In a defiant and far-reaching address before the World Jewish Congress this week in Geneva, Switzerland, Mathias Döpfner, the billionaire CEO and architect of the Axel Springer media empire, issued a provocative rallying cry for the West, declaring that the defense of Israel is inseparable from the survival of democracy itself. Döpfner, whose company recently expanded its global footprint with the $766 million acquisition of the Telegraph Media Group, used the platform to reject the stigmatization of pro-Israel sentiment. “Zionism is not a dirty word,” Döpfner told the assembly. “Whether Jew or non-Jew, anyone for whom democracy, freedom, and humanity truly matter, must be a Zionist today.” The media mogul, who oversees outlets including Politico, Business Insider, and Bild, framed his support not through a religious lens, but a civilizational one. “I’m a goy,” he said, using the Hebrew word for non-Jew. “And I’m a Zionist. With all my heart, out of conviction, and with passion,” he stated. He characterized Israel as a “bridgehead of Western values in the Middle East” and a “lens of self-assured successful defense of the values of enlightenment.” Döpfner’s speech comes at a time of heightened tension across Europe, where he noted a disturbing trend of rising antisemitism, particularly within certain political movements. He specifically targeted activists who equate Zionism with prejudice. “In England, members of the Green Party… say, ‘Zionism is racism.’ There must be a misunderstanding here,” Döpfner argued. “It is not Zionism that is racism. It is anti-Zionism that is racism.” Beyond rhetorical support, the CEO proposed a radical policy shift for European nations to counter demographic imbalances and bolster cultural diversity. Pointing to the fact that the Jewish population in the E.U. and U.K. sits at roughly 0.2% — ten times less than the 2.2% seen in the United States — Döpfner called for “preferential immigration and citizenship for Jewish families.” “If the idea of a multicultural society is to be taken seriously, then there is an urgent need for greater diversity in Europe,” Döpfner said, noting the growing influence of Christian and Muslim demographics. “To put claims of tolerance to the test, it is important to make Jewish culture more visible. Europe must become more Jewish.” The speech solidifies Döpfner’s reputation as a leader who blends corporate power with unapologetic ideological conviction. Under his 22% ownership stake, Axel Springer has increasingly positioned itself as a bulwark for Transatlantic alliances. Concluding his remarks, Döpfner urged a global shift in perspective among those who value open societies. “Anyone who cares about an open society, about our way of life, should proudly declare it. We shall all be Zionists,” he said. “We need this statement and its consequences not only in Britain, but in every democratic country.” This is an absolute must-watch One of the most influential figures in the world of digital media, Mathias Döpfner, CEO of the digital media giant Axel Springer, which owns sites like Politico and Bild, gave a powerful speech about Zionism: “I am a Goy, and I am a Zionist. We… pic.twitter.com/uaHgja6CeH — Mor Edge Insight (@MorEdge_Insight) May 13, 2026