"Newsletter Combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life" Newsletter Issues

From adoption to implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (17/12/2021)

14 - 15 December 2021 - The European Commission held its first Working Group on the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life with Member States and national Jewish communities representatives as well as experts and European and international Jewish organisations.

Human rights and democracy: EU launches a €1.5 billion plan to promote universal values (17/12/2021)

On the eve of Human Rights Day and coinciding with the Summit for Democracy, the EU launches the Global Europe Human Rights and Democracy programme, worth €1.5 billion.

The Commission proposes to extend the list of ‘EU crimes' to hate speech and hate crime (17/12/2021)

The European Commission presented an initiative to extend the list of ‘EU crimes' to hate speech and hate crime, as announced by President von der Leyen in her 2020 State of the Union speech.

Equality bodies – binding standards (17/12/2021)

The European Commission opened a public consultation in order to strengthen equality bodies by setting minimum standards for their functioning in all grounds and fields covered by the EU Equality Directives.

Opening of the call for proposals to promote and protect Union values (17/12/2021)

The European Commission open a new call for proposals to promote and protect Union values under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV).

General Affairs Council addresses antisemitism (17/12/2021)

14 December 2021 - The General Affairs Council held a debate on combating antisemitism following the adoption by the Commission of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life and the recently released report on antisemitic incidents recorded in the European Union (2010-2020) by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

Katharina von Schnurbein presents the EU Antisemitism Strategy at various events (17/12/2021)

The European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, took active part in various events and presented the newly adopted strategy tackling antisemitism in Europe and beyond as well as the steps forward for its implementation.

Euro-Hanukah 2021 (03/12/2021)

Chag Chanukkah Sameach.

President von der Leyen joins Jewish community in celebrating Chanukah (03/12/2021)

2 December 2021 - Ursula von der Leyen celebrated the Chanukah by lighting the candle of the Chanukia in the heart of the European quarter in Brussels, Schuman square, marking the sixth day of the Jewish festival of lights.

Vice-President Schinas hosts EuroChanukah 2021 (03/12/2021)

29 November 2021 - Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, Commissioner for Promoting our European Way of Life, hosted the EuroChanukah celebration in the European Commission by lighting the third Chanukah candle. He talked about the importance of fostering Jewish life in the EU with European Jewish communities, Commission colleagues and citizens.

Photo Gallery Euro-Chanukah 2021 (03/12/2021)

Photos President von der Leyen and Vice-President Schinas

Initiatives on combating antisemitism and Holocaust education (28/11/2021)

Deadline: March 2022

Call for proposals to promote equality and to fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination (28/11/2021)

Deadline: 24/02/2022

Call for proposals on European Remembrance including remembrance, education and research on the Holocaust (28/11/2021)

Deadline: 24/03/2022

Vice-President Schinas meets Jewish community of Greece (12/11/2021)

3 November 2021 - European Commission Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, met with members of the Presidium of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS) at the offices of the Organization and also visited the Jewish Museum of Greece.

Vice-President Schinas pays tribute to the victims of Baby Yar massacre (12/11/2021)

80 years since the Baby Yar tragedy, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust by laying a wrath at the monument dedicated to the memory of massacred Jews. He expressed his commitment not only to remember, but to act and spare no effort in fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate.

Katharina von Schnurbein bestowed with Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal (12/11/2021)

10 November 2021 - Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, was awarded the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG Wien) for her 'extraordinary commitment against antisemitism and for Jewish life in Europe'.

European Parliament LIBE Committee addresses antisemitism (12/11/2021)

9 November 2021 - Vice-President Schinas addressed the LIBE Committee of the European Parliament and presented the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. He emphasized that Holocaust and antisemitism are stains on our history, and it was a long overdue duty to present a strategy on combating antisemitism.

European Commission attended IHRA Thessaloniki Plenary (12/11/2021)

2 to 10 November 2021 - European Commission, as a Permanent International Partner, took active part in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) second biannual Plenary of 2021 under the Greek Presidency, hosted virtually in Thessaloniki.

EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life presented to Jewish leaders (12/11/2021)

10 November 2021 - Katharina von Schnurbein, briefed the European Jewish Congress (EJC) Executive Members on the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. She presented the important policy calls and recommendations included in the strategy and the support it brings in fostering a prosperous life for the Jewish communities in the EU.

Meeting with the women's section of SPÖ in Vienna (12/11/2021)

9 November 2021 – The Favoriten Women section of SPÖ in Vienna were presented with ways and best practices to combat antisemitism by Katharina von Schnurbein, based on the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life as well as the work done so far by the European Commission in ensuring an EU free from antisemitism.

FRA publishes Annual Overview on Antisemitism (12/11/2021)

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Annual Overview of antisemitic incidents recorded in the European Union found that incidents of hatred against Jews have been evident throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Even though in some countries the number of antisemitic incidents decreased, the main problem remains the same across Europe – most incidents still go unreported.

Unveiling ceremony of the 'Shoah Wall of Names' memorial in Vienna (12/11/2021)

9 November 2021 - On the 83rd commemoration anniversary of Kristallnacht, Austria unveiled the 'Shoah Wall of Names', a Holocaust memorial engraved with the names of some 64,440 Austrian Jewish children, women and men who perished during the Holocaust, located in the center of Vienna.

Commission's coordinator on combating antisemitism visits the Jewish Museum of Vienna (12/11/2021)

9 November 2021 - During a visit of the Jewish Community of Vienna, Katharina von Schnurbein met with Dr Danielle Spera, the Director of the museum, to discuss successful educational tools to reach out to young people, including migrants with messages about Jewish life, antisemitism and the Holocaust.

European Commission addresses antisemitism in sports (12/11/2021)

10 November 2021 - Katharina von Schnurbein, presented the work of the European Commission to tackle discrimination and antisemitism in sports and refered to the newly adopted EU strategy on combating antisemiitsm and fostering Jewish life at the conference 'Global Conference on Football's Role in Combatting Antisemitism'.

European Council Conclusions welcome EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (22/10/2021)

21 October 2021 - The Council of the European Union welcomed the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in the Council Conclusions of 21 October 2021 and praised the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism as a means to support the efforts to combat antisemitism.

European Commission presents EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life in a CAM Webinar (22/10/2021)

20 October 2021 - Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, presented the newly-adopted first ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, in a webinar organised by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). 

President von der Leyen and Vice-President Schinas attend Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism (14/10/2021)

13 October 2021

Commission co-organises meeting of Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating antisemitism (14/10/2021)

14 October 2021

Vice-President Margaritis Schinas attends Malmö Forum (14/10/2021)

Vice-President Margaritis Schinas presented the key actions put forward by the European Commission in a session on countering and combating contemporary antisemitism in all its forms and manifestations, online and offline.

Katharina von Schnurbein addresses antisemitism online (13/10/2021)

During the breakout session on 'Combating antisemitism and hate speech on social media', Katharina von Schnurbein presented the Commission's pledge to address antisemitism online with strong legislation, a network of trusted flaggers to remove illegal hate speech and fact checkers to address conspiracy and disinformation. The Commission is determined to responsibilise platforms and prosecute online haters.

President von der Leyen pledges EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (14/10/2021)

President von der Leyen welcomed the initiative of the Malmö Forum to jointly pledge concrete actions to fight antisemitism and to eradicate it.

The EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021-2030) (04/10/2021)

5 October 2021

TOWARDS A EU FREE FROM ANTISEMITISM (04/10/2021)

The Strategy sets out measures focusing on: (1) preventing and combating all forms of antisemitism; (2) protecting and fostering Jewish life in the EU; and (3) education, research and Holocaust remembrance. These measures are complemented by the EU's international efforts to address antisemitism globally. Some of the key measures in the Strategy include:

I. Preventing and combating all forms of antisemitism (04/10/2021)

To address the rise of antisemitism, the Commission will: mobilise EU funds and support Member States in designing and implementing their national strategies; support the creation of a Europe-wide network of trusted flaggers and Jewish organisations to remove illegal online hate speech, and the development of narratives countering antisemitic content online; cooperate with industry and IT companies to prevent the illegal display and selling of Nazi-related symbols, memorabilia and literature online.

II. Protecting and fostering Jewish life in the EU (04/10/2021)

To ensure that Jews feel safe and can participate fully in European life and to foster Jewish life, the Commission will: provide EU funding to better protect public spaces and places of worship (€24 million for the call for proposals of 2022); encourage Member States to make use of Europol’s support regarding counter terrorism activities, both online and offline; take measures to safeguard Jewish heritage and raise awareness around Jewish life, culture and traditions.

III. Education, research and Holocaust remembrance (04/10/2021)

To keep the memory alive and promote remembrance of the Holocaust, the Commission will support the creation of a network of places ‘where the Holocaust happened’ and of a new network of Young European Ambassadors. It will support also the creation of a European research hub on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life. To highlight Jewish heritage, the Commission will invite cities applying for the title of European Capital of Culture to address the history of their minorities, including Jewish community history.

Leading the global fight against antisemitism (04/10/2021)

The EU will use all available tools to call on partner countries to actively combat antisemitism, taking into account the IHRA definition of antisemitism. It will ensure that EU external funds may not be misallocated to activities that incite hatred and violence, including against Jewish people. The EU will strengthen EU-Israel cooperation in the fight against antisemitism and promote the revitalisation of Jewish heritage worldwide.

State of the Union 2021 (16/09/2021)

15 September 2021 - President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union 2021 speech in the European Parliament outlining the flagship initiatives which the Commission plans to undertake in the coming year.

CERV programme – stakeholder analysis and monitoring framework (16/09/2021)

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers is conducting an online survey as part of a comprehensive study to support the new “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values" programme. Central in the new programme is the Union values strand. The objective is to support the protection and promotion of the rule of law, fundamental rights and democracy through funding for small and grassroots civil society organisations in EU Member States. We invite your organisation to take part in the survey open until Friday, 24 September 2021, and available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish. Your contribution is confidential.

European Commission teams up with ODIHR and World Jewish Congress to improve security for Latvian Jewish community (17/09/2021)

17 September 2021 – To address the rise of antisemitism in Europe and the security threats it poses to the Jewish communities, the European Commission together with OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the World Jewish Congress are organising a series of events to build effective communication between National Security Institutions and Jewish communities.

Welcome message from Katharina von Schnurbein (01/09/2021)

Dear Friends,

Message on Rosh HaShanah from European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas (01/09/2021)

Message by European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas on the occasion of Rosh HaShanah

Interview with POLITICO on upcoming EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (01/09/2021)

31 August 2021 - POLITICO interviewed the Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, ahead of the adoption of the first-ever ambitious and comprehensive Strategy on combating antisemitism by the European Commission. The interview touches upon the online antisemitism and its consequences on real life, the Israel and Europe relation, the need for strategies at national level, the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and of raising awareness about Jewish life as well as the danger of antisemitism for our societies.

The European Days of Jewish Culture 2021 (02/09/2021)

This year, the European Days of Jewish Culture, a European-wide event organized since 2000, will take place in 36 countries and focus around the theme of dialogue. This festival highlights the diversity and richness of Judaism and its local, regional and national historical importance, through conferences, concerts, performances, guided tours and other activities, which take place simultaneously throughout the continent. This year edition is taking place under the umbrella of the NOA project (Networks Overcoming Antisemitism) promoting the creation of positive narratives around Jewish culture in Europe

Katharina von Schnurbein addresses General Assembly of EUJS Summer U (01/09/2021)

19 August 2021 - Katharina von Schnurbein addressed the European Union of Jewsih Students (EUJS) Summer U General Assembly that took place in Italy, in front of young Jewish activists from Europe and beyond. She congratulated the newly elected EUJS President, Elias Dray, and offered Commission's support in the fight against antisemitism.

Call for applications for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize (01/09/2021)

16 August 2021 - The National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism, established at the Parliament, announced the Simon-Wiesenthal-Prize for the first time in 2021.

Summer wishes from Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life  (23/07/2021)

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The Commission publishes study on digital violent right-wing extremist content (22/07/2021)

22 July 2021 - The Commission published a study entitled 'Heroes and scapegoats: Right-wing extremism in digital environments'. The study focusses on the different aspects of digital violent right-wing extremist (VRWE) content, i.e., textual or visual messages that express acceptance, condoning, justification or acclamation of violence for the sake of a radical nationalistic ideal. The study, among other groups, focusses thereby on Jews as a target of VRWE.

The Commission launches public consultation on the evaluation of the Victims’ Rights Directive (23/07/2021)

19 July 2021 - The European Commission launched a public consultation to gather data, information and experience on the application of the Victims’ Rights Directive. This Directive is the main instrument at EU level applicable to all victims of all crimes. It entered into force in 2015 and its evaluation, which is currently ongoing and is part of this public consultation, is one of the key actions of the Commission set out in the EU Victims’ Rights Strategy. The public consultation is open to all. It will last 14 weeks and end on 25 October 2021.

Vice-President Schinas discusses with Members of the European Parliament upcoming Strategy on combating antisemitism (13/07/2021)

13 July 2021 - Vice-President Schinas met with the Chairs and Members of the European Parliament Working Group against Antisemitism and presented an outline of the upcoming Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in the EU. He invited Members of the European Parliament to make suggestions and recommendations feeding into the development of the Strategy.

Vice-President Schinas addresses the concluding event of ‘Protecting the Jewish Cemeteries of Europe’ (13/07/2021)

13 July 2021 - The ESJF-European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative organised the final event of the European Commission-funded pilot project “Protecting the Jewish Cemeteries of Europe”.

EU Coordinator addresses 7th Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism (15/07/2021)

15 July 2021 - Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, addressed the 7th Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism, on the defining antisemitism and how to ensure continuity of Jewish life in Europe.