STATEMENTS

EJA Secretary General David Lega and Vice-Chairman Alex Benjamin are attending the 8th Working Group on the implementation of EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in Brussels today. David will be addressing the working group on a panel on the challenges affecting Jewish communities. He will be talking about the need to increase legally, culturally and via education the protection of European Jewry through a new ‘status’ at eu and Member state level. We thank Katharina von schnurbein and her team for the opportunity and for convening this important working group.

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.”

We welcome the decision by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum to revoke the asylum status of Mohanad Alkhatib, a Palestinian from Gaza, following clear evidence of his public glorification of the October 7 attacks against Israel and his continued activity as a propagandist and apologist for Hamas.

Following evidence presented by the Israeli Embassy in Athens to the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, H.E. Athanasios Plevris, the Ministry determined that Mohanad Alkhatib poses a threat to public order and to the Jewish community in particular. As a result, the asylum status granted to him in March 2025 has been revoked.

Videos circulating online show him openly rejoicing during the events of 7 October, while present in the border area between Israel and Gaza, and expressing praise for the Hamas massacre. His social media profiles also feature photographs in which he poses alongside senior Hamas figures, including former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, prior to his assassination.

In the period following 7 October, his online activity continued to glorify Hamas. He notably paid tribute to a confirmed Hamas member, Hassan Eslaieh, describing him as a close friend and “companion since the beginning of the war”. Hassan Eslaieh was an employee of Hamas-affiliated Al Quds TV and worked closely with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Even after arriving in Europe, he continued to disseminate extremist propaganda. On 23 June 2025, he published a message praising an Iranian strike “towards the American base”, referring to Al Udeid Air Base, writing: “May God protect our people in Qatar and may God guide Iran’s aim towards the American base.”

European Jewish Association Director for EU Relations, Ruth Isaac Daskalopoulou, stated;
“We thank the Greek Minister of Migration, H.E. Athanasios Plevris, and the Governor of the Asylum Service, Mr. Marios Kaleas, for their strong leadership and swift action in revoking the asylum status of Mohanad Alkhatib, who poses a serious threat to the community and public. We also thank Prime Minister Mitsotakis for his government’s for their zero tolerance towards incitement and for taking the concerns  of the Jewish community seriously. We thank the Israeli Embassy in Athens for their work.”

Alkhatib is currently present in Belgium, where he has been questioned by the authorities regarding his activities. His subsequent application for asylum in Belgium has been denied, and he has lodged an appeal against that decision.

Regarding the situation in Belgium, we commend the Belgian authorities for denying Alkhatib’s asylum application and for investigating the serious concerns raised by his public conduct and online activity. However, where an individual is found to pose a threat to public order and community safety, investigation alone is not sufficient. Belgium should now take the necessary steps to ensure that Alkhatib is removed from Belgian territory in accordance with the law.

European Jewish Association (EJA) Initiates Legal Action Against Bob Vylan Following His Ancienne Belgique Performance
The European Jewish Association (EJA) has initiated legal proceedings following the 2 December performance of Bob Vylan at Ancienne Belgique, during which the artist led the crowd in chants of “Death to the IDF” and “Everybody hates the police,” while displaying a Samidoun-branded t-shirt — an organisation officially classified as terror-linked in several countries and undergoing formal designation procedures as a terrorist organisation in several additional countries where its activities have already been banned.
The investigating judge of the Brussels Court of First Instance today received the complaint filed by Belgian attorney Christophe Boeraeve and EJA legal counsel Adv. Shlomo Dahan, and authorised the opening of an investigation into Vylan’s performance for the following offences:
* Incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence;
* Dissemination of ideas based on racial hatred; assistance to a group promoting discrimination;
* Public provocation to commit a terrorist offence;
* Glorification of terrorism;
* Participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation;
* Provocation to commit offences against public authorities.
In Israel, the law requires every citizen to serve in the army, and therefore calls for the death of IDF soldiers are, by definition, understood as directed at every Israeli and every Jew.
The fact that thousands of Belgian citizens were incited and roused to call for the death of the overwhelming majority of Israelis, while hurling insults at the Belgian police, reflects a profound moral failure and a security threat that Belgian authorities must treat with utmost seriousness.
As Boeraeve and Dahan explain:
“Criticise Israeli policy as you wish. But leading thousands to call for the death of the vast majority of Israelis? That is not speech — that is pure incitement. Some might call it rock and roll — provocative performance art. But there is a line. Belgian law draws it clearly. When you lead a crowd to call for the death of people defined by their nationality, that line is crossed.”
In addition to legal action, the EJA has submitted an official complaint to UNIA, Belgium’s federal anti-discrimination authority, requesting that it investigate the incident and consider public and legal measures in response to the incitement witnessed.
Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the EJA, stated:
“Freedom of expression is a pillar of democracy. We recognise it and we defend it. But when an artist leads thousands to chant for the death of others, when hostility toward law enforcement becomes normalised — a red line has been crossed. Belgian law marks that line clearly. Silence is not neutrality — it is complicity. We have initiated legal action and filed an official complaint with UNIA. We now expect the authorities to act. What occurred at Ancienne Belgique is not only a moral lapse — it is a threat to Jewish communities and to Belgian society as a whole, and it demands a firm response.”

We are proud to announce that Fernando Pessoa University in Porto has formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism. This makes UFP the first university in Portugal to officially adopt the IHRA definition. The decision comes at a time when antisemitism is rising sharply across Europe and universities in particular face hostility that often hides behind political slogans. UFP has chosen clarity and responsibility.

The declaration signed with EJA commits the university to use the IHRA definition as a tool to prevent and combat antisemitism in all its forms. UFP pledges to monitor signs of hatred on campus and to promote initiatives that defend human rights. It also commits to integrating awareness of the IHRA definition into its code of conduct. These commitments are outlined in points 1 to 4 of the signed document.

The decision carries both symbolic and practical weight. UFP is known as one of the European universities with the highest proportion of Jewish students.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association, said:
“Fernando Pessoa University has shown leadership at a moment when it is needed the most. Many institutions hesitate, yet UFP chose action. Antisemitism cannot be ignored or excused. By adopting the IHRA definition, the university sends a clear message that Jewish students will be protected and respected. We welcome this partnership and hope it inspires others.”

Gabriel Senderowicz, President of the Jewish Community of Porto, said:
“This is a historic moment. It makes perfect sense that the first university in Portugal to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism is Fernando Pessoa University. UFP likely has the highest proportion of Jewish students of any university in Europe, with approximately 500 Jewish students. Over the past twelve years, the university has played an important role in the revival of the Jewish Community of Oporto – a result of the welcoming relationship it has maintained with its Jewish students throughout the years.”

Juan Caldés, EJA European Advocacy Coordinator, said:
“We are very happy that Fernando Pessoa University took this step. They see antisemitism for what it is and they refuse to be intimidated by those who spread hate. This creates a stronger and safer environment for Jewish students and for the entire academic community.”

EJA will continue to work with universities across Europe to encourage the adoption of the IHRA definition and to support students who face antisemitism.