President Von der Leyen at Chanukah celebration in Brussels warns of “old evil resurfacing in Europe,” announces new Jewish heritage award because Jewish culture is a ‘blessing to Europe”.

Last week EJA hosted  delegation to Auschwitz of school principals and teachers from across Europe. After many years of bringing groups to this place, one thing has become very clear to us, the fight against antisemitism begins with education.

We cannot confront hatred without teaching its roots. We cannot expect children and young people to recognize antisemitism if they are not taught history, if they do not understand where unchecked hatred leads, if they do not know what antisemitism is. There is a saying that those who do not know their history are destined to repeat it, and the events of the past two years have shown us just how true this is.

This is exactly why we were there, to explain, to share, and to show. To stand with the people responsible for educating the next generation, to help them understand the reality we are facing today, and to ask for their partnership in ensuring that children and youth learn the history of our continent, and the history of Jewish life in Europe.

We wish to thank the school principals and teachers from across Europe who joined us for these two meaningful days of conference and the visit to Auschwitz Birkenau. Over these days we were able to speak about the realities of antisemitism, the importance of Holocaust remembrance, and the practical ways they can support the efforts to combat antisemitism today.

European Jewish Association Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin: “A terror attack against terrorists? The Deputy Prime Minister has lost her moral compass.”

(Brussels, 18 September 2024) Petra De Sutter, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, posting on social media said today:

“I strongly condemn the massive terror attack in Lebanon and Syria, which injured thousands of people.”

Her comments drew a swift rebuke from the chairman of the European Jewish Association Rabbi Menachem Margolin, whose organisation represents hundreds of Jewish communities across the continent.

In a statement Rabbi Margolin said:

“Hezbollah and its operatives have been attacking Israel every day, firing hundreds of missiles and drones indiscriminately at civilians.

“Calling the pager operation a terror attack is the world upside down.

“The Deputy Prime Minister’s social media has failed to even mention the hezbollah missile attack of 12 Israeli Druze children, murdered by a Hezbollah missile in July.

“It has also failed to condemn Hezbollah’s constant missile and drone attacks on Israeli civilians.

Regrettably it is clear that Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister has completely lost her moral compass.”

The European Jewish Association calls for the Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez to be removed from her post ”without delay” after she supported the decision of the Ghent Festival of Flanders to boycott Israeli conductor Lahav Shani.In a letter we sent to Conner Rousseau, president of the Vooruit party, of which the minister is a member, we expressed deep alarm and outrage over the recent decision of the Ghent Festival of Flanders to cancel the concert of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra solely because its future conductor, Lahav Shani, is Israeli and Jewish.

Dear Mr. Rousseau,

The European Jewish Association (EJA) expresses its deepest alarm and outrage over the recent decision of the Ghent Festival of Flanders to cancel the concert of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra solely because its future conductor, Lahav Shani, is Israeli and Jewish.

Even more troubling is that Flemish Minister of Culture, Caroline Gennez, not only defended but actively supported this reckless act of cultural and ethnic discrimination.

This decision has gravely damaged Belgium’s international reputation and emboldened antisemitic currents, at a time when Europe urgently needs unity and vigilance against hate.

There can be no place for antisemitism in Belgium or anywhere in Europe in 2025.

Discrimination on the basis of origin, nationality, religion, gender, or race is unacceptable and incompatible with the values of the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights, and Belgium’s own constitutional principles.

Therefore, the EJA formally calls upon Vooruit to remove Caroline Gennez from her position as Minister of Culture without delay.

Allowing a minister who legitimizes such exclusion to remain in office sends a disastrous signal: that prejudice and collective punishment are tolerated at the highest levels of government.

Belgium and Europe must remain places where artists and citizens are judged by their talent and character—not by their birth or faith.

We urge you to act swiftly and decisively to restore public confidence, protect Belgium’s international standing, and demonstrate that Vooruit will never compromise on the fight against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.

Yours sincerely,

Rabbi Menachem Margolin

President

European Jewish Association (EJA)

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.”