Moshe Kantor was re-elected to a new four-year mandate as president of the European Jewish Congress, the democratically-elected organization representing European Jewry.
“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved over the last few years,” Kantor said after the vote. “The voice of European Jewry is clearly visible in a united Europe, whose political weight is felt throughout the world”.
“We cannot rest on our laurels, there are many challenges for the Jewish communities of Europe to face in the coming years,” Kantor said. “Antisemitism is growing from both extremes, our traditions are under assault and Israel is constantly under threat of delegitimization”.
“However, we go into the next four years on the back of significant progress, working together with European governments and pan-European institutions who understand the growing threat of anti-Semitism and racism for all European citizens.”
The European Jewish Congress federates the democratically elected official leaders of national Jewish communities in over 40 European countries, uniting 2.5 million Jews across the continent.
Kantor received 73% of the votes, defeating his challenger, Richard Prasquier, the president of the French Jewish community.
“I am very excited about the future and I thank the delegates for placing their faith in me.”
At the same meeting, Vivian Wineman, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, was elected chairman of the EJC Council.
Kantor, 59, was first elected president of the European Jewish Congress in 2007. He is at the forefront of all key issues relating to Jews on the European continent. As president of the International Luxembourg Forum on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe, a non-governmental organization uniting world-renowned experts on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, he has focused on the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran on global stability.
He was awarded the highest level of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour this year, in recognition of his work towards the rights of minorities, promoting interfaith relations, leading the fight against racism and antisemitism and working for a more tolerant Europe.
