\u201cAntisemitism is an attack on European values\u201d. So starts the declaration approved on Wednesday by the Council of the European Union to mainstream the prevention of and countering antisemitism in all its forms. The adopted declaration makes the fight against antisemitism a priority of Europe\u2019s executive branch. \u201cAny form of antisemitism, intolerance or racist hatred is incompatible with the values and aims of the European Union and its Member States and must be addressed through decisive action at European and national level\u201d it states. Member states, it reads, have a permanent, shared responsibility to actively protect and support Jewish life.
\nThe critical step comes under the leadership of the German presidency of the Council, which is comprised of government ministers from the 27 EU Member States. The European Summit of heads of state and government is expected to formally adopt the declaration this week.
\nThe declaration, which comes two years after the Council of the European Union declaration on the fight against antisemitism, acknowledges the increasing prevalence of various forms of antisemitism in Europe, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. \u201cThe increase in threats\u00a0to Jewish persons in Europe including the resurgence of conspiracy myths, public expressions of antisemitism, and an increase of antisemitic incidents and hate crimes is a cause of great concern,\u201d it states. The declaration calls on member states to engage in \u201ccontinuous dialogue with the Jewish community with a view to ensuring appropriate levels of security awareness, specific training for security staff and law-enforcement officers, exchange of best practices and thorough implementation of appropriate measures to ensure the security of Jewish institutions\u201d.
\nWhile focused on combating hate, the declaration acknowledges the role played by Jews in Europe\u2019s history. \u2018\u2019Judaism and Jewish life have contributed considerably to shaping European identity and enriching Europe\u2019s cultural, intellectual and religious heritage. We are grateful that 75 years after the Holocaust, Jewish life, in all its diversity, is deeply rooted and thriving again in Europe. It is our permanent, shared responsibility to actively protect and support Jewish life.\u2019\u2019
\nThe World Jewish Congress, which for years has worked with EU leadership on codifying measures to fight antisemitism at member state and local levels, applauded the move. \u201cThis declaration is a significant step forward in making Europe a better place for Jews,\u201d said WJC president Ronald S. Lauder in a statement. \u201cThe responsibility now falls on member states to apply the policies and understanding laid out by the European Union in each of their countries, to ensure that the scourge of antisemitism is dealt with, that perpetrators are prosecuted to the greatest extent of the law, and that our next generation learns that hatred is unacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"