Jewish diaspora organizations expressed concern for Israel and increased their own security preparedness as Iran launched drones against Israel on Saturday night.
The Jewish Federation said it was comforted by IDF statements that the situation was under control and by the statements of support by the United States of America, but was watching “Iran’s launch of an attack on Israel with extreme concern.”
“We are monitoring the situation very closely and join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Israel,” said the federation.
World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder condemned Iran’s attack, and urged the international community to join him in holding them accountable and calling for a cessation of hostilities.
“We stand united with Israel during this critical moment and extend our deepest appreciation to the United States and all international allies who are demonstrating unwavering support for Israel, both militarily and diplomatically. Their commitment reinforces the global stance against terrorism and aggression, ensuring that the ideals of democracy and peace are upheld,” said Lauder. “Iran’s actions, as the primary state sponsor of terrorism, pose a grave threat to global stability. This egregious act of aggression undermines efforts for peace and will ignite a tinderbox, unleashing further violence with potentially devastating impacts on countless innocent lives.”
The European Jewish Congress said that it stood “united with our Israeli brothers and sisters and pray for their safety as Iran launches dozens of drones toward the country.”
“We strongly condemn Iran’s attack and extend our deepest appreciation to the US and all international allies for their unwavering support for Israel, both militarily and diplomatically,” said EJC.
Preparing for attacks in the diaspora
The American Jewish Committee said that it was praying for the people of Israel and that it vehemently condemns “this act of aggression from Iran and thank the US for their unwavering support for Israel during this critical time.”
Bnai Brith International thanked Israel’s partners and allies for their support and said that they “are keeping the people of #Israel in our hearts.”
The Israeli-American Council thanked President Joe Biden and said that the organization stood “in strongest support of Israel’s right to use any and all means necessary to defend itself against Iran and its proxies. Israel’s right to eliminate the genocidal threats facing the Jewish people is inalienable.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called on Canada to renew arms trade with Israel, and stated that the “Canadian Jewish community stands fully and squarely behind Israel and its people.”
The Anti-Defamation League said that it was deeply concerned by news of the attack by “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism”and thanked the White House for its support of Israel.
Combat Antisemitism Movement CEO Sacha Roytman assured Israel that the whole world stood united with it in a social media post on Saturday night.
The Conference of European Rabbis said that Jewish communities in Europe were raising their level of preparedness, given the history of Iranian proxies attacking Jewish targets on the continent.
“We are closely monitoring the Iranian attack on Israel and its implications for the security of Jews in the diaspora,” said conference president Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt. ‘We are in contact with all the leaders of the Jewish communities and security officials across the continent. I call on all Jews across Europe to remain vigilant in community institutions and to act responsibly in the public sphere.”
US Jewish political groups react to Iranian attack on Israel
Leaders of the Republican Jewish Coalition and Jewish Democratic Council of America condemn the missile and drone attacks against Israel and express support for Israel’s right to self-defense in statements released Saturday night.
Halie Soifer, CEO of JDCA, said a direct Iranian strike on Israeli territory is unprecedented and will have significant implications.
“Amid this wave of ongoing Iranian strikes, we are deeply concerned about the safety of the Israeli people, and strongly support Israel’s security and right to self-defense,” Soifer said.
Soifer said American Jews are grateful that the Biden White House has conveyed “ironclad support” for Israel’s security and positioned US military assets to bolster Israel’s defense.
RJC CEO Matt Brooks, who has been critical of President Biden throughout the war, did not mention the president in his statement. Brooks said the safety and security of Israel and its people remain a top priority for the RJC.
“The recent escalation in attacks underscores the urgent need for the international community to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions,” Brooks said. “We call upon world leaders to condemn these acts of aggression in the strongest possible terms and to take decisive action to ensure that Iran is deterred from further acts of terror.”
The UK-based Community Security Trust said that it had sent a notice to communities to fully implement all security measures due to the hostilities between Israel and Iran, but not because of any specific warnings.
