Spanish government has lost its way, lost its bearings, lost its sight, and are deaf to Jews’ right to defend against terror, says European Jewish Association after Spain joins ICJ ‘genocide’ case.

We are happy to share the success of the Holocaust Memorial Day event hosted by the Jewish Community of Cyprus last Thursday in Cyprus. Over 25 ambassadors, diplomats, dignitaries from the Cyprus government, and other representatives attended the gathering.

The event, organised by the Jewish Community of Cyprus in collaboration with the European Jewish Association, held a profound significance as it paid tribute to the memory of the 6 million lives lost in the Holocaust.

The participation of esteemed guests and dignitaries added substantial weight to the occasion, and we express our gratitude for their involvement.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the event was the presence of two Holocaust survivors, Rivka and Michael Kahana, hailing from Israel.

Their firsthand accounts and resilience served as a poignant reminder of the harrowing atrocities endured during that dark period of history.

The Jewish Community of Cyprus extends heartfelt thanks for the support and engagement of all attendees, contributing significantly to the solemnity and significance of this meaningful occasion.

#NeverAgainIsNow #NotOnMyWatch #HolocaustRemembraceDay

Responding to the news that the Hungarian government has made Hungary’s Emih, Hungarian Jewry’ principal Jewish community, the custodians of the Jewish Museum “House of Fates”, the Chairman and Founder of the European Jewish Association, Rabbi Menachem Margolin welcomed the move and rounded on critics as pretending to speak for Hungary’ Jews.

In a statement Rabbi Margolin said,

“The Emih community was founded in 1877 and re-constituted in 2004. Since then it has been leading from the front when it comes to the remarkable and inspiring revival of Hungary’s Jewish community.

It counts 16 Rabbis acting on behalf of its community in Hungary’s 3 main cities. It is the only community that provides Kosher certification and performs circumcisions. It is the only community to have published, in Hungarian, a Siddur, Machzor, Haggadah and Chumash. Additionally it runs 6 synagogues and leads spiritually another 3 in Hungary. It runs a kindergarten, school, high school and University and Rabbinical college.  It also founded the most important organisation in Hungary that monitors Anti-Semitism – Action and Protection – an organisation that enjoys widespread support among Hungarian Jewry. In the upcoming year, Emih will renew another 3 synagogues in Hungary. There is no doubt that Emih is responsible for the Jewish renaissance in Hungary.

Little wonder therefor that Emih is recognised by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and that the Hungarian government has chosen it to act as custodians for this important museum. This is the first time that a government has given up voluntarily, a museum or memorial and placed it in the hands of the Jewish community. This is to be celebrated not belittled.

Anyone that is critical of this move is showing how far they are removed the community and realities on the ground. Attempts to politicise such a positive step underlines the very real need for communities like Emih, particularly as the Hungarian government is one of the few in Europe that continues to provide support and is helping to create the conditions needed for a flourishing Jewish community through its unambiguous  support for Isreal and Freedom of religion.

The EJA team, alongside Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin and Baroness Régine Suchowolski Sluszny, who serves as the EJA Vice-Chairwoman for Holocaust Remembrance, were pleased to meet with Mr. David Vandeputte, the President of Christians for Israel Belgium. During the meeting, they conveyed their congratulations to Mr. Vandeputte and the entire Christians for Israel Belgium organization for their outstanding work and collaboration. This recognition underscores the importance of fostering strong partnerships and acknowledging the efforts dedicated to shared goals.