(Brussels, October 15, 2024) – The European Jewish Congress (EJC) welcomes the approval of a Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and Combating Antisemitism, adopted under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
This declaration comes at a time of a dramatic increase in antisemitism in Europe, particularly following the brutal Hamas massacre on 7 October, which has instilled fear and despair throughout Jewish communities across the continent.
We note with satisfaction that the rise of antisemitism related to Israel, increasingly affecting European Jews, has been recognised by EU member states in the declaration. This acknowledgment includes recognition of the distortion of the Holocaust through the inversion of victim and perpetrator, as well as the attribution of political responsibility to European Jewish citizens for the actions of the State of Israel in a moment when the ancient antisemitic trope of “dual loyalty” is widespread in our societies.
“The declaration reaffirms the urgency to fight against antisemitism in Europe amid its unprecedented rise after the worst massacre against the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” said EJC President Dr Ariel Muzicant. He highlighted that the declaration is not merely a symbolic gesture but a call to action for European governments and institutions.
“It is essential that European leaders unite in this fight. We must ensure that Jewish communities can thrive in safety and dignity,” Dr Muzicant added. He urged all member states to implement the comprehensive measures recommended, following the call of the 2020 EU Declaration to mainstream the fight against antisemitism across policy areas, and to focus not only on combating antisemitism but also on fostering Jewish life and culture across the continent.
“We are grateful to the Hungarian Presidency for their considerable efforts and their continued commitment to combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in the EU,” Dr Muzicant concluded.
The declaration calls on EU member states to adopt and implement national strategies for combating antisemitism as soon as possible, as well as appointing a national coordinator or envoy, and to update existing action plans, taking into account the rise of antisemitism following the 7th October Hamas massacre. It also encourages the use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, the protection and support of Jewish students facing antisemitism in educational spaces, and the need to ensure their safety.
The EU Council Declaration also calls on the European Commission to continue implementing the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life from 2021 while prioritising the fight against all forms of antisemitism. This declaration follows the publication of the First Progress Report on the strategy’s implementation by the European Commission, examining the initiatives, projects, and programmes executed at both the EU and national levels, as well as the national action plans and strategies of EU Member States.
