Jewish leaders meet at the J50 Forum in Jerusalem, September 1, 2026 (Shlomi Amsalem/GPO)
On the eve of the Jewish New Year, leaders and representatives of Jewish communities and organizations from across the diaspora gathered in Jerusalem to release the so-called “J50 Declaration on Zionism and Antisemitism.” The Jewish community of Porto was represented at the conference by David Nataf. The document reaffirms the Jewish people’s right to self-determination and argues that certain manifestations of anti-Zionism constitute antisemitism.
The central point of the document is the assertion that anti-Zionism, when used to deny Jews their right to self-determination or to demand that Jews renounce Zionism in order to be accepted in political, academic, professional, or cultural settings, should be considered antisemitic. The declaration also emphasizes that Zionism is the “national movement of the Jewish people” and expresses the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in Israel.
The declaration concludes by stating that Zionism is part of Jewish identity and that this identity should not be defined by others. Read the full text:
"J50 Declaration on Zionism and Antisemitism"
"On the eve of the Jewish New Year, we, leaders and representatives of Jewish communities and organizations from every corner of the Diaspora, have come together in Jerusalem as one, united by our shared identity, common purpose, and hopes for the year ahead.
We reaffirm the right of the Jewish people to self-determination and to define our own identity. That right, however, is increasingly challenged and denied.
Governments, international institutions, municipalities and political parties, media and cultural institutions, universities and educational institutions, professional associations, and civil society are increasingly becoming arenas for the delegitimization and distortion of Zionism, serving to marginalize and exclude Jews.
Zionism is the national movement of the Jewish people and the expression of our right to self-determination in our ancient homeland, Israel. It is deeply rooted in Jewish history and tradition.
Reaffirming the principles of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, we recognize that, depending on the overall context, denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, demonizing or delegitimizing the State of Israel, or applying double standards to Israel constitute antisemitism.
Therefore, we unequivocally declare:
Anti-Zionism, as manifested today through efforts to deny the Jewish people their right to self-determination, or demand that Jews renounce Zionism as the price of acceptance in political, academic, professional, or cultural life, is antisemitic.
We call for anti-Zionism to be recognized and confronted when it is used to marginalize, exclude, or discriminate against Jews.
Zionism is part of Jewish identity. We will not allow others to define it for us."
