Executive Vice-President and CEO of the European Jewish Congress (EJC) Raya Kalenova addressed the 6th Meeting of the Working Group on the Implementation of the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life in Budapest. The meeting held at the Rumbach synagogue was organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
During her address, Ms Kalenova emphasised that “Europe can only thrive when its Jewish communities are safe. When we can no longer exist safely, it signals that our continent has become a dangerous place for everyone.”
She highlighted the shift in focus for Jewish communities, stating that “before October 7th, our biggest concern was how to foster Jewish life on the continent. However, nowadays, we find ourselves questioning what we would be able to foster if parents are scared to bring their kids to Jewish schools, Jewish students fear going to university campuses, and worshippers are scared to pray at synagogues. Despite the undeniable evidence and facts when it comes to Jews – it seems people become blind and deaf.”
Ms Kalenova raised awareness of the current reality, exacerbated by the demonisation of the State of Israel in public discourse. “Now more than ever, antisemitism, thinly disguised as anti-Zionism, is being expressed openly across Europe, including by politicians, journalists, and artists. Fuelling Jew-hate and encouraging violent physical and online attacks against Jewish individuals has real consequences. We must act now and adopt a strict and robust stance against those within our European societies who seek to destroy the only Jewish state”
Speaking on behalf of European Jewish communities, she discussed the ongoing challenges in the continent amid the dramatic rise in antisemitism following the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7th, alongside Deputy State Secretary at the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky.
The meeting brought together representatives of national Jewish communities, international and civil society organisations, national ministries, and senior officials from European institutions, including the European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein.
EJC Director of European Affairs Ariella Woitchik, alongside representatives from EJC-affiliated communities across the European Union, also attended the meeting, expressing their concerns on the one-year anniversary of the worst tragedy for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
Among the fruitful discussions were the effective prosecution of antisemitic incidents, the role of the IHRA definition, the need to foster Jewish life and culture, and Holocaust remembrance.
The meeting also included a visit to the Dohany synagogue, which is central to Jewish life in the Hungarian capital, as well as a solemn ceremony at the Holocaust Memorial Center commemorating the 80th anniversary of the deportation of Hungarian Jews by Nazi Germany.
European Union Affairs Minister János Bóka delivered a poignant speech at the commemoration ceremony, highlighting that Hungary is “fighting antisemitism and defending Jewish communities. And we do it for Europe,” adding that if the continent “abandons its Jewish heritage, it won’t be Europe anymore; it will be something else.”
The participants of the Working Group were warmly hosted and welcomed by the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (MAZSIHISZ) and its President, Dr Andor Grósz, in the Hungarian capital.
