Newsletter Nr. 63

On 7 - 8 May 2024, the European Commission and the State of Israel held their 15th EU-Israel High-Level Seminar on combating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism in Brussels. The Seminar takes place against the background of an unprecedented rise of antisemitism in Europe and worldwide after the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023. The European Commission and the State of Israel reaffirm their full support to European Jewish communities in these difficult times. Determined to fight all forms of antisemitic manifestations, they agreed to strengthen their cooperation in fighting antisemitism, particularly online as well as Holocaust distortion and denial in the digital sphere. 

The meeting was opened by Margaritis Schinas, European Commission Vice President for Promoting Our European Way of Life, Israel Katz, Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs and on behalf of EU Member States, Aurore Bergé, France Minister for Gender Equality and Fight against discriminations and Maria Alexandra Kefala, Greece Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family.

European Commission Vice-President for Promoting Our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, stated in his opening speech: 

“Antisemitism is incompatible with what the European Union stands for – it goes against European values and the model of society we represent. But today we are better equipped to fight antisemitism in Europe than before, drawing on the first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism we adopted in 2021. Now is the time to step up its implementation, with EU Member States and in collaboration with our key partners.” 

Israel Katz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, emphasized: 

"The October 7th Hamas attack, which claimed the lives of almost 1200 infants, children, young and older women and men, is the ultimate expression of hatred of Jews and Israel. Over 250 were taken hostage, 133 are still held by Hamas. Following the attack, we have experienced an unprecedented wave of antisemitism in Europe and elsewhere around the world. The State of Israel has a moral obligation to every Jew and Israeli around the world, but every country, home to Jews is responsible for ensuring their safety, security and their basic rights as citizens. Antisemitism is not only a Jewish matter, but is, above all, a fatal violation of basic human rights; it should be in the interest of societies seeking peace and life to eradicate it. We must join hands and stand together facing this challenge to our common future."

The two sides reaffirmed the commitment to work together and in cooperation with civil society to make sure that the challenge of antisemitism is answered. They also reaffirmed that, especially following the October 7th attack, the IHRA working definition on antisemitism is the leading most effective tool to combat antisemitism, given its rights-based and victim-centered approach. 

The following topics were discussed as part of the Seminar: the rise of antisemitism after 7 October and its impact on Jewish communities in Europe; artificial intelligence, antisemitism and radicalization; progresses and challenges on the fight against antisemitism; and addressing online antisemitism. 

Read full press release here. 

In her address, she stated:

"Currently, we see a dichotomy: Since the adoption of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in 2021, we have seen progress with regards to actions taken against antisemitism and in support of Jewish life. The EU strategy led to the commitment by EU Member States to appoint national special envoys, adopt a strategy against antisemitism and use the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the basis for their work. Also, awareness about antisemitism being a threat first and foremost to the Jews, but also to democracy and – as we see increasingly to national security has grown among state actors and the public. On the other side, following the atrocious attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israeli civilians on 7 October, we are faced with a tsunami of antisemitism online and on the streets that has led to the highest level of incidents since the end of the Shoah. We need to revisit our instruments and step up our actions.”

About ENMA, Ms. von Schnurbein stated:

“You need to make antisemitism visible in order to be able to fight it. Currently we are missing a scientific methodology that has the trust of the Jewish communities. The EU is supporting the establishment of the European Network Monitoring Antisemitism to strengthen the capacity among organisations that monitor incidents across Europe. Getting an adequate picture of antisemitism in our societies is a precondition to properly inform politicians and decision makers. We welcome that RIAS is teaming up with Czulent and the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien, and belief that ENMA’s methodology has the potential to make a very significant contribution to our common fight against antisemitism.”

The European Network on Monitoring Antisemitism (ENMA) is a coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish civil-society organisations in Europe, with the goal of providing comparable data on antisemitic incidents. ENMA aims to build a sustainable reporting infrastructure that will serve Jewish communities and affected persons across Europe. Furthermore, ENMA serves as a gateway to data on antisemitism for Jewish communities,  decision makers, academics and journalists.

This online debate will complement and feed into the deliberations of the European Citizens’ Panel on the topic of Tackling Hatred in Society. You can contribute and start a dialogue with other EU citizens by registering on the Platform.

The third session of the European Citizen’s Panel will take place from 17 to 19 May 2024. Please be aware that the Panel’s plenary sessions on 17 and 19 May will be publicly web streamed via this link. 

The second Horizon Europe strategic plan will steer research and innovation funding within and beyond Europe to tackle key global challenges such as: (i) climate change; (ii) pollution; (iii) the loss of biodiversity; (iv) the digital transition; and (v) an ageing population. From fundamental research all the way through to breakthrough innovation and the deployment of innovative solutions, the strategic plan steers investment into the green and digital transition, building a more resilient, competitive, democratic and inclusive Europe. 

The second Horizon Europe strategic plan refers to the Commission aims to fund actions that will aim to support the creation of a European research hub on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life and culture (see page 73), and will also seek to deepen understanding of hatred, identifying its drivers and ways to address it.

The Horizon Europe main Work Programme 2025 will be developed following the orientations of the newly adopted strategic plan.