We are delighted to announce the commencement of our yearly conference in Amsterdam. This significant event focuses on tackling the concerning and increasing surge of antisemitism within our community.
Through impactful keynote speeches and dynamic panel discussions, we will explore solutions and responses to this troubling trend. The conference serves as a vital rallying call for all those committed to combating discrimination and halting its further advancement.
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The European Jewish Association is a prominent and influential organisation dedicated to representing, advocating for, and fostering the interests of the Jewish community across Europe. Founded on unity, tolerance, and inclusivity principles, the EJA bridges diverse Jewish communities and European societies.
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By EuroNews (https://www.euronews.com/2024/02/15/antisemitic-incidents-in-the-uk-reach-new-high-new-data-shows)
The war in Gaza appears to have triggered an alarming spike in threats against Jews and Jewish institutions, regardless of their relationship to the state of Israel.
The number of antisemitic incidents in the UK has reached a new annual high, according to data gathered by a Jewish safety watchdog.
The annual report from the Community Security Trust, or CST, recorded 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023, the highest total ever reported to the group in a single year.
The report’s findings, released on Thursday, represent the highest number of antisemitic incidents reported in a year in the UK since consistent monitoring began.
According to its data, drawn from self-reported incidents, two-thirds of the 2023 incidents occurred after the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel: 2,699, compared with 392 over the same period in 2022.
This included 416 incidents reported to the CST, which works to protect British Jews from antisemitism, in the week following the attacks – the largest number in any week last year.
The types of altercations recorded include assault (up 96% since 2022) damage and desecration of Jewish property (up 146%), threats (up 196%) and abusive behaviour (up 149%). Online antisemitism rose by 257%.
CST stated that the “driving force” behind the 147% surge in anti-Jewish abuse last year was Hamas’s attack on Israel on the 7th of October.
“This trigger event had a seismic effect on antisemitic incident levels in the UK that outweighs the impact of previous wars involving Israel, and the impact was instant,” the report said.
“Thirty-one instances of anti-Jewish hate were reported on 7 October, the day of Hamas’ attack, whereas CST had recorded an average of five incidents per day between 1 January and 6 October.”
British Home Secretary James Cleverly condemned the rise in antisemitic abuse as “utterly deplorable”.
He said the government had taken steps to confront it, including increasing funding for protective security at Jewish schools and places of worship.
The Chairman of the European Jewish Association Rabbi Menachem Margolin expressed his concern at remarks made by the Romanian President in which he resorted to language such as “secret agreements with the Jews.”
President Klaus Iohannis made the remarks to the media following Romanian Prime Ministerial meetings with the Israeli government. The President it seems was expressing his discomfort over not being previously consulted on the content of the visit as well as on the decision of Jerusalem recognition, according to established protocol, where the controversial remark was made.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, whose Brussels based organisation represents Jews across the continent warned that Heads of State should avoid using such language “heavy at it is with connotation and sinister undertone.”
In a statement from Brussels, Rabbi Margolin said,
“Regardless of established protocols and the President’s evident displeasure that they were not adhered to, I would urge restraint and caution when it comes Heads of State to using language such as this.
“In the media heat of the moment, finding the correct words is not always easy, and we are prepared to give the President the benefit of the doubt on this occasion. But using such language, loaded as it is with connotation and sinister undertone, can be seized upon by unsavoury elements in society and naturally, sets off alarm bells amongst the Jewish community.”
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.
