EJA Delegation to Auschwitz November 2025

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.

A cross party group of 60 Members of the European Parliament have urged the EU’s Foreign Affairs Chief, Federica Mogherini to marginalize, both financially and politically organizations such as BDS (Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment) that are increasingly becoming a virulent source in the spread of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism under the pretense of exercising freedom of speech and association.

The unprecedented initiative, spearheaded by representatives of the four major political groups, MEP Cristian DAN PREDA, MEP Ioan Mircea Pascu (S&D, Romania) and a Vice-President of the  European Parliament, MEP Petras Austrevicius (ALDE, Lithuania), MEP Arne Gericke (ECR, Germany) “calls upon ensuring that no public funds go to organizations calling for a boycott of the State of Israel, and to instruct agencies not to engage with companies, organizations or other entities involved with the BDS movement”. 

MEP Cristian DAN PREDA, foreign affairs coordinator for the largest political group, the European People’s Party, and co-initiator of the letter underlined  his party’s  opposition to calls for the suspension of the bilateral agreements with Israel  as some of his extreme left wing colleagues echo directly from the BDS playbook.   “It’s in the interest of this House, and of our citizens, to see an upgrade in the partnership agreement with Israel. We should not allow the current stalemate in the peace process to dictate the terms of our relationship with Israel.”

Swedish MEP and President of EIPA’S political Board Lars Adaktusson – a co- signatory – underlined that “the Union, and the Parliament, is in danger of being deemed irrelevant as a peace broker if it fails to address the incitement on its own soil against Israel.”  

Vice President of the European Parliament, Ioan Mircea Pascu concluded that  “boycotting strategic ties with Israel,  a leader in the intelligence and defence international community, may prove counterproductive to the common security interests  of both EU and Israel”.

The 60 signatories, among which are Chair of Security and Defence, MEP Anna Fotyga (ECR, Poland), Vice-Preident Pavel Telicka (ALDE, Czech Republic), Dietmar Koster (S&D, Germany), Vice-Chair of Human Rights Beatriz Becerra (ALDE, Spain) urged their Foreign Affairs chief to “address the incitement to hatred and violence and discriminatory practice of calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the State of Israel.”

Europe Israel Public Affairs Founder Rabbi Menachem Margolin welcomed the initiative of the 60 MEPs: “Israel sometimes feels misunderstood by Europe, and this leads to a further strain on the relations. The European Parliament takes pride in its diversity, and we are glad to see such a wide support for investment, rather than divestment from something that has been for more than 3 decades a mutually advantageous bilateral relation”.

“You have been a stalwart defender of Israel on the world stage, recently going against the prevailing EU winds and supporting the move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel…As long as you continue to show the right way ahead when it comes to defending and upholding Jewish rights, you will continue to enjoy our support”, says EJA Chairman Rabbi Margolin
European Jewish Association has written to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to congratulate him on his reelection, and to seek assurances that he will continue to defend and uphold Hungarian Jewry under his new mandate, as well as continue his vocal support, diplomatic and political support for the State of Israel.
In his letter to Hungary’s Premier, EJA Chairman and founder Rabbi Menachem Margolin wrote,
‘You have been a stalwart defender of Israel on the world stage, recently going against the prevailing EU winds and supporting the move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. As European Jewry and the State of Israel are inextricably linked, your support for the Jewish State means a lot to us and we thank you for it.
“During your previous term in office your steadfast assurances and commitments to protect Hungarian Jewry and their heritage were warmly welcomed and were an anchor to us in these turbulent political times.
“With great power comes great responsibility – so the saying goes. We earnestly trust that your previous positive and embracing stance to your Jewish citizens will be carried over into your new term and across your government.
“Europe stands at a crossroads. As long as you continue to show the right way ahead when it comes to defending and upholding Jewish rights and standing up for the State of Israel you will continue to enjoy our support.”

As the EJA Symposium comes to a close, we reflect on two days of impactful discussions, profound remembrance, and strengthened unity among Jewish leaders, advocates, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond.

The Symposium began with an inspiring programme in Krakow, where critical topics were addressed by esteemed speakers and panellists. Discussions explored the convergence of anti-Zionism and antisemitism, the role of universities as spaces of free speech or hate, and the continued importance of Holocaust education, even 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz. Participants brought forward actionable insights and strategies to confront rising challenges facing Jewish communities today.

The Memorial Dinner was a poignant evening, honouring resilience and leadership. Holocaust survivor Baroness Régine Suchowolski Sluszny’s testimony reminded us of the enduring importance of remembrance, while awards to Pastor Dumisani Washington, Daniel Sharabi and the Sharabi Brothers, and David Beesemer celebrated extraordinary contributions to Jewish life and solidarity.

Today’s visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was a solemn and powerful conclusion to the Symposium. Participants joined in a memorial service to honour the victims of the Holocaust, with Kaddish led by Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs, and wreaths laid by delegations from across the globe. This visit served as a stark reminder of the horrors of history and the enduring need to combat hatred and antisemitism in all forms.

As we conclude, the conversations and commitments made at this Symposium will resonate far beyond these two days. Together, we reaffirm our dedication to building a safer, stronger future for Jewish communities across the world.

Thank you to all the speakers, panellists, organisers, and participants who made this event a success.

#EJA #Antisemitism #HolocaustRemembrance #JewishLeadership #Unity

Follow us for updates and more: [https://linktr.ee/ejassociation](https://linktr.ee/ejassociation)EJA delegation conclusion