US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the world on Wednesday to condemn rising anti-Semitism and bigotry and unite in the struggle against violent extremism and "terrorist bigots," speaking Wednesday at a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the adoption of a UN resolution equating Zionism with racism.
The US secretary of state, who met earlier this week with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was a late addition to the program which included Herzog's son, Isaac, currently Israel's opposition leader, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The event, organized by Israel's UN Mission and attended by more than 400 diplomats and members of Jewish organizations, came on a day that the European Union announced that it will start labeling Israeli products made in the West Bank , a move denounced by Israeli leaders.
"Today, our focus must be on the many manifestations of hatred and intolerance that blight the global landscape - resurgent anti-Semitism, wide-ranging anti-Muslim bigotry and attacks, discrimination against migrants and refugees," the UN chief said.