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The Jewish voice of Europe.
David Lega as appointed as EJA new Secretary General
EJA is very proud to announce this morning the appointment of David Lega as our new Secretary General!
Over the past year, David has served as our Senior Advisor on Advocacy, doing an excellent job and bringing his wealth of political, diplomatic, and leadership experience and skills to the role. His appointment will significantly strengthen EJA’s mission to represent and defend Jewish life, values, and interests across Europe.
David, a former Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2024, was one of the few Jewish parliamentarians. He served on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Human Rights, and was a board member of the European Parliament Working Group on Antisemitism. He also founded the Abraham Accords Network in the European Parliament, creating a cross-party platform for dialogue, cooperation, and peace between Europe and the Middle East.
Throughout his mandate, he was known for his strong and unwavering advocacy for Israel, his defense of human rights, and his commitment to combating antisemitism across Europe and in his native Sweden.
David Lega, newly appointed Secretary General, said:
“It is a great honor to take on this responsibility at a time when the challenges facing Jewish communities in Europe are both complex and urgent. The EJA has been at the forefront of advocacy for Jewish life and Israel in Europe, and I look forward to continuing this work with determination and hope. My goal is to strengthen our partnerships, deepen our impact and make sure that Jewish voices in Europe is not only heard, but respected.”
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association, said:
“David Lega has already proven his deep commitment to the Jewish people and to our shared values. His leadership, integrity and international experience make him the right person to help steer our organization into the future. In this role, David will be responsible for managing EJA and EIPA operations and implementing the organization’s strategy, led by Tal Rabina , together with myself and our Vice Chairman, Alex Benjamin . We are delighted to welcome him as Secretary General and look forward to the energy and vision he will bring to the role.”
Under Lega’s leadership, the EJA will continue to strengthen its advocacy in European and national institutions, promote education and remembrance, and stand firmly against antisemitism in all its forms.
Past events
EJA chairman rabbi Menachem Margolin speech at the EuroHanukkah Event with President of the European Commission Ursula von der lyon
Brussels, Belgium
EIPA -Brussels Press Day
Brussels, Belgium
EJA hosted a special meeting with Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism
We were honoured to host a special meeting with Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism alongside EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin
The meeting was joined by EU ambassadors and diplomats. Ambassador Kaploun shared with our esteemed guests the current situation of antisemitism in Europe and the US, how Jewish communities feel and what they have experienced, and his views on how we can combat antisemitism together. The discussion underscored the importance of addressing the rise of antisemitism collectively. We wish to thank Ambassador Kaploun for this meeting and our guests, Ambassador Avi Nir-Avi Nir-Feldklein, Mission of Israel to the EU & NATO, Ambassador Martin Hojni, Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU , Ambassador Martin Schäfer, Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU, Ambassador Andrea Orizio, Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU, Ambassador Sofia Grammata, Embassy of the Hellenic Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium, Ambassador Helen Kaljuläte Embassy of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Belgium, for joining us, for caring about combating antisemitism and for raising very important points during the discussion.
The meeting was organized by EJA Director of EU Relations Ruth Daskalopoulou Issac.
EJA take part in the European Commission Working-Group on the implementation of EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in Brussels
EJA Secretary General David Lega and Vice-Chairman Alex Benjamin are attending the 8th Working Group on the implementation of EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in Brussels today. David will be addressing the working group on a panel on the challenges affecting Jewish communities. He will be talking about the need to increase legally, culturally and via education the protection of European Jewry through a new ‘status’ at eu and Member state level. We thank Katharina von schnurbein and her team for the opportunity and for convening this important working group.
Synagogue attacked by fire in the German city of Giessen
This morning we woke up to the news of another synagogue attacked by fire, this time in the German city of Giessen. Security footage clearly shows a man who did not even bother to cover his face setting fire near a synagogue window while giving the Nazi Hitler salute. There is no doubt that this was an antisemitic attack, following the same pattern of synagogue attacks we have seen over the past two years since October 7.
Only yesterday, police in the United States identified the suspect who set fire to the only synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, over the weekend. In the last two years, 21 synagogues have been set on fire, and an alarming number of synagogues have been targeted with hatred, vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic messages, used to harass worshippers, or turned into focal points for antisemitic protests. Tragically, people have also been murdered while praying.
We are following this growing pattern with deep concern. In many parts of Europe, synagogues must be heavily guarded, with many requiring constant police presence and security measures that resemble airport security rather than places of worship just so Jews can pray.
Against this reality, we are deeply concerned about the possibility that burning synagogues is becoming a trend, driven by both left wing and right wing antisemites. It is now clear that the current security measures are not enough to stop the out of control hatred directed at the Jewish people. We are calling on western leaders to increase the security measures and make sure all Jewish institutions are safe.
We are calling on EU leaders to treat antisemitism as an emergency, as we have been calling for many months.
In response to the attack against the synagogue, Mr. Lawrence de Donges – Amiss – Amiss, EJA member and Vice-Chairman of the Jewish Community of Giessen, has stated; “this was never a question of if, but when. For those of us who are visibly Jewish and who confront antisemitism every single day, life has changed radically over the past years.
We are grateful to have a dedicated Chief of Police who provides every possible means of support. However, this cannot end there. The responsible ministry must urgently rethink and strengthen personal security measures for Jewish representatives and communities. The current reality demands immediate and decisive action.”
Greece Revokes Asylum Status of Gazan who Praised Oct. 7, Hamas Attack on Israel
We welcome the decision by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum to revoke the asylum status of Mohanad Alkhatib, a Palestinian from Gaza, following clear evidence of his public glorification of the October 7 attacks against Israel and his continued activity as a propagandist and apologist for Hamas.
Following evidence presented by the Israeli Embassy in Athens to the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, H.E. Athanasios Plevris, the Ministry determined that Mohanad Alkhatib poses a threat to public order and to the Jewish community in particular. As a result, the asylum status granted to him in March 2025 has been revoked.
Videos circulating online show him openly rejoicing during the events of 7 October, while present in the border area between Israel and Gaza, and expressing praise for the Hamas massacre. His social media profiles also feature photographs in which he poses alongside senior Hamas figures, including former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, prior to his assassination.
In the period following 7 October, his online activity continued to glorify Hamas. He notably paid tribute to a confirmed Hamas member, Hassan Eslaieh, describing him as a close friend and “companion since the beginning of the war”. Hassan Eslaieh was an employee of Hamas-affiliated Al Quds TV and worked closely with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Even after arriving in Europe, he continued to disseminate extremist propaganda. On 23 June 2025, he published a message praising an Iranian strike “towards the American base”, referring to Al Udeid Air Base, writing: “May God protect our people in Qatar and may God guide Iran’s aim towards the American base.”
European Jewish Association Director for EU Relations, Ruth Isaac Daskalopoulou, stated;
“We thank the Greek Minister of Migration, H.E. Athanasios Plevris, and the Governor of the Asylum Service, Mr. Marios Kaleas, for their strong leadership and swift action in revoking the asylum status of Mohanad Alkhatib, who poses a serious threat to the community and public. We also thank Prime Minister Mitsotakis for his government’s for their zero tolerance towards incitement and for taking the concerns of the Jewish community seriously. We thank the Israeli Embassy in Athens for their work.”
Alkhatib is currently present in Belgium, where he has been questioned by the authorities regarding his activities. His subsequent application for asylum in Belgium has been denied, and he has lodged an appeal against that decision.
Regarding the situation in Belgium, we commend the Belgian authorities for denying Alkhatib’s asylum application and for investigating the serious concerns raised by his public conduct and online activity. However, where an individual is found to pose a threat to public order and community safety, investigation alone is not sufficient. Belgium should now take the necessary steps to ensure that Alkhatib is removed from Belgian territory in accordance with the law.
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It’s a challenging time for Jewish communities in Europe. Anti-Semitism is on the rise as populism and the politics of the lowest common denominator are gaining traction. Our communities often need round the clock protection and our practices and customs such as keeping Kosher are under pressure from increasing political interference.
The European Jewish Association was set up to deal with these and many other challenges.
Acting on your behalf, we are the leading, biggest and widest reaching Associations of Jewish organizations and communities in Europe.
Our associates represent hundreds of communities and thousands of Jews across the continent. We believe that there is strength and influence in numbers.
