Newsletter Nr. 52

The 4th meeting of the European Commission Working Group on the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life was hosted by the Romanian Government, in cooperation with the European Commission, on 2 - 4 May, in Bucharest.

The working group was opened by Prime Minister of Romania, Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, followed by a keynote of European Commission Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas. Over 80 participants attended the event. The guest of honour at the dinner was Octavian Fulop, the last Romanian Auschwitz Survivor who shared his testimony with the participants.

Katharina von Schnurbein, Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, chaired the main session and contributed to the panel discussions. Alexandru Muraru, Special Representative for Promoting the Policies of Memory, for Fighting against Antisemitism and Xenophobia, Romanian Government, and Irina-Dumitrița Solomon, State Secretary, Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Romanian Government, Coordinator of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for monitoring the implementation of the National Strategy for preventing and combating antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalisation and hate speech, 2021-2023, presented the actions put forward by Romania in the fight against antisemitism.

The meeting consisted of five sessions on the following topics: 
Session 1: Fighting against antisemitism and combating Holocaust denial and distortion, and conspiracy myths - prerequisites for resilient democracies
Session 2: Updates from Member States and Jewish communities on national strategies
Session 3: EU neighborhood: Holocaust remembrance under pressure - The examples of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova
Session 4: Combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life – Good practices at regional and local level
Session 5: National involvement in the implementation of actions in the EU Strategy

Furthermore, discussions ‘under six eyes’ took place between Member States representatives and the Jewish communities to discuss next steps in their respective countries. In the context of fostering Jewish life, a cultural programme was arranged by the Romanian Government together with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania at the Holocaust Memorial, the Choral Temple, the Jewish Museum and the State Jewish Theatre.

The laudatio for the award ceremony was given by former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, first recipient of the award. Ms. von Schnurbein remarked that Europe Day, marking the Schuman declaration in 1950, was a significant day to receive the prize as the French politician had given detailed report of the Shoah to the French resistance already in 1942. Thanking ELNET she said:

“Schuman had received firsthand accounts and he spoke up, he blew the shofar – because he followed his conscience."

The ELNET Shofar Voice of Conscience award symbolizes that call to action.

In his message, Vice-President Schinas stated:

"As we intensify our work for the implementation of our first ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life we rely greatly on the input and cooperation of major Jewish civil society organisations (...). Putting an end to antisemitism in all its forms and keeping the memory of the Shoah alive is a mission we all share and that we are determined to pursue it tiresly, relentlessly together. 

Through the project 'Life-saving emergency assistance to and evacuation of people in Ukraine (2022 / 432-839)', the Commission helped organisations on the ground deliver emergency supplies across Ukraine and to contribute to saving the Ukrainian population during Russia’s war of aggression against the country.

In his opening speech, Commissioner Várhelyi stated:

"Our help for Ukraine and its citizens together with the international community must and will continue as long as the war rages on, and even beyond, during the years of recovery and reconstruction. Since the start of the war, the European Union has made available EUR 68 billion to support Ukraine. But the damages are huge, and the needs are enormous. We need to work together with Ukraine and other international partners to rebuild the country. In this regard, I am confident that trusted and reliable partners like the Federation will continue to play an important role together with us. Your contribution at times of war also help to rebuild the country with a thriving Jewish community. A peaceful and prosperous Ukraine that cherishes its Jewish culture and identity."

The project achieved the following results:

• 6,700 life-saving emergency kits were distributed to families in 180 communities (each package consisted of essential non-perishable food products, water and hygiene supplies);
• 563 emergency medical packages were delivered to those with chronic diseases or who need minor healthcare support;
• 1,801 Ukrainians were evacuated to refugee centres abroad. Support included transport, accommodation, meals, moderate medical support, and legal aid.

During her stay, she discussed action regarding the fight against antisemitism with Davor Božinović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Ivan Malenica, Minister of Justice and Public Administartion, Nina Obuljen-Koržinek, Minister of Culture and Media, Sara Lustig, Special Envoy on combating antisemitism and Teresija Gras, IHRA Co-chair. Ms. von Schnurbein visited the Synagogue and the community center and met with Dr. Ognjen Kraus, Head of the Jewish community in Croatia.

The EU Representation in Croatia hosted a debate on 'Antisemitism: still relevant today' where Ms. von Schnurbein presented the current challenges faced by the Jewish communities in Europe and world wide and the actions put forward by the EU Strategy, in the presence of students and members of the diplomatic corps.

Together with Special Envoy, Sara Lustig, Katharina von Schnurbein visited the Holocaust Victims Memorial in Jasenovac and the Holocaust memorial at the Zagreb railway station where they took the opportunity to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust by laying flowers.

During her mission in Hungary, she met with the Jewish community as well as with Hungarian government officials to discuss the development of Hungary's national strategy on combating antisemitism and the current challenges and needs of the community.

Ms. von Schnurbein paid tribute to Holocaust Survivors by laying flowers at the 'Shoe memorial', planted a tree - a Jewish tradition, and visited the Jewish quarter and the Great Synagogue.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola delivered a statement during the plenary session in Strasbourg. At the initiative of the World Jewish Congress, parliamentarians wore paper daffodils – the symbol of the Warsaw uprising.

Photo © Shahar Azran

Following the signature of Bulgaria and Croatia, 13 countries have signed the Vienna Declaration.

Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, delievered the closing remarks and stated:

"Antisemitism has to be made visible. The Commission sees todays High-level meeting on antisemitic hate crime, the 'European Conference on Antisemitism', and the Vienna Declaration as crucial. The aim is to align methodologies to record antisemitic incidents."