Raya Kalenova welcomes EU Strategy on combating antisemitism at European Economic and Social Committee meeting

EJC Executive Vice-President and CEO Raya Kalenova welcomed the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life at a meeting of the European Economic and Social Committee.

Ms. Kalenova spoke on behalf of Europe’s Jewish communities in a debate on antisemitism held by the EESC Section for employment, social affairs and citizenship in the context of the EESC upcoming opinion on the EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, published in October 2021 by the European Commission.

She was joined by EESC president Christa Schweng, European Commission coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life Katharina von Schnurbein, Director of A Jewish contribution to an inclusive Europe (CEJI) Robin Sclafani and President of the section for external relations at the EESC Dimitris Dimitriadis. The meeting was chaired by EESC member Laurenţiu Plosceanu.

“The EU strategy could not have come at a more crucial time for European Jews,”said Ms. Kalenova, “with antisemitic incidents almost constantly on the rise over the last decade.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made the problem much worse. The spread of conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric has brought fear and despair to our communities. Online disinformation has fueled and empowered extremist groups and individuals to act with impunity, taking advantage of the anonymity of the internet. Today, many members of the Jewish Community across the EU feel afraid of expressing their identity online and offline,” she added.

“The EU Strategy does an excellent work of drawing attention to these challenges and pointing out the way forward. If our goal is to protect Jewish life in Europe, it is important to invest in securing and safeguarding synagogues and Jewish institutions, but also protecting Jewish individuals. Setting the stage for collaboration between communities and the authorities is fundamental if we want to have an effective response to antisemitic hatred and violence.”

“The EU Strategy reflects many of the issues that we have been raising and the discussions we have been having over the last six years in our constant dialogue with European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life Katharina von Schnurbein and her team”, Ms. Kalenova continued. ” This is the outcome of six years of successful efforts to bring this issue to the forefront of the European agenda.”

“The EU Strategy will contribute a long way towards guaranteeing and preserving Jewish life and culture in the EU and beyond. This makes us optimistic about the future. We no longer feel we are alone.”

“We therefore encourage the European Economic and Social Committee to welcome the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in its entirety,” Ms. Kalenova concluded.

The debate took place in preparation of the EESC opinion on the EU Strategy by rapporteur Ákos Topolánszky.

The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year. 70% are referrals by the Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament. 21% are own-initiative opinions and information reports, while 9% are exploratory opinions generally requested by the country holding the EU Presidency.

This was the second time since 2019 that the EESC, a consultative body of the European Union composed of members of employer organisations, trade unions representatives of social, occupational, economic and cultural organisations, has devoted a session to the fight against antisemitism.

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