France called for a collective response to “one of the worst explosions of antisemitism” in Europe’s recent history, as EU ministers gathered to discuss the issue.
French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad said he organised the gathering in Brussels with his Dutch counterpart to tackle the resurgence of antisemitic violence since the start of the war in Gaza.
“I wanted us to have… a frank conversation about the causes of the rise in antisemitism and the best ways to address it, and really make it a priority for the European institutions,” Haddad told French news agency AFP.
The meeting was arranged after supporters of an Israeli football team were attacked in Amsterdam this month, in an incident condemned by Dutch and Israeli authorities as antisemitic.
Israeli fans ‘welcome’ at France-Israel clash, French Europe Minister says.
It was attended by about a dozen ministers from other EU countries.
Dutch officials said Israeli fans were targeted in “hit-and-run” attacks by men on scooters on 7 November, after a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and local team Ajax.
Five Maccabi fans were briefly hospitalised.
Tensions were high before the match after Israeli fans chanted anti-Arab slogans, vandalised a taxi, and burnt a Palestinian flag in Amsterdam’s main square, according to police reports.
Speaking after the talks, Haddad said, however, that Europe was witnessing “one of the worst outbreaks of antisemitism” since World War II.
“When we talk about antisemitism, it is not just the defence of European Jewish communities that is at stake; it is the preservation of our fundamental values,” he said.
