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Danny Danon warns about rising antisemitism amid Iran strikes, terror attacks on US soil
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has called attention to the escalating issue of antisemitism and the ongoing threat posed by Iran. Danon underscored the global denunciation of Iran’s actions, referencing a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at addressing these concerns. He openly criticized Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, for refusing to accept responsibility for Iran’s aggressive behavior. Furthermore, Danon elaborated on Israel’s military strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, framing them as part of a prolonged campaign to safeguard Israeli security amidst mounting regional tensions. He urged the international community to take decisive action against the incitement of terrorism.
In a related development, an 11-year-old Israeli boy named Ben Carasso is actively combating antisemitism. Amid a climate where more children are being targeted due to their religious identity, Carasso has turned to social media as a platform to empower his peers with knowledge and optimism.
Carasso’s activism is informed by his firsthand experiences of multiple conflicts and wars, which have profoundly shaped his outlook and his resolve to speak out. His advocacy efforts took root shortly after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. What initially began as a personal response has since evolved into a committed mission.
He started his online outreach following the tragic incident at the Nova music festival, where a close friend’s father went missing and was later confirmed to have been killed.
“I’m speaking about it so the whole world understands what kind of childhood we have,” Carasso stated, emphasizing the importance of sharing his experiences with a global audience.
After becoming a target of antisemitic abuse, Ben Carasso decided to speak out, sharing the realities Jewish children face and urging others to use their voices to fight antisemitism. (Ben Carasso)
Carasso speaks directly to audiences in both English and Hebrew, reaching hundreds of thousands across social media. His message is clear. He aims to give a voice to children who often feel unheard, and to show that even at a young age, speaking up matters.
Born in Israel and a third-generation descendant of a Holocaust survivor, Carasso’s advocacy is shaped by both history and experience. He grew up during periods of ongoing conflict, where rocket attacks and air raid sirens are part of daily life. His posts reflect those realities, from running to shelters to supporting friends whose family members are serving on the front lines.
His advocacy has also placed him directly in the line of hostility.
After being featured in an article about Israeli children, Carasso became the target of a wave of antisemitic abuse online. Hundreds of comments appeared across social media, many directed at him personally, including Holocaust imagery telling the 11-year-old to “go back to Auschwitz like his grandfather,” while others repeated antisemitic tropes and used dehumanizing imagery.
Students participate in an anti-Israel protest on Columbia University campus. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Antisemitism is rising globally and is increasingly visible for children. Carasso says he won’t be silenced.
“My duty is to continue spreading the truth everywhere,” he said.
In an environment where misinformation spreads quickly, Carasso takes his responsibilities seriously.
“In today’s world, there’s so much misleading information online,” he said. “Just because you see a photo or a post doesn’t mean it’s true. We all have a responsibility, kids and adults, to check the facts before sharing anything.”
In recent months, Carasso traveled to Australia, where he met with Jewish children to better understand how antisemitism is affecting their lives. Among them was Summer Britvan, the sister of 10-year-old Matilda Britvan, who was killed during the Chanukah massacre at Bondi Beach.
“I met with Summer, and she opened up so much about her sister, how much she misses her, and how strong she is,” Carasso said.
An Israeli flag flutters at the memorial for victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, Israel, on May 27, 2024. (Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Those conversations, he said, are part of a broader effort to give children a voice and a way to heal, something experts say is important.
For Carasso, one of the most important gaps in social media is the absence of children’s voices.
“The side of the children is not talked about,” he said. “There are children whose parents were murdered or injured. Their lives are not the same anymore.”
He says his message remains focused on strength, courage and the responsibility to speak.
“Be yourself. Be authentic,” Carasso said. “Believe in yourself when you do advocacy. I started at the age of 8. I believe others can do it even better.”
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Carasso has received the Resilience Award from the Jewish Agency for Israel and was selected as Israel’s youngest torchbearer at the country’s Independence Day ceremony.
His advice to other kids his age, “If you believe in something, speak up and don’t be afraid.”