Several incidents of anti-Semitism have been reported around the world this week, leading to a growing sense of alarm in Israel. The incidents, in the UK, South Africa, and several countries in Europe, has prom calls for preparations to be made for a large influx of new immigrants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted visiting Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Jerusalem on Wednesday, saying during their joint press appearance that “I [have] turned not only to Hamas but to [Palestinian Authority] President [Mahmoud] Abbas, and I said, ‘Would you recognize a Jewish state, assuming we solve the settlement problem?’ And they won’t, because the real settlement issues are the settlements of Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, Acre.”

Reports surfaced on Wednesday that there are plans to expand Jerusalem’s light rail system to connect the city center to satellite communities in the West Bank. “I see Jerusalem and the greater area around it as one unit,” Transportation Minister Israel Katz told Channel 2. “Those who live in Gush Etzion, in Binyamin, in Ma’aleh Adumim, in Beit Shemesh and in Mevaseret [Zion], must receive transportation services.” The Ministry cautioned, however, that the plans are in their very early stages and that actual construction is likely many years away.

A terrorist attempted to stab Israeli security forces at Ofra Junction in the West Bank on Thursday afternoon but was shot dead before he managed to harm anyone. An investigation into the incident was announced by the police.

The Kremlin issued an ultimatum Wednesday to rebel factions in Syria that they must leave the northern city of Aleppo by Friday evening. The rebels are to be given two corridors to leave the city, unharmed and with their weapons and equipment, between 9: 00 AM and 7:00 PM local time on Friday. Six other protected corridors are to be opened for evacuating sick and wounded civilians.

Israel must at long last acknowledge Jerusalem’s unique strategic significance as well as address the city’s demographic challenges in a way that manifests determination to keep it united under Israeli sovereignty. Jerusalem is the place where the future of the Jewish state will be determined.