The European Union reiterated that antisemitism has no place in the EU after Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša posted an image on Twitter that made implicit reference to antisemitic conspiracy myths.
The image in question (below), referring to the Hungarian-American financier George Soros, who is Jewish, seems to insinuate that a Jew is some type of powerful puppet master, controlling politicians and exercising undue influence.
This kind of imagery has very serious historic antisemitic connotations which have been used in the past to justify attacks against Jews.
“Social media should be a place for constructive and respectful debate. It should not be a place for personal attacks against individuals, be it private or public figures,” the European Commission’s spokesperson stated.
“Antisemitism has no place in the European Union…It presents a threat not only to Jewish communities but to an open and diverse society.”
Janša made his comments on Twitter during a visit to Slovenia by a European Parliament delegation assessing press freedom and the rule of law in the country.
The EJC also criticised Janša’s tweet and called on the Slovenian PM to apologise.
The kind of imagery used by @JJansaSDS has very serious historic antisemitic connotations used to justify attacks against Jews in the past.
We call on PM Janša to apologise. Such behaviour is unworthy of the EU presidency @EU2021SI pic.twitter.com/0RSM0YKTxT
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) October 18, 2021
Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
