Stranded Israelis face rising global antisemitism amid war with Iran

Israelis living abroad have, like Diaspora Jews, faced rising global antisemitism following the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7, 2023. In addition, around 100,000 Israelis are currently stranded overseas due to the closure of Israeli airspace amid the ongoing war with the Iranian regime.

The 27-year-old Israeli travel blogger Uri Liron recalled his experience with antisemitism in Ireland merely a few months after the Oct. 7 atrocities. 

“Everything was fine – we were talking, having a beer. Then they asked, ‘Where are you from?’” he said. 

“We hesitated but eventually said, ‘Israel.’ The second we did, everything changed. One got up and left and the other started shouting, ‘Baby killers! Why are you even here?’” he recalled. 

He recalled that the entire bar suddenly started looking at them with hostility. 

“We left everything on the table – drinks, plates – and just ran. In that kind of situation, you don’t think about advocacy or justice. You just think about staying alive,” Liron recalled. 

While Ireland stands out as a particularly hostile country towards Israel, Liron emphasized that the anti-Semitic incident was not isolated. He has visited 68 countries and assesses that the attitude towards Israel and Jews has become more hostile since the Oct. 7 attacks. 

While Israeli tourists tend to keep a low profile in Muslim-majority states, Israelis have for years been open about their identity when they visit Western countries. However, the rise of antisemitism in the post-Oct. 7 era, has pushed a growing number of Israelis to keep a lower profile and even avoid speaking Hebrew in public. 

Liron said he avoided revealing his Israeli identity during a visit in the Muslim-majority country Indonesia where there are strong anti-Israel sentiments.  

“They asked where I was from. Without thinking, I said Romania,” he said. 

“In places like Java in Indonesia, where there are Palestinian flags everywhere and graffiti of Israeli flags crossed out – it’s clear. I just say I’m Romanian. I even learned how to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in Romanian. It works,” Liron added. 

He also revealed an interesting experience with German tourists in Vietnam. 

“In Vietnam, I sat near a German couple during a motorbike tour. The guy had a ‘Free Palestine’ pin on his bag. I considered not saying I was Israeli – but I did. He looked shocked but we ended up talking for 45 minutes. I told him what happened on Oct. 7. I don’t know if I changed his mind but I was glad we spoke.”

Liron emphasizes that the whole world is not against the Jewish people. 

“The world doesn’t hate us. Sure, there’s antisemitism,” he assessed. He believes that it is a vocal and misinformed minority that is responsible for the growing hatred towards Israel and Jews. 

“Some people buy into garbage they see on TikTok or Instagram. But most of the people I’ve met – from 68 countries – either don’t care or are friendly. When I say I’m from Israel, a lot of them smile and ask about Tel Aviv.”

However, Liron still urges Israelis to be cautious while they are abroad. 

“If I sense danger, I don’t say it. If the person just seems confused or brainwashed, I feel it out.” 

He urged stranded Israelis to be pragmatic while they are abroad. 

“The world isn’t against us. Just be careful, stay aware and learn to read people. That’s the trick,” Liron concluded. 

Last month, a report released on the anniversary of the Second World War revealed record high levels of antisemitism in the world. A whopping 46% of all adults worldwide reportedly harbor some anti-Jewish sentiments according to the ADL’s antisemitism index.

The Muslim world and especially the Middle East records the highest levels of antisemitism in the world. Individuals with a Muslim immigrant background have played a disproportionate role in the dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents in Western societies.