Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz has appointed Jerusalem Center Fellow Fiamma Nirenstein as the Foreign Ministry’s Special Advisor for Combating Antisemitism.
Nirenstein is an accomplished journalist, author, and speaker specializing in antisemitism, the Middle East conflict, Islam, terrorism, and human rights. Throughout her journalistic and professional career, she has exposed movements promoting antisemitism against both diaspora and Israeli Jews, and she was among the first to link modern antisemitism to anti-Zionism and hostility toward the State of Israel.
Nirenstein has authored over 20 books and thousands of articles on antisemitism. Her work has earned her more than 20 awards for journalistic contributions. In the past, she served as the Deputy Chair of the Italian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and as a member of Parliament. In 2011, she was recognized as one of the 50 most influential Jews worldwide.
Among her other roles, Nirenstein co-founded the Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism and received the Knesset Israel Prize for her commitment to fighting antisemitism. She is also a senior research fellow at the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP), a member of the Israeli Council on Foreign Relations of the World Jewish Congress, and part of the advisory council of NGO Monitor. Previously, she served as the President of the World Jewish Parliamentarians Association, a diplomatic attaché at the Italian Embassy in Israel, and managed the Italian Cultural Institute in Tel Aviv. Nirenstein holds a bachelor’s degree in modern history from the University of Florence and has taught Middle Eastern history at LUISS University in Rome.
Her new role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be voluntary. Dr. Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, welcomed the appointment, emphasizing the importance of Nirenstein’s rich experience and commitment to the ongoing fight against antisemitism: “This appointment comes at a critical time, following Hamas’ attack in October and anti-Israel protests on campuses worldwide, and it is expected to contribute significantly to addressing this crucial issue and ensuring a safer future.”
