The “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania has released its latest monitoring report on antisemitism, Holocaust denial and relativisation, and the glorification of war criminals, covering the period from May 2025 to April 2026.
The report, published in line with Romania’s National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Radicalisation and Hate Speech 2024–2027, warns of a noticeable deterioration in the public discourse surrounding Jews and the Holocaust.
According to the Institute, antisemitic and Holocaust-denying messages have become increasingly visible, particularly online. Traditional antisemitic conspiracy theories have been adapted to contemporary political and social debates and amplified by social media and video platforms, including accounts with tens or hundreds of thousands of followers.
The findings of an opinion poll commissioned by the Institute and conducted in November 2025 are particularly concerning. Forty per cent of respondents said they believed that Jews were “working to destabilise the society in which they live” — an increase of 18 percentage points compared with 2021.
Meanwhile, 35% supported limiting Jews’ access to certain professions, while 29% blamed Jews for the establishment of communism in Romania. The proportion of respondents who considered the Jewish minority a “problem” or “threat” had doubled since 2021, reaching 11%.
More than 40% of respondents also expressed belief in antisemitic conspiracy theories. The report highlights the persistence of both longstanding myths and newer forms of disinformation circulating online.
Attitudes towards Holocaust memory have also deteriorated. The proportion of Romanians who believe that the memory of Holocaust victims should be preserved has fallen by eight percentage points since 2021. At the same time, 30% said Jews use the Holocaust to “blackmail Romania”, while 39% believed they do so for their own interests.
One of the central issues during the reporting period was the adoption of Law No. 241/2025, amending legislation on fascist, racist and xenophobic organisations and the prevention and combating of antisemitism. The legislation was initiated by MP and President of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania, Silviu Vexler.
Rather than remaining a legislative debate, the controversy surrounding the law developed into a highly personalised campaign against Vexler. The Institute recorded antisemitic attacks, incitement to hatred and violence, and death threats directed at Vexler, journalists and other public figures who had spoken out against antisemitism or the glorification of Romania’s fascist past.
The report also documents continued attempts to rehabilitate or glorify figures associated with the Legionary Movement and Romania’s wartime regime, including Radu Gyr, Mircea Vulcănescu, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu and Octavian Goga. In 2026, a request to rehabilitate Marshal Ion Antonescu was also rejected by the Bucharest Court of Appeals.
The Institute argues that these developments demonstrate continuing attempts to rewrite Romania’s Holocaust history and diminish the responsibility of individuals associated with fascism and war crimes.
The report places particular emphasis on the role of social media, video platforms and online broadcasters in amplifying extremist narratives. Audiovisual programmes and online talk shows promoting antisemitic, Holocaust-denying or pro-Legionary views can attract tens of thousands of viewers, with some exceeding 100,000 views.
Although Romanian authorities have become more active in investigating and addressing such content, the Institute questions whether current measures are sufficient to counter its rapid dissemination. It also criticises the implementation of the EU Digital Services Act, arguing that some platforms continue to treat their responsibilities largely as a formal exercise.
The report further notes that traditional antisemitism is increasingly being expressed through anti-Zionist language in which “Zionist” is used as a substitute for “Jew”. In several cases, the rhetoric has crossed into threats, incitement to violence and attacks against Jewish institutions and individuals.
The resurgence of extremist rhetoric is not confined to digital spaces. The Institute records antisemitic, racist, xenophobic and pro-Legionary messages at political demonstrations, commemorations, sporting events and cultural activities.
Particular concern is raised over far-right football ultras and the emergence of youth groups combining physical training or combat sports with antisemitic, neo-fascist and white supremacist propaganda.
The report also highlights the growing presence of neo-Nazi black metal music and associated clothing and merchandise, as well as the continued appearance of Legionary symbols in shops and online marketplaces.
The Institute concludes that antisemitism in Romania is being reinforced by a combination of online amplification, extremist political rhetoric, inadequate responses from some institutions and persistent efforts to rehabilitate figures associated with fascism and the Holocaust.
While the increased involvement of public authorities is acknowledged, the report warns that enforcement alone will not be sufficient. Effective action will also require stronger institutional responses, greater historical awareness and more consistent responsibility from online platforms.
The findings point to a worrying conclusion: the snowball of antisemitism has not stopped rolling.
