(Tuesday, December 23, 2025) – The European Jewish Congress (EJC) strongly condemns the antisemitic harassment and threats directed at Silviu Vexler, a Member of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies, the official representative of the Jewish community in Parliament, and President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania.
The harassment occurred during and after a parliamentary vote last week on new legislation aimed at combating antisemitism, fascism, and the glorification of Holocaust perpetrators. The law was passed on December 17 and is widely regarded as one of the most robust pieces of antisemitism legislation in Europe.
“The European Jewish Congress applauds the passage of this law, but strongly condemns the antisemitic harassment and threats directed at Silviu Vexler, the initiator of the legislation,” said Dr. Moshe Kantor, EJC president. “That a Jewish lawmaker was targeted by fellow MPs and subjected to a wave of online antisemitic incitement for advancing legislation against hate shows the necessity of the law. The actions of those who stand against the law merely amply demonstrate why it is such a vital interest for Romania to have such legislation.”
“The European Jewish Congress stands in full solidarity with Silviu Vexler and with the Jewish community of Romania. We call on Romanian political leaders, and on democratic institutions across Europe, to condemn this antisemitic conduct unequivocally and to ensure that those who stand against hate are protected and celebrated, not attacked or intimidated. Antisemitism must be confronted clearly, decisively, and without compromise.”
During the parliamentary debate, Vexler was deliberately provoked by a nationalist lawmaker who placed a document on the speaker’s podium listing historical figures from Romania’s cultural canon, suggesting the legislation could be misused to censor national heritage. After the document was repeatedly returned to him, Vexler tore it up on camera. The incident triggered a surge of anti-Semitic abuse and incitement to violence against him on social media.
