"Thirty countries have seen the need to appoint someone in my role because of the increase in antisemitism," stated Michal Cotler Wunsh, Israel's Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, in an interview with Zvika Klein, Deputy-Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post.
Cotler Wunsh, who joined the international coalition of special envoys, emphasized the significant rise in antisemitic incidents worldwide. "We should be aware that there are about 30 of us around the world, which is a testament to the sad state of affairs," she said. Her role, rooted in decades of research, activism and legislative experience, focuses on combating antisemitism across various fronts, including law, academia and digital spaces.
“Jewish students are increasingly finding themselves in precarious situations at universities, facing the dilemma of being locked in campus spaces or being too afraid to even enter. Some are even compelled to use back doors to enter or leave these spaces," she said.
“This alarming situation serves as a stark moment of reckoning. As I've emphasized, this is not solely a concern for Jews or the State of Israel alone; we are positioned on the front lines of this struggle," the special envoy said.
"We resemble the proverbial 'bloody canary in the mineshaft,' signaling a wider danger. This analogy underscores the crucial lesson of 'Never Again,' reminding us that history tends to repeat itself. The collapse of the mineshaft, in this metaphor, symbolizes the broader societal breakdown that can ensue if these issues are not addressed. Therefore, as we mark 85 years since Kristallnacht, it becomes imperative that we confront this moment with a profound sense of existential urgency and responsibility,” she said.
Discussing the evolution of antisemitism, Cotler Wunsh referred to the Hamas massacre in Gaza communities on October 7, where at least 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage, as "10/7," drawing a parallel to 9/11. She insisted that "The world cannot continue, as if nothing happened post-10/7; the world is not the same as it was the day before."
She further drew attention to historical events like Kristallnacht, stating, "10/7 is a moment in time that is just like Kristallnacht." She emphasized that the fight against antisemitism is not only a Jewish concern but a matter of global importance, affecting the foundational principles of life and liberty.
As the special envoy appointed by the State of Israel, Cotler Wunsh described her unique position and the broader implications of her work. "Anybody serious about identifying and combating antisemitism cannot do so without the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition," she explained, emphasizing that it is pivotal for "combating this current strain of antisemitism."
She also shared her sense of urgency and responsibility, stating, "I am the special envoy for combating antisemitism for Jews around the world. And it's with that urgency that I got on a plane" to meet with other special envoys in Munich "just days after we buried our best friend's son."