Europe must do more to combat antisemitism, says top Jewish leader
Governments across Europe need to take action against a rise in antisemitism driving Jews to abandon the continent, according to the leader of the European Jewish Association (EJA).
EJA chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin said 40,000 Jews have left Europe in recent years with no intention of returning as a result of a rise in antisemitic sentiment.
The rabbi said antisemitism has skyrocketed by 2,000%, according to statistics he says have been collated by organisations which monitor antisemitism.
“Critical year”
Mr Margolin said 2025 will be a “critical year” for European Jews because the course of action governments take to combat antisemitism will determine the future of Jewish communities on the continent.
“There’s still a chance that Jewish people will be living in Europe,” Mr Margolin told The Associated Press ahead of a gala dinner honouring former Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades for his efforts to foster closer Cyprus-Israel relations during his tenure.
“But if the governments of Europe will not take serious measures that we are demanding from them in this year this is the beginning of the end of Jewish presence in Europe,” he said.
He said the EJA, the largest Jewish organisation in Europe representing several hundred Jewish communities, brought together Jewish leaders from across the continent for a summit on tackling rising antisemitism.
He said European governments need to move beyond mere verbal condemnations of antisemitic behaviour and take effective action to ensure the safety and security of Jewish institutions and Jews practising their customs in Europe.
“Code of conduct”
Authorities also need to establish a “code of conduct” by which demonstrations against Israel do not devolve into antisemitic protests, Mr Margolin said.
These immediate steps should be accompanied by “strong and swift” punishment of individuals found guilty of antisemitic actions, he said, with Europe needing prosecutors who have a clear understanding of the many forms antisemitism can take, as well as programmes introduced in schools to educate people against antisemitic attitudes.
“But more important is the willingness of the government to combat antisemitism,” said Mr Margolin.
He said antisemitism is “coming from all sides of the political spectrum” as Russia’s war in Ukraine fuels concern and uncertainty within Europe that’s compounded by “demographic change.”
Mr Margolin attributed political shortsightedness to European elected officials who “pretend to think that everything is just all right” and “do not understand the emergency of combating antisemitism”.
He said his organisation chose to hold the summit in Cyprus because Jewish people on the eastern Mediterranean island nation feel “very, very welcome” and secure while the government has close relations with the state of Israel.
According to Mr Margolin, opposition to the Jewish state is the prime reason for antisemitism in Europe.
“The moment the government is friendly towards Israel and understands and defends Israel’s right to defend itself, it reduces a lot of tension against Jewish people,” Mr Margolin said.
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Sadly, Binyamin Netanyahu and certain of his ministers in government have in recent years done more to rekindle the flames of the ancient evil and irrational creed of anti-semitism than any other generation of Israeli politicians across my rather long lifetime.
I do not wish harm to the state of Israel. I would condemn any attack on Israel just like I condemn any attack on Palestinians. I wish that the settlers would stop grabbing land from the Palestinians. I want the zionists to cease obliterating lives and the ability to live in Ghazza. Those Palestinians displaced due to this ongoing war should be allowed to return to their land.
Sorry, but Rabbi Menachem Margolin needs to apologise for the rise of Islamophobia throughout Europe and the demonisation & dehumanisation by Israel of the Palestinian people and their 77 years of illegal occupation. We continually hear cries of antisemitism used by supporters of Israel, a technic often used to cynically shut down debate. The very same who demand Muslim leaders in Britain and around the world condemn the October 7th attacks by Hamas but omit any wrongdoings by Israel. I’ve never heard similar calls made to Jewish religious leaders, politicians & celebrities around the world to apologise for Benjamin Netanyahu’s… Read more »
1) there’s nothing ‘so called’ about the rise in anti-semitic incidents across Europe – it’s a well documented and depressingly real phenomenon. 2) Jews around the world are not collectively responsible for the policies of Israeli govts, and it’s a anti-semitic trope to say they are.
Quote.. “Sorry, but Rabbi Menachem Margolin needs to apologise for the rise of Islamophobia throughout Europe and the demonisation & dehumanisation by Israel of the Palestinian people and their 77 years of illegal occupation.” Has Rabbi Menachem Margolin been promoting islamophobia, is he linked to the Israeli government, if not then what should he be apologising for? Should Muslim community leaders have apologised for 9/11 or 7/7? I do not support Israel’s crimes against humanity, and granted this “support Israel or you anti-Semitic” narrative that politicians play is downright divisive and infuriating. But if antisemitism does exist then that must… Read more »
Ignoring the fact that Israel is behaving abhorently towards Palestinians, both in Gaza and the West Bank. If Israel retreated into its borders, defined by UN resolution 181, and stopped ethnically cleansing Palestinians to create settlements, committing genocide, taking Palestinians hostage (“administrative detention”), invading other countries (Libya and Syria), selling oil drilling licences in Gaza waters. Then there might be less animosity towards Israel (which is often mistakenly called anti-Semitism by people who want Israel to have no repercussions for its actions)
Actions have consequences.
Very sad to see some individuals in the comments section trying to suggest this horrifying rise in anti-semitic incidents is somehow justified on account of the netanyahu govt’s shocking treatment of the palestinians. Important to remind people then that Jews around the world are not collectively responsible for the policies of Israeli govts, and – as the IHRA definition on anti-semitism makes clear – to suggest they are is a anti-semitic trope in itself.
Two wrongs do not make a right. All it does is perpetuate a cycle of evil, revenge, hatred and enmity.
I am confused. We can say that we are against other countries policies and actions without being labelled anything but if anyone criticises Israel’s policies or action it seems that they are accused of being antisemitic. Please can someone explain in simple terms ‘Antisemitism’