In a letter written on Monday, viewed by the Mail, Mr. Herzog expressed: ‘The nations that collectively resisted fascism and Nazism eighty years ago are now overwhelmed by anti-Jewish hatred. It is evident that the increase in antisemitism is closely linked to the Middle East’s developments, but it is crucial that the free world does not let the conflict be misused as a political weapon against Jewish people.’

‘I would immensely appreciate it if Your Majesty could share these critical concerns with leaders throughout the Commonwealth and beyond, using your influential voice to advocate for public initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and education regarding antisemitism and its historical context. Education, remembrance, and prudent leadership are essential to prevent hatred from gaining a foothold in our societies.’

Mr. Herzog highlighted a 316% rise in reported anti-Semitic incidents in Australia, alongside a 58% increase in the UK following the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023. Similarly, in Canada, Jewish citizens face hate crimes 25 times more frequently than others, making them the most commonly targeted religious minority.

He described ‘repeated shootings’ in Ottawa, where a Jewish woman was stabbed, and several synagogues in Canada have been vandalized, including the oldest one in Western Canada. In Australia, the Jewish community has endured ‘a series of violent arson and firebombing attacks against synagogues, schools, and businesses,’ he wrote. In a social media post, Mr. Herzog remarked: ‘Just days ago, I conveyed a letter to His Majesty King Charles III, expressing my profound concern over the rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel animosity in the UK and other Commonwealth nations, such as Australia and Canada.’

‘Today’s tragic events regrettably illustrate the reality and urgency of this threat, necessitating decisive and uncompromising action against it.’ Mr. Herzog implored King Charles as ‘a highly valued and genuine friend of the Jewish community, and as a critical voice for moral clarity in these challenging times.’ His Majesty regards himself as a ‘multi-faith leader’ and penned a letter to the Israeli President acknowledging Israel’s 77th independence anniversary in April this year. King Charles expressed that he and the Queen were mindful of the ‘enormous pain and suffering’ of the hostages and that their ‘special thoughts and prayers’ were directed towards those families.

He added that it was his ‘profound hope that they are able to return home to their loved ones and that there is peace in the region’. On today’s attack in Manchester, the King said he and the Queen were ‘deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the horror, especially on such a significant day for the Jewish community’. Charles, in a message issued by Buckingham Palace, said his thoughts and prayers were with all those affected by ‘this appalling incident’ as he praised the ‘swift actions’ of the emergency services. Writing this week, Mr Herzog said that sadly the ‘three proud democracies’ of the UK, Australia and Canada are now ‘three countries where Jews no longer feel safe’.

He referred to the late Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks as ‘a man we both dearly loved and respected’ before quoting his comments that anti-Semitism is ‘the world’s most reliable early warning sign of a major threat to freedom’. Mr Herzog said: ‘These statistics and testimonies point to one very grave reality: the world, and the Commonwealth in particular, is suffering from an epidemic of antisemitism posing a real and present danger to the wellbeing of not only the Jews, but all in society. The King has been a longstanding supporter of the Jewish community and was the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz in January.

Attending an event to commemorate 80 years since the Nazi death camp’s liberation, he warned of the ‘dangerous re-emergence of anti-Semitism’. His Majesty commissioned seven artists to paint portraits of seven Holocaust survivors in 2022. ‘As the number of Holocaust survivors sadly but inevitably declines, my abiding hope is that this special collection will act as a further guiding light,’ he said at the time. A Palace spokesman said: ‘We would not comment on private correspondence.’