Adoption of Council Declaration on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism

Following the adoption of the First Progress Report on the implementation of the EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, the Council approved on 15 October 2024 a declaration on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism. The declaration highlights alarmingly high levels of antisemitism across the EU and emphasises that the EU stands unequivocally against all forms of antisemitism, racism, hatred, and discrimination. 

Among the specific areas, the declaration underscores the importance of combating all forms of antisemitic hate speech, including Holocaust denial and trivialisation. These growing trends, especially online, harm Jewish communities, undermine collective historical memory, and threaten the cohesion and security of European democratic societies.

The declaration also stresses the need to foster Jewish life through culture, education and Holocaust remembrance as key elements for promoting tolerance, mutual understanding, cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue. Another important priority is to ensure the safety of Jewish people and the security of Jewish premises and institutions, as well as to support and protect the victims of all forms of antisemitism, racism and all other forms of hatred.

The Council invites member states, the Commission, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, and the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training to continue and intensify their efforts to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish life in their respective areas of competence.