By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 4, 2026 at 12:15 AM
In a recent gathering at Congregation Ner Tamid in Henderson, former Israel-U.S. Ambassador Ron Dermer called upon the Las Vegas Jewish community to spearhead the fight against antisemitism, emphasizing the crucial role of Israel in this endeavor. During his “Unite. Fight. Lead” national tour, Dermer underscored the historical and ongoing significance of Israel to Jewish people globally, while also addressing the current state and future of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Dermer, who played a key role in the release of Israeli hostages following the October 2023 terror attacks, spoke candidly about the rise in antisemitism. He pointed out that many Jewish individuals are taken aback by the resurgence of antisemitism, attributing this surprise to a collective amnesia regarding their historical experiences. He reminded the audience that antisemitism has ebbed and flowed throughout history, predating and outlasting the Holocaust.
Highlighting the complexity of antisemitism, Dermer noted that while criticism of Israel is legitimate, it crosses into antisemitism when it involves demonization, double standards, or delegitimization. He argued that such tactics account for a significant portion of antisemitic sentiment. Dermer’s insights came as the Anti-Defamation League reported over 6,200 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2025, marking a decrease from the previous year but still the third-highest number since 1979.
Amidst these challenges, Dermer’s message was one of resilience and proactive engagement. He encouraged the Jewish community to remember their history and to actively counter antisemitism by pushing back against those who perpetuate it. This call to action resonates with the biblical principle of seeking justice and peace, as reflected in Micah 6:8, which urges believers to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Dermer’s address serves as a reminder of the enduring need for vigilance and solidarity in the face of prejudice and hatred.
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Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
