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  • EUROPEAN JEWISH ASSOCIATION RESPONSE TO THE VANDALISM IN THE JEWISH CEMETERY IN SLOVAKIA

EUROPEAN JEWISH ASSOCIATION RESPONSE TO THE VANDALISM IN THE JEWISH CEMETERY IN SLOVAKIA

March 18, 2025
Slovakia

AS JEWISH CEMETERY IN SLOVAKIA IS DEFACED AGAIN, EUROPEAN JEWISH ASSOCIATION URGES SLOVAK GOVERNMENT TO CLAMP DOWN HARD ON REPULSIVE PERPETRATORS AND INCREASE HOLOCAUST EDUCATION PROVISION

Immediate focus after bringing prosecutions against perpetrators must be on education says EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin.

(Brussels 17 March 2025) A Jewish Cemetery in Humenne, Slovakia was desecrated with the daubing of Swastikas on headstones. This is the second time that the Cemetery was attacked, and follows a pattern of attacks over the last years on Jewish cemetaries.

The cemetery stands as memorial monument to a lost community, wiped out in the Holocaust.

The Brussels based European Jewish Association represents hundreds of Jewish Communities across Europe. Its Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin has written to the Slovak Minister of Education, Mr Tomas Drucker urging his department to increase Holocaust education in all schools and for his government clamp down hard and prosecute the perpetrators.

In a statement today, Rabbi Margolin said,

“The desecration of Jewish graves is heinous, repulsive and a betrayal of memory. These stones stand as a testament to a community that vanished after humanity’s lowest point: the Holocaust

“I have written to the Slovakian Education Minister to increase Holocaust education in Slovakia. When graveyards are habitually desecrated it points to a sickness in society that needs to be addressed.

“The best cure, other than the perpetrators feeling the full weight of justice, is through education, in particular of learning the lessons of the Holocaust and where mindless hatred can lead a society. The government must clamp down hard.”

 

Additional Articles

Belgium Croatia Greece Israel

Press Release concerning the latest antisemitic attacks in Croatia and Greece

The European Jewish Association (EJA) is appalled by the latest Antisemitism
incidents that took place in Croatia and in Greece, only a few days after the
unspeakable massacre against innocent civilians committed by Hamas in Israel. In
Split, Croatia’s 2nd largest city, a graffiti “Juden Raus” adorned with the “U” from the
WW2 fascist Ustasa regime that killed and deported thousands of Jews made its
appearance. In Thessaloniki, Greece’s 2nd largest city as well, the Holocaust memorial
mural at the main train station was desecrated with the inscriptions “Jews=Nazi” and
“Free Gaza”. Furthermore, a Jewish store was attacked, causing luckily only material
damage.

Commenting on the incidents in Croatia, EJA Managing Director Jorgos Papadakis
said: “It is hard to comprehend these acts of hatred against Jews in Europe. We have
been in Croatia two weeks ago, organized an international conference in Zagreb and
paid tribute to the thousands who perished at the notorious Jasenovac Death Camp.
We praised the country’s IHRA Chairmanship and the efforts made to eradicate
antisemitism. This is why it is surprising that we heard no words of condemnation from
the government. Using the exact same words the Nazis used before eventually leading
millions of Jews to their death cannot be perceived even as a bad joke.”, Papadakis
stressed out.

On Greece, Papadakis added: “As a Greek, I cannot even begin to comprehend such
acts of violence and hate in a city that lost almost its entire Jewish population, more
than 50 thousand souls, during the Holocaust. The authorities must send a strong
message by condemning this barbarism and bringing the culprits in front of justice.
Anything else would not be acceptable.”

Ends

  • October 30, 2023
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Belgium

After speaking to Adidas leadership, European Jewish Association welcomes revision of Hadid Munich campaign, accepts apology and says “Let’s move on.”

(Brussels 19 July 2024) The European Jewish Association (EJA), representing hundreds of Jewish Communities across Europe, has been in discussions with Leadership at Adidas over the Bella Hadid Campaign for a shoe marking the 1972 Olympics. A campaign described by the EJA as deeply insensitive and painful given the murder of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists.In a statement today, the Chairman of the EJA, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, who spoke to leadership at the sports giant, said:“It was deeply insensitive and painful to see Bella Hadid, one of the most vocal and hateful inciters of antisemitism, fronting a campaign for an Adidas shoe marking the 1972 Munich Olympics – games that were made infamous by the tragic murder of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists.“Having spoken to Leadership at the company, we appreciate the speed with which Adidas have acted. It is a recognition that a serious mistake was made. We accept their apology and their commitment to be more mindful and careful of such sensitivities going forwards.“We welcome their decision to revise the campaign going forwards to reflect the understandable concerns raised by Jews, Israelis, and large swathes of the public world-wide.“We trust that this revision of the campaign will allows us all to move on from this entirely avoidable incident.”Ends.

  • July 19, 2024
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United Kingdom

National Jewish Assembly (NJA)

The National Jewish Assembly (NJA) is a prominent organisation dedicated to serving the Jewish community in the United Kingdom. With a robust commitment to advocacy, education, and community engagement, the NJA plays a pivotal role in advancing Jewish interests and promoting cultural heritage.

Through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, the NJA actively addresses key issues affecting the Jewish population, including combating antisemitism, advocating for religious freedom, and fostering interfaith dialogue. With a firm stance against discrimination and intolerance, the NJA champions the rights and well-being of Jewish individuals and communities nationwide.

The NJA takes pride in its comprehensive educational programmes, which aim to deepen understanding of Jewish history, tradition, and values among both Jews and non-Jews alike. Through seminars, workshops, and publications, the NJA empowers individuals to embrace and celebrate Jewish identity while promoting mutual respect and understanding across diverse communities.

At the heart of its mission, the NJA fosters a strong sense of community and belonging among Jews throughout the UK. By organising cultural events, social gatherings, and networking opportunities, the NJA cultivates meaningful connections and strengthens bonds within the Jewish community.

In summary, the National Jewish Assembly stands as a formidable advocate and champion for Jewish rights, education, and community cohesion in the United Kingdom, ensuring a vibrant and thriving future for generations to come.

https://nja.org.uk/

  • June 8, 2022
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Belgian university maintains collaboration with Israeli institutions despite protests demanding to cut ties

About twenty demonstrators protested Thursday in front of the rector’s office at  Leuven University      (KUL) in Belgium on Thursday to demand that the university immediately end its collaboration with Israeli institutions. But the university said it has decided to maintain current collaboration with its Israeli partners, daily La Libre reported. 

Participants at the protest action waved Palestinian flags and wore black and white scarves. They chanted slogans such as “Shame on KUL, break up with Israel”, “Free Palestine” and “Stop the genocide”.

Several actions have already taken place in recent months to denounce the links between Israeli universities and KU Leuven. “We have the impression that the University of Leuven will not put an end to these collaborations,” a protester was quoted as saying.  “That’s why we’re keeping up the pressure: links with institutions linked to the arms industry and the Israeli security apparatus are extremely problematic,” he added.

The rector of KU Leuven, Luc Sels, will receive some of the protesters to discuss the issue next Tuesday but the university said that it has decided to maintain its current research projects with various Israeli universities, following a decision taken on by the relevant ethics committee.

The university has “thoroughly evaluated” the current collaborations, particularly on the basis of human rights. “The general position is one of restraint”, the Rector wrote on his blog.

The leuven university has no structural links with Israeli universities, but does have project-based collaborations. These involve some fifteen projects, mostly in larger consortia funded by the European Horizon research program.

“The content of each project was thoroughly examined: it was checked whether there was any risk of the content being misused or used for military purposes,” Luc Sels said.

“The projects were also assessed to determine whether they presented a risk of human rights violations and whether the partners were not involved in human rights violations,’’ he added.

He continued: ‘’On the basis of this screening, it was decided to continue with the current projects. “We are opting for a balanced, fine-tuned approach. New collaborations with Israeli partners must first be submitted to the ethics committee for assessment. The committee not only applies human rights criteria but will also assess with the necessary rigor whether the research has possible military applications.’’

At another Belgian university in Ghent, an association titled ‘’Students4Palestine’’ also called on the Board of Governors and Rector to cut all collaborations with Israeli institutions which they accused of being ”complicit in the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.’’ They are threatening to occupy the University if their demand is not met.

Last November, Ghent University issued a clear statement saying that it always decides to cooperate with partners, universities or companies and not with countries as such.’’ ‘’Within the framework of our human rights policy, it is therefore actual our potential partners we assess and not the country in which they are located,’’ the statement said.

Belgian university maintains collaboration with Israeli institutions despite protests demanding to cut ties

  • May 3, 2024
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European Jewish Association

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.

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