European Jewish Congress Executive Vice-President Raya Kalenova and Director of European Affairs Ariella Woitchik participated in the 16th EU-Israel High-Level Seminar on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, held at the European Commission in Brussels.
The annual seminar brings together European and Israeli authorities, policymakers, experts, international organisations and civil society representatives to exchange best practices and strengthen cooperation in the fight against antisemitism and other forms of hatred.
This year’s discussions focused on the key challenges facing Jewish communities, Holocaust remembrance, and Jewish life in education and research, as well as the opportunities and risks posed by artificial intelligence in countering antisemitism.
Participants included European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar (via video message), European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism Katharina von Schnurbein, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter, and representatives of Jewish organisations based in Brussels.
During the discussions, EJC Executive Vice-President Raya Kalenova stressed the importance of public authorities speaking out more forcefully against antisemitism in all its forms, including when it disguises itself as anti-Zionism. She highlighted the need for political leaders and institutions to clearly identify and confront rhetoric that targets Jewish communities under the pretext of criticism of Israel, warning that silence can contribute to the normalisation of antisemitic narratives.
The seminar reaffirmed the importance of continued EU-Israel cooperation to safeguard Jewish life, strengthen Holocaust remembrance, improve education, and address emerging challenges, including the role of digital platforms and artificial intelligence in shaping public discourse.
