PRESS RELEASE: Shocking outcome of survey urge European member states to counter antisemitism
10/12/2018
“The shocking results of the survey on antisemitism by the Fundamental Rights Agency shows the urgency of a fast implementation by the member states of the common strategy adopted by the European Council six days ago”, says Robin Sclafani director of CEJI, the Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe.
The Council expressed its strong concern that antisemitic hatred remains widespread. It proposed, among other measurers, the endorsement of the non-legally binding IHRA definition of antisemitism, the reinforcement of the protection of Jewish communities, the improvement of recording hate crimes by law enforcement authorities and more training about all forms of intolerance, racism, hate crime, in particular antisemitic prejudices.
CEJI welcomes this strategy and sees it as a recognition of the projects and training programs which we introduced decennia ago and were recently expanded by our project ‘Facing all the Facts’, which helps to identify, monitor and counter hate crime on line.
The 16.500 Jewish respondents from 12 European countries, who participated in the survey the FRA presented today, gave a very problematic picture of the trends in antisemitism and their personal experiences of anti-Semitic incidents in Europe. More than one third (38%) of the European Jews say that they consider emigration, because the feel no longer save as Jews. 40% worries to be physically attacked within the next year, and 85% consider antisemitism and racism to be the most pressing problems across the EU member states.
The mere fact that 70% of the respondents believe that their national governments efforts to combat antisemitism are not effective, highlights the urgency for the European governments to act immediately and without hesitation to step up legal measures and to introduce new educational tools.
While every form of racism and discrimination should be countered, Europe has a special responsibility to the Jewish people. More than 73 years after the Shoa Europe stands for a test. The strategy adopted by the Council gives the member states the necessary instruments to show that they care about the well-being of their Jewish citizens and that harm against them target the fundamental values and human rights the EU stands for. But if the member states fail to act, Europe will not only lose the battle against antisemitism, it will send a message of impotence to carry out its mission of peace, equality and democracy for all its citizens.
For additional information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Julia Mozer, Communication Officer – julia.mozer@ceji.org
+32 (0)2 340 96 28
