From Vice-President Margaritis Schinas

I would like to send my warmest wishes for a peaceful, joyful and healthy new year 5785 to all Jews in Europe and around the world.

Jewish life shall thrive, not hide. We are determined to ensure that Jews in Europe see a future for themselves and can go about their lives free from security concerns, free from antisemitism and in line with their religious and cultural traditions.

However, the recent months have been particularly difficult for European Jews. Soon it will be one year that we will commemorate the deadliest pogrom committed against Jews since the Shoah, among the victims were many EU citizens. The European Commission strongly condemned the attacks and expressed its full solidarity to Israel and its people. European and national authorities stand with their Jewish communities in these difficult times. Our thoughts are with the hostages and their families, hoping and working for their release.

Yet, the surge of antisemitic acts has been skyrocketing and is reminiscent of the darkest time in history in Europe: Jewish people violently attacked, Jewish students harassed and unsafe on university campuses, arson attacks on synagogues, Jewish stores vandalized, cemeteries desecrated, demonstrators chanting hate slogans against Jews. These despicable acts are simply unacceptable, we condemned them in the strongest possible terms and they must be prosecuted.

At the same time, we accelerated the implementation of the 2021 EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, making progress in key areas that range from securing Jewish premises, fighting online hatred and addressing antisemitism through education, to supporting the creation of national strategies and structures that allow for better prevention and quick response in case of incidents. Today, the Strategy is in full swing and proves more relevant than ever before. Besides all this work, I made it a priority to show solidarity and support in these difficult times to Jewish communities and paid them visits as part of my missions across Europe and around the world. The Commission also joined forces in this fight with our international partners when, in July 2024, we signed the Global Guidelines on countering Antisemitism together with over 40 countries. The urgency to act against antisemitism is clear, it is happening, and it must go on.

Because Jewish life is an inextricable part of Europe’s identity, it is part of Europe’s DNA. So, any form of antisemitism is incompatible with what the European Union stands for – it goes against our values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, or the respect for human rights, including the – constitutionally protected – rights of minorities. Every form of antisemitism is an attack on us all and the model of society we represent. An assault to our liberal, democratic and pluralistic order. A threat to our ability to coexist in a Europe that strives to attain its unity precisely by embracing, respecting and valuing its diversity.

Rosh Hashana is a time of reflect on our past actions and define the direction we want to take for the new year. A new year with countries and people uniting to actively fight antisemitism and pursue a positive agenda for fostering Jewish life. On behalf of the European Commission, I wish you Shanah Tova U’Metukah!

Margaritis SCHINAS

Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life

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