"Newsletter Combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life" Newsletter Issues

Justice Programme (2021 - 2027) supports transnational projects on victims' rights (22/06/2021)

The Justice Programme is supporting transnational projects to enhance the rights of persons suspected or accused of crime and the rights of victims of crime. One of the aim of this call for 2021 and 2022 is to contribute to the effective and coherent application of EU law in the area of the rights of victims of crime in line with the EU Strategy on victims’ rights (2020-2025) (victims' rights priority).

Calls for applications for cities, towns and municipalities (21/06/2021)

The European Commission's Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) includes two calls for proposals for cities, towns and municipalities, that aim to develop networks that would fight discrimination, promote equality, and ensure EU rights for all citizens. 

Commission launches Creative Europe calls to support the culture and creative sectors (23/06/2021)

The Commission launched the remaining calls for the culture and creative sectors within the culture strand of Creative Europe programme, making available a total amount of €88 million. This budget will cover, among others, European cooperation projects in the field of culture.

The Commission published the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022 (21/06/2021)

The Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022, which outlines the objectives and specific topic areas that will receive a total of €14.7 billion in funding.

European Commission addresses antisemitism and Holocaust remembrance during IHRA Plenary (10/06/2021)

May and June 2021 - The Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, took active part in several sessions and panel discussions during the IHRA Athens Plenary 2021, hosted by the Greek Presidency. Experts and political representatives shared ideas and best practices on how to prevent and combat antisemitism and how to counter Holocaust distortion, denial and trivialization.

President von der Leyen addresses AJC Virtual Global Forum 2021 (09/06/2021)

9 June 2021 - The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed thousands participating in the 2021 American Jewish Committee (AJC) Virtual Global Forum. She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to fighting antisemitism, fostering Jewish life, Holocaust remembrance and strong EU-Israel partnership.

Commission calls on Greece, the Netherlands and Lithuania to fully transpose EU law criminalising hate speech and hate crimes (10/06/2021)

09 June 2021 - The Commission decided to send letters of formal notice to Greece, the Netherlands and Lithuania as their national laws do not fully or accurately transpose EU rules on combating racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law (Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA). The purpose of this Framework Decision is to ensure that serious manifestations of racism and xenophobia, such as public incitement to violence or hatred, are punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal penalties.

The Commission co-organises training for Croatian national security intitutions on raising awareness about antisemitism (07/06/2021)

7 June 2021 - The European Commission together with the OSCE ODIHR and the World Jewish Congress organised the training on 'Raising Awareness and Building Effective Communication between National Security Institutions and the Jewish Community in Croatia'. Katharina von Schnurbein, Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, gave an opening speech in which she highlighted the rise in antisemitism and the need to combat it, including through the upcoming Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in the EU. Wester Meijdam, Policy Officer, gave an overview of the challenges faced by today's Jewish community in Europe and the EU policies to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish life. He focused on the need to improve data collection and recording of antisemitic incidents, and highlighted funding opportunities to combat antisemitism.

5th Meeting of the Working Group on combating antisemitism (07/06/2021)

3 - 4 June 2021 - The European Commission organised its 5th meeting of the Working Group on combating antisemitism as a key event to consult Member States and Jewish communities on their ideas for the first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. The strategy will be adopted by the European Commission by the end of 2021. The objective of the meeting was to gain input from national authorities and stakeholders on the most important issues that the strategy should address and concrete actions to tackle them. Vice-President for promoting our European Way of life, Margaritis Schinas, presented the work that paved the way in the fight against discrimination, racism and antisemitism.

Roadmap published - EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (04/06/2021)

The consultations for the 'EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life' are now open. The Strategy will be adopted by the European Commission before the end of the year. The Roadmap informs about the problems to be tackled and the general aims of the strategy. Citizens, stakeholders, Jewish communities and national authorities are invited to contribute their feedback to the roadmap and voice their ideas to the development of the strategy through written contributions.

New study shows rise in antisemitic online content during the pandemic (03/06/2021)

The Commission has published the findings of the study “The rise of Antisemitism online during the pandemic”, conducted by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), on the occasion of the 5th European Commission Working Group on combating antisemitism. The study analyses online content in French and German. Comparing the first two months of 2020 with the first two of 2021, the findings show a seven-fold increase in antisemitic content on Twitter, Facebook and Telegram in French, and over a thirteen-fold increase in antisemitic content in German.

President von der Leyen delievers keynote speech at the 16th WJC Plenary Assembly (25/05/2021)

25 May 2021 - The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered a video keynote speech at the 16th World Jewish Congress Plenary Assembly.

European Commission strongly condemns antisemitism in Europe following Middle East conflict (25/05/2021)

14 May 2021 – The European Commission expressed solidarity with European Jewish communities as a response to the rise of antisemitic attacks, which followed the escalation of conflict in the Middle-East. President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the indiscriminate attacks by Hamas on Israel and stated that violence “must end now”. Vice-President Věra Jourová joined in calling on Member States to remain vigilant while expressing her solidarity with the Jewish community. She also indicated that there is no excuse for violence on European streets and that antisemitic hate crime and hate speech has to be brought to justice.

New rules adopted for quick and smooth removal of terrorist content online (28/04/2021)

28 April 2021 - A new law to address the dissemination of terrorist content online was approved by Parliament.

Deadline funding opportunities (26/05/2021)

Please find below the deadlines to apply for funding for combating antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance:

Katharina von Schnurbein addresses event on implementation of three IHRA definitions (19/05/2021)

19 May 2021 – The Commission’s Coordiantor on Combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, opened the Educational Webinar: “Practical implementation of the three Non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies: lessons learned, best practices, steps forward”. The multilateral Webinar was organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, and the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Antisemitism discussed at the Third Ecumenical Kirchentag (13/05/2021)

13 May 2021 – At the Third Ecumenical Kirchentag event that took place in an hybrid format (online and Frankfurt, Germany), the European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, joined the President of the Jewish communities in Germany, Dr Josef Schuster, and others in answering the question “What can we do against antisemitism?”.

European Commission presents its work on combating antisemitism at the EPP Working Group (11/05/2021)

11 May 2021 – The EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue held a seminar on ‘Antisemitism in Europe’ chaired by MEP Jan Olbrycht, where coordinators on combating antisemitism as well as civil society Jewish organisations were invited to present the worrying rise of antisemitism in Europe, the actions to combat this trend and the ways to address antisemitism at political level. Katharina von Schnurbein, Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, presented the work carried out by the European Commission in this fight and the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism, which will be adopted at the end of 2021.

European Commission joins Commemoration of Shoah on Europe Day (10/05/2021)

10 May 2021 - At the annual commemoration of the Shoah that took place at the 'Monument of Jews deported from Antwerp', Katharina von Schnurbein, Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, joined Regina Suchowolski-Sluszny, Holocaust survivor and President of the FORUM der Joodse Organisaties, H.E. Amb. Martin Kotthaus, Ambassador of Germany to Belgium, and Bart De Wever, Mayor of Antwerp, in remembering the victims of the Holocaust and reflecting on how to commemorate the Shoah in a digital era, when direct witnesses will no longer be with us.

Katharina von Schnurbein co-chairs International Meeting of Special Envoys and Coordinators on Combating Antisemitism (04/05/2021)

4 May 2021 - As co-chair of the International Meeting of Special Envoys and Coordinators on Combating Antisemitism (SECCA), Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, presented the EU Strategy to be adopted at the end of this year.

At the UN: highlighting Jewish culture (26/04/2021)

26 April 2021 - The Forum for Cultural Diplomacy organised a celebration of Jewish culture on the occasion of the Second Passover, under the theme "Purim of Carpentras". Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on Combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, joined in the celebration alongside UN diplomats, special envoys and rapporteurs on fighting antisemitism and defending freedom of religion.

Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values work programme 2021-2022 - new calls for proposal (21/04/2021)

21 April 2021 - The new Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme, worth 1.55 billion euro, is the largest-ever EU fund dedicated to promoting and protecting democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in the EU.

Erasmus+ Programme for 2021-2027 (21/04/2021)

The new Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027 has been launched. The first annual work programme and the call 2021 have also been published. The programme’s budget is €26.2 billion, compared with €14.7 billion for 2014-2020. This will be complemented by about €2.2 billion from the EU’s external instruments.

Conference on the Future of Europe launches multilingual digital platform (23/04/2021)

President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the launch of the multilingual digital platform of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The platform is inviting all EU citizens to contribute to shaping their own future and that of Europe as a whole. The platform is available in 24 languages, allowing citizens from across the Union to share and exchange their ideas and views, including on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, through online events. European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said:

Vice-President Schinas opens Portuguese Presidency's high-level conference on discrimination (20/04/2021)

20 April 2020 - Together with Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, opened the high-Level Conference “Protection from racial discrimination and related intolerance” hosted by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU, Francisco André.

Coordinator on combating antisemitism addresses Canada's conference "Action Summit to Combat Online Hate" (14/04/2021)

14 April 2021 - The Commission’s Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, gave a keynote speech at the “Action Summit to Combat Online Hate” organised by the Canadian Coalition to Combat Online Hate.

Message by Vice-President Margaritis Schinas on Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day - Yom HaShoah (09/04/2021)

9 April 2021 - Vice-President Margaritis Schinas participated in the event “‘Zikaron Basalon’ (‘living room meeting’) – The Holocaust Survivors: Who are they?” organised by the Delegation of the EU to the State of Israel.

European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová addresses the Mayors Summit against Antisemitism (16/03/2021)

16 March 2021 - At the 'Mayors Summit against Antisemitism' organised by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), Vice-President Jourová stressed that “antisemitism needs a holistic response, where the European, national and local level work hand in hand.”

Jean Monnet Teacher Training - call for submission of projects on promoting the European way of life and EU values, including combating antisemitism (09/04/2021)

The European Commission online launch of the new Jean Monnet for Schools Teacher Training action, part of the 2021-2027 Erasmus+ Programme, will take place on 15 April 2021.

Vice-President Schinas addesses the UN Conference "Exploring Holistic Approaches to Combating Antisemitism" (15/03/2021)

15 March 2021 - The European Commission took active part in the online conference “Exploring Holistic Approaches to Combating Antisemitism” organized by the UNAOC. Vice-President Margaritis Schinas reiterated the fact that “Fighting antisemitism is a universal responsibility, and it is only by joining forces that we can address it decisively.” Katharina von Schnurbein, the Commission's Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, developed on the initiatives, projects and actions put forward by the EU in order to support its Member States.

Hag Pessah Sameah ! (22/03/2021)

VIDEO GUIDE TO PASSOVER: Time to reflect, learn and continue to fight for justice, freedom and rule of law (25/03/2021)

Katharina von Schnurbein, Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, endorsing the tradition of asking questions in a video guide to Passover produced by the World Jewish Congress (WJC), reflects on the following:

First EU Anti-Racism Summit (19/03/2021)

19 March 2021 - President von der Leyen, Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Dalli participated in the EU's first Anti-racism Summit. Organised by the Commission and co-hosted by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council and ARDI Intergroup of the European Parliament ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March, the Summit is one of the key actions set out in the EU anti-racism action plan presented in September 2020. The Summit gathered representatives from EU institutions, national governments, civil society, equality bodies and grassroots organisations, who discussed the implementation of the Action Plan and best ways forward to tackle racism in Europe.

The European Commission in conversation with the Jewish community of Finland (16/03/2021)

16 March 2021 - In a conversation with the President of Central Council of Jewish Communities in Finland, Yaron Nadbornik, the European Commission Coordinator on Combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, addressed the question of safety and ways to safeguard Jewish life in Europe.

European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism addresses OSCE experts meeting (02/02/2021)

1, 2 February 2021 - The Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship 2021, in consultation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR), organised an online experts meeting on "Combating anti-Semitism in the OSCE region" on 1st and 2nd February 2021, with 47 OSCE countries representatives, civil society actors and Jewish communities representatives.

Dear Friends, (26/01/2021)

As we prepare to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, against the backdrop of a pandemic that has taken a tragic toll on human lives – including amongst the last remaining Holocaust Survivors – we have a duty not only to remember, but to act.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2021 (21/01/2021)

STATEMENT by President von der Leyen ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (26/01/2021)

On 27 January, we mark the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau and remember the millions of Jewish women, men and children as well as all other victims, among them hundreds of thousands of Roma and Sinti, murdered during the Holocaust.

Vice-President Schinas in conversation with Tomi Reichental, Holocaust Survivor (25/01/2021)

25 January 2021 - To commemorate the Holocaust, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas had a conversation with Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental, who survived as a child the concentration camp Bergen Belsen. The event was organized together with the European Jewish Congress. During the conversation, Vice-President Schinas said:

VIDEO: Stronger than hate - Holocaust Remembrance 2021 (25/01/2021)

25 January 2021 - The European Commission together with the World Jewish Congress and the USC Shoah Foundation launched a video ‘Stronger than hate - Holocaust Remembrance 2021’, part of the #WeRemember campaign. The video features interviews and testimonies of hidden children from Belgium and other Holocaust Survivors addressing antisemitism today, the danger of rise of conspiracy theories amidst COVID 19, and the Shoah remembrance. In the video, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas stated:

European Commission, IHRA, UN and UNESCO launch global campaign #ProtectTheFacts against Holocaust distortion (26/01/2021)

26 January 2021 - The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance together with the European Commission, the United Nations and UNESCO, launched a global campaign, #ProtectTheFacts. This yearlong initiative seeks to raise awareness of the importance of recognizing and countering Holocaust distortion among the general public and civil society, policymakers and Holocaust-related institutions.

European Commission staff helps build digital archive through #everynamecounts initiative (25/01/2021)

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the European Commission encourages staff to take part in the crowdsourcing project #everynamecounts by the Arolsen Archive, by transcribing the information from the registration files of prisoners into a digital archive whilst remembering their names and stories. The archive contains around 30 million documents with references to the fates of 17.5 million people. In order to allow researchers and decedents to access the data, Arolsen are building the world’s largest online archive on people persecuted and murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators.

#WeRemember campaign joined by the European Commission staff (26/01/2021)

The European Commission has supported for many years the #WeRemember campaign by the World Jewish Congress and is now encouraging all its staff to join in taking a picture of themselves holding a paper with the message and posting it on social media.

Special message by President Ursula von der Leyen at Holocaust commemoration event (01/02/2021)

1 February 2021 - President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will deliver a keynote video message at the “International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Renewed commitment through innovation and cooperation” event organised by B’nai B’rith International taking place on 1 February 2021, at 4 PM CET. The introductory remarks will be followed by two panel discussions focusing on the importance of remembrance.

Vice-President Schinas addresses online Holocaust Commemoration Ceremonies (25/01/2021)

26 & 27 January 2021 - On 26 January 2021, from 4.15 PM CET, Vice-President Schinas will address the Online Ceremony – International Holocaust Remembrance Day, organised by the Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Transatlantic Institute, and the European Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Vice-President Schinas in conversation with a Holocaust Survivor (20/01/2021)

To commemorate the Holocaust, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas will exchange thoughts with Holocaust survivor Irish-Slovak Tomi Reichental on the lessons of the Holocaust for 21st century Europe, new forms of remembrance, concepts of atonement and reconciliation, and our common duty to speak up and counter Holocaust denial and distortion. The event will take place on 25 January 2021, between 16:00 - 17:00, and is organised by the European Commission and the European Jewish Congress to mark the International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2021. The event will be streamed live on: https://www.facebook.com/Eurojewcong

Fighting antisemitism: Commission and International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance publish handbook for the practical use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism (07/01/2021)

8 January 2021 - Today, the handbook for the practical use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism was published. This document was commissioned by the European Commission and published jointly with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, with support from the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The IHRA working definition for antisemitism, while not legally binding, has become a widely used tool around the world to educate people about antisemitism, as well as recognise and counter its manifestations. Based on the comprehensive research carried out by the Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (Bundesverband RIAS), the handbook provides an overview of good practices by international organisations, national administrations, civil society and Jewish communities from across Europe. The 35 good practices are ranging from training for law enforcement to incident recording and reporting. Furthermore, the handbook includes 22 sourced incidents of antisemitism in Europe that highlight the relevance of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism when assessing manifestations of antisemitism. The Commission plans to adopt a comprehensive EU Strategy against antisemitism this year. Vice-President Schinas said: