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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.
"Jews need to prepare to leave Belgium after prosecution of Mohels"
“This prosecution is antisemitic in nature. Not borderline, not ambiguous, but antisemitic…in a manner reminiscent of efforts taken in Europe against Jewish practice prior to the Second World War…The message here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. We will prepare a conference on addressing this topic, including emigrating out of the country.” Rabbi Menachem Margolin, EJA Chairman.
(Brussels 6 May 2026) The Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA) Rabbi Menachem Margolin today responded to news that the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to refer two Jewish ritual circumcisers, known as mohels, to the correctional court.
In a statement today Rabbi Margolin said:
“Another red line has been crossed. This prosecution is antisemitic in nature. Not borderline, not ambiguous, but antisemitic. It is a clear attempt to misuse irrelevant constitutional provisions in order to effectively ban circumcision, in a manner reminiscent of efforts taken in Europe against Jewish practice prior to the Second World War. Not similar. Not comparable. Identical in its logic of restriction.
The same prosecutor’s office that too often closes cases of antisemitism is now choosing to act against Jewish life itself. This crosses a red line.
Today it is clear exactly what we are facing.
All the “beautiful words” of politicians about the importance of Jewish life in Europe mean nothing if they do not act immediately to stop this injustice.
Circumcision has been shown throughout decades of medical reserch to not be harmful to baby boys. In fact it has medical benefits – which is why so many people choose to circummsice their children outside of religion. Attacking circumsicion in this manner – only when it relates to Jewish babies, is an attack on Jewish life in Europe.
Freedom of religion is a fundamental right in Belgium, and this decision stands in direct contradiction to it.
The message here is clear: Jews are no longer welcome in Belgium. And Belgian jews are now Second class citizens with limited rights. We will prepare a conference on addressing this topic, including emigrating out of the country.
That it has come to this marks a deeply shameful moment for Belgium.
US Ambassador Bill White, Madrid Community President Estrella Bengio and Christians for Israel, honoured at EJA Annual Conference.
US Ambassador Bill White, Madrid Community President Estrella Bengio and Christians for Israel, honoured at EJA Annual Conference.
Our Annual Conference Gala Dinner is an opportunity to honour and say thanks to the many good people, Jewish and non-Jewish Leaders, as well as Senior Political figures, for their steadfast support and positive actions in defence and in the promotion of Jewish life on the Continent. Previous recipients of our prestigious King David Award include Chelsea Football Club, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Boris Johnson and the former President of Montenegro to name a few.
This year, for his bravery and single-minded determination to defend Belgian Jewry against legal attacks on circumcision, calling out Europe-Wide antisemitism, and for rallying the United States Presidency to the Jewish cause, the EJA awarded the 2026 King David Award to United States Ambassador to Belgium, His Excellency Bill White.
In his moving acceptance speech Ambassador White said: “I’m Deeply honored to receive the King David Award. This recognition reflects President Trump’s unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism—not just in words, but in action. To Belgium’s Jewish community: you belong here, your traditions deserve protection, and your future must be secure.”
He also thanked the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun for joining the dinner, demonstrating this Administration’s steadfast support for Jewish communities worldwide, and for his encouraging and inspiring speech at the Gala Dinner.
We were also immensely proud to present the first-ever EJA Queen Esther Award to Estrella Bengio, President of the Jewish Community of Madrid, at our annual conference, held just after Purim. The story of Queen Esther is about courage, about stepping forward and refusing to look away. It is a story that continues to guide and inspire us. Estrella embodies these values. Through years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to Jewish life in Europe, she has made a real and lasting impact on her community and beyond.
Finally, we were honoured to present the EJA Mensch Award to Frank Van Oordt, Chief Executive Officer of Christian for Israel in the Netherlands, in recognition of his steadfast support for Israel and the Jewish people. Christians for Israel in the Netherlands, under the inspiring stewardship of Frank has stayed true to their fundamental values, in spite of protests, vandalism and the firebombing of their Israel Centre in Holland. They are true friends.
Hundred Jewish Leaders from across Europe voted in a plenary session to give the European Jewish Association a mandate for a new binding legal framework for European Jewry
Wrapping up our two-day Annual Conference in Brussels on 15-16 April, over a hundred Jewish Leaders from across Europe voted in a plenary session to give the European Jewish Association a mandate for a new binding legal framework for European Jewry. With the aim of safeguarding Jewish life in Europe, in binding law and with full protection outside of party political considerations, the mandate seeks a fundamental re-writing in law of how Europe treats its Jewish Communities.
The new legal framework, being worked on with full legal guidance and with substantial advocacy resources devoted to it will, in the weeks and months ahead, establish a trans-national and EU Institutional approach to dealing with European Jewry, instead of the country by country basis that leads to a plethora of differing approaches to European Jewish Communities, some good, some bad, but most failing to have any meaningful impact at all.
The negotiations for the mandate were intensive and forthright, but ultimately the vote passed by majority.
The new legally binding status encompasses the following core areas that directly impact Jewish life on the continent:
- Awareness and promotion of Jewish Life: Pan-European level cooperation and EU funding should support not only security, but also visibility, outreach, education, media, culture, and community-building.
- Security: The model for Jewish Security across Europe should be based on the UK Community Security Trust, supported by dedicated government funding via Ministries of interior.
- Freedom of Religion: Respect for diversity must fully include freedom of religious practice. Whether one is observant or not, this is an essential part of diversity itself.
- Education: Education must begin at Primary schools. School textbooks need to be revised. Erasmus need to include ethical code where Universities engaging in antisemitism should be excluded from the programme. Universities also need to have Antisemitism Commissioner /Coordinator appointed and paid for by the state.
- Teachers and Public Servants: Awareness and Training Programs on Jewish life must include mandatory training on anti-Semitism and should apply to Municipal and public administration employees, Teachers and educational staff, Law enforcement personnel, and the Judiciary.
This is just a taster of the many details and points within the mandate that will be explored and advocated for at Bi-lateral level and pan European Level by the EJA going forwards.
The EJA thanks the many Jewish Leaders in Europe who have placed their trust in us to continue delivering for Jewish life on the Continent.
EJA Special Protected Minority Status Research Report
The European Jewish Association is advocating at both EU institutional and Member State level for European Jewry to be designated with a special protected minority status, recognised as part of Europe’s patrimony and protected in both national and European law. The EJA believes that granting protected minority status would better ensure the safety and continuity of Jewish life across the continent.
With the support of Professor Rosa Freedman, Professor of Law, Conflict and Global Development, who specialises in international human rights law, we have developed a comprehensive document outlining the legal framework for this proposal.
EJA Protected Status Policy Brief – Rosa Freedman
EJA Protected Status Research Report – Rosa Freedman
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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.
