verbal harassment, physical attacks, and even fatal violence. High-profile attacks on synagogues and individuals led some Jewish leaders to encourage emigration to Israel due to safety concerns. In the United States, deadly incidents such as the Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis in 2022 reflect ongoing threats. Additionally, many Jews in Argentina and Germany have faced rising anti-Semitic attacks. Some of them involve physical violence and desecration of synagogues.
In terms of fatalities, while the numbers remain smaller compared to past centuries of pogroms and large-scale atrocities, isolated incidents have caused at least several dozen deaths globally within the Jewish diaspora over this period. In the U.S., the Poway synagogue shooting in 2019 (just outside the two-year mark) is one of the notable instances. The broader trend includes a sharp rise in violent incidents, including stabbings and assaults in cities with sizable Jewish populations.
Hate crimes
Beyond fatalities, hundreds of violent incidents have been reported, including physical assaults, vandalism of Jewish institutions, and targeted hate crimes. Europe and North America are major regions where such acts have been recorded, often reflecting a worrying surge in anti-Semitism. The Community Security Trust (CST) in the UK, for example, recorded hundreds of anti-Semitic incidents in recent years, with some of them involving violent attacks against Jewish individuals.
In Germany, reports of rising anti-Semitism have led to increased protection for Jewish institutions. Several violent attacks against synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses have occurred, though fatal incidents have been rare. Many of these attacks are linked to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where protests sometimes turn violent.
In total, while the number of Jewish deaths from violence in the diaspora over the last two years might not exceed several dozen, the overall environment has become more hostile, with spikes in physical violence, vandalism, and harassment across multiple countries. The global Jewish community remains vigilant, with increased security at synagogues and Jewish schools becoming a new norm in many parts of the world.
Are Jews not safer in Israel? How many Jews died in Israel due to violence in the last two years
Over the last two years, violence has claimed the lives of around 1,400 to 1,500 Israelis. In 2022, at least 27 Israelis died in various types of attacks. Many of these deaths resulted from stabbings, shootings, and car-ramming incidents. These acts of violence occurred in cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as in the West Bank. Israeli soldiers, civilians, and settlers were targeted in ambushes and attacks at military posts.
In 2023, the violence escalated dramatically, particularly during the Hamas-led assault in October. This attack killed over 1,300 Israelis (and I am nearly convinced the Israeli intelligence must have known about it), with southern towns and cities bearing the brunt of the violence. Rocket fire from Gaza and cross-border incursions accounted for a significant portion of these casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have suffered significant casualties, especially following the October 2023 Hamas attack. As of early 2024, around 331 IDF soldiers had died since that attack, mostly during ongoing operations in Gaza.
In addition to these larger-scale assaults, smaller attacks continued throughout the two years. Stabbings, car-ramming incidents, and shootings took place with alarming frequency, especially in areas with mixed populations and military checkpoints. These more frequent, lower-scale acts of violence added to the death toll, contributing to the overall numbers from 2022 and 2023.
Jews are not safer in Israel and the possibility of other Middle Eastern violence
Israel is located in the most volatile and segmented region that exists on this planet.
It faces numerous existential threats, with Iran being a central concern. Iran’s nuclear ambitions represent the most significant threat, as Israel views any nuclear capability as intolerable. This could lead to preemptive strikes by Israel, with the potential for full-scale conflict. Iran’s support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and various militias in Syria further adds to the risks, creating the possibility of a multi-front war against Israel. Hezbollah’s vast rocket arsenal, coupled with Iran’s influence in Syria, could result in large-scale coordinated attacks.
In addition, Hamas in Gaza continues to threaten southern Israel with rocket fire, tunnel infiltrations, and the potential for larger conflicts. The risk of a broader regional war grows as Iran consolidates its power in Syria and supports proxy groups near Israel’s borders.
Domestically, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem remain volatile. Any increase in violence, such as unrest at religious sites or further settlement expansion, could lead to escalations, potentially triggering another intifada. Lone wolf attacks, including stabbings and car-rammings, pose a persistent internal security challenge.
Israel’s relatively new peace deals with Arab nations through the Abraham Accords could provoke retaliatory violence from Iran or its proxies.
The combination of these external and internal threats puts Israel in a precarious position, with the possibility of simultaneous conflicts on multiple fronts.
Conclusion
Despite horrible anti-Semitic violence and attacks in the Jewish diaspora, the “exile” is much safer than living in Israel which faces existential threats, terrorism, and fatal violence.
However, if we leave religions, tribalism (us/them), and get rid of clinetelism, the world can be a much better place.
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