EUROPEAN JEWISH ASSOCIATION RESPONSE TO THE VANDALISM IN THE JEWISH CEMETERY IN 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.”
- March 18, 2025
EUROPEAN JEWISH ASSOCIATION RESPONSE TO GHENT COURT ACQUITTAL OF HERMAN BRUSSELMANS
Responding to the news this morning that a court in Ghent has acquitted Herman Brusselmans for Holocaust Denial or Trivialisation and for Racism or Hate speech, the Chairman of the European Jewish Association, Rabbi Menachem Margolin said in statement,
“Jewish Communities across Belgium and across Europe have just been told that hate laws don’t apply to Jews in the Kingdom.
The Courts think it OK for a man, read by hundreds of thousands of people, to incite murder and spread hate.
The Court thinks it’s ok to write in a national publication that you want to stick a knife in the throat of every Jew you come across in anger at the situation in Gaza.
Belgium has just normalised hate speech. It has given a green light to antisemitism. It has said that when it comes to Jews, everything is permitted.
This is a disgraceful and utterly shameful outcome, one that calls into very question the future of Jews in Belgium. Brusselmans words were so clear cut. And his acquittal leaves a gaping wound between Jews and the very state that is supposed to care for its wellbeing.
The new Belgium Government has the urgent duty to bring forward new legislation to prevent such reprehensible and morally bankrupt decisions in the future when it comes to the fight against antisemitism.”
- March 12, 2025
Open letter to the federal Belgian negotiators,
Brussels, 27 January 2025 – In an open letter, leading Jewish associations and the Belgian League against Anti-Semitism have addressed the leaders of the upcoming Belgian government.
The letter, signed by the European Jewish Association (EJA), the Ligue belge contre l’antisémitisme (LBCA) and the Joods Informatie- en Documentatiecentrum (JID), outlines key concerns of the Jewish community that they hope to see addressed in the new coalition agreement. The letter is being accompanied by an extensive online communication campaign to highlight this action and to involve citizens in the initiative.
- Increased security
The letter highlights the need for increased security measures for Jewish institutions in light of the increased risk of attack, as identified by national security organisations. It calls for both temporary and structural reinforcements to ensure the safety of the Jewish community and implores the appointment of a federal security advisor to coordinate these matters.
- Combating Jew hatred
The letter calls for the appointment of a special coordinator to combat anti-Semitism, an initiative already adopted by several European countries. This coordinator would be responsible for monitoring Jew hatred and developing strategies against this growing threat, particularly in view of the worrying increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Belgium.
- Freedom of religion
As Europe continues to secularise, the letter underlines the importance of recognising and protecting religious freedoms. The Jewish community seeks assurances that its right to freedom of belief will continue to be respected and protected, and stresses the importance of constructive dialogue on sensitive issues.
The call to the new government is clear: take the concerns of the Jewish community seriously and integrate their needs into policy. The letter concludes with an invitation for partnership in the hope that, despite the tragedies of the past, the Jewish community can look forward to a dynamic future.
It is now up to the leaders of the coalition government in formation to respond to this call and to show that Belgium recognises and protects the value and contributions of its Jewish citizens.
Download the letter in PDF
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:8cd61633-824b-4f06-a19f-b8a607728615
- January 28, 2025
Open brief aan de federale onderhandelaars,
Brussel, 27 januari 2025 – In een open brief hebben vooraanstaande Joodse verenigingen en de Belgische Liga tegen het antisemitisme zich gericht tot de leiders van de Arizona coalitie.
De brief, ondertekend door de European Jewish Association (EJA), Ligue belge contre l’antisémitisme (LBCA), en het Joods Informatie- en Documentatiecentrum (JID), legt belangrijke zorgen van de Joodse gemeenschap voor die zij hopen geadresseerd te zien in het nieuwe regeerakkoord. Er wordt naast de brief ook een omvangrijke online communicatiecampagne gelanceerd om de actie in de verf te zetten en om burgers te betrekken bij het initiatief.
- Verhoogde Veiligheid
De brief benadrukt de noodzaak voor verhoogde veiligheidsmaatregelen voor Joodse instellingen, gezien het verhoogde risico op aanvallen zoals vastgesteld door het OCAD. Er wordt gepleit voor zowel tijdelijke als structurele versterkingen, die nodig zijn om de veiligheid van de Joodse gemeenschap te garanderen. Er wordt voorgesteld een veiligheidsadviseur op federaal niveau aan te stellen om deze zaken te coördineren.
- Bestrijding van Jodenhaat
De brief roept op tot de aanstelling van een speciale gezant ter bestrijding van antisemitisme, een initiatief dat al door diverse Europese landen is overgenomen. Deze coördinator zou verantwoordelijk zijn voor het monitoren van antisemitisme en het ontwikkelen van strategieën tegen deze groeiende dreiging, vooral gezien de verontrustende toename van antisemitische incidenten in België.
- Vrijheid van Geloof
Als Europa verder seculariseert, onderstreept de brief het belang van het erkennen en beschermen van religieuze vrijheden. De Joodse gemeenschap vraagt om garanties dat hun recht op vrijheid van geloof gerespecteerd en beschermd blijft, en benadrukt het belang van een constructieve dialoog over gevoelige kwesties.
De oproep aan de nieuwe regering is duidelijk: neem de zorgen van de Joodse gemeenschap serieus en integreer hun behoeften in het beleid. De brief sluit af met een uitnodiging voor een partnerschap, in de hoop dat de Joodse gemeenschap, ondanks de tragedies van het verleden, een dynamische toekomst tegemoet kan gaan.
De partijvoorzitters van de Arizona coalitie zijn nu aan zet om te reageren op deze oproep tot actie, en om te laten zien dat België de waarde en bijdragen van haar Joodse burgers erkent en beschermt.
Download de brief ook als PDF
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:25d142c0-c769-4813-a68f-5cdbe168f656
- January 28, 2025
Lettre ouverte aux négociateurs fédéraux,
Bruxelles, le 27 janvier 2025 – Dans une lettre ouverte, des associations juives et la Ligue belge contre l’antisémitisme s’adressent aux dirigeants de la coalition Arizona.
Signée par la European Jewish Assosiaction (EJA), la Ligue belge contre l’antisémitisme (LBCA) et het Joods Informatie- en Documentatiecentrim (JID), cette lettre présente les principales préoccupations de la communauté juive qu’elle espère voir abordées dans le nouvel accord de coalition. Une vaste campagne de communication en ligne est lancée parallèlement à la lettre afin de mettre en lumière l’action et d’impliquer les citoyens dans l’initiative.
- Renforcement de la sécurité
Elle souligne la nécessité de renforcer les mesures de sécurité pour les institutions juives, compte tenu du risque accru d’attentats identifié par l’OCAM. Elle appelle à des renforcements temporaires et structurels nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité de la communauté juive. Il est suggéré qu’un conseiller en matière de sécurité soit nommé au niveau fédéral pour coordonner ces questions.
- Lutte contre l’antisémitisme
La lettre demande la nomination d’un coordinateur pour lutter contre l’antisémitisme, une initiative déjà adoptée par plusieurs pays européens. Ce coordinateur serait chargé de surveiller l’antisémitisme et de développer des stratégies pour lutter contre cette menace croissante, notamment en raison de l’augmentation inquiétante des incidents antisémites en Belgique.
- Liberté de religion
Alors que l’Europe se sécularise de plus en plus, la lettre souligne l’importance de la reconnaissance et de la protection des libertés religieuses. La communauté juive souhaite obtenir l’assurance que son droit à la liberté de croyance continuera d’être respecté et protégé, et souligne l’importance d’un dialogue constructif sur les questions sensibles.
L’appel lancé au nouveau gouvernement est clair : prenez les préoccupations de la communauté juive au sérieux et intégrez leurs besoins dans la politique. La lettre se termine par une invitation au partenariat, dans l’espoir que la communauté juive, malgré les tragédies du passé, puisse affronter un avenir dynamique.
Il appartient maintenant aux présidents des partis de la coalition de l’Arizona de répondre à cet appel à l’action et de montrer que la Belgique reconnaît et protège la valeur et les contributions de ses citoyens juifs.
Téléchargez également la lettre au format PDF.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:372afbbc-7efa-488b-8856-ee8c224ab208
- January 28, 2025
Jewish organizations call for revision of regulations after moment of silence for convicted Holocaust denier
The European Jewish Association (EJA), a leading umbrella organisation representing the interests of Jewish communities across Europe, is calling for a revision of the procedures surrounding commemorative moments in the Flemish Parliament. This follows a recent moment of silence held in memory of a former parliamentarian who had been previously convicted of Holocaust denial.
The controversy emerged after the Flemish Parliament observed a moment of silence for Roeland Raes, a former parliamentarian for the far-right Vlaams Blok party, who was convicted in 2008 for denying the Holocaust. Raes, who passed away at the age of 90, was a co-founder of the radical-right group Voorpost and served in both the Senate and the Flemish Council, the precursor to the Flemish Parliament. His commemoration prompted strong protests from left-wing parties, which walked out of the session in objection.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the EJA, has formally requested Parliament Speaker Freya Van den Bossche to review the current regulations and establish clear criteria for such commemorations. “A moment of silence is a powerful symbol and should be reserved for individuals who uphold the values of our democratic society. It is inappropriate to honour individuals convicted of serious offences such as Holocaust denial or other major crimes,” stated Margolin.
The letter underscores the moral responsibility of parliament and highlights that citizens’ trust in democratic institutions can be undermined when such commemorations occur. “The Flemish Parliament must remain a beacon of integrity and justice, which requires clear guidelines to determine who can and cannot be commemorated,” Margolin added.
This request comes at a particularly poignant time, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27th January and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. “This day reminds us of the ongoing duty to remain vigilant and to show respect for the victims of genocide,” Margolin said.
In addition to calling for procedural reforms, the letter also proposes holding a moment of silence during the first plenary session after 27th January, in memory of the victims of the Nazi regime and the 25,000 deported Belgian Jews.
The letter was co-signed by Federal MP Michael Freilich, who also serves as the EJA’s envoy for Holocaust remembrance. Freilich, the only Jewish member of the Belgian Federal Parliament, stressed the importance of ensuring that such painful incidents do not recur in the future.
Margolin urged the Speaker to address this matter with the gravity it deserves and to take the necessary steps within parliament to prevent similar situations from arising again.
- January 23, 2025