SWC Calls on EU to Create Stronger Plan to Protect Jews and Address Rising Anti-Semitism

July 11, 2024

In response to a July 11, 2024 report from the European Center for Fundamental Rights that documents rising anti-Semitism in 13 EU countries, the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) called upon the EU to take stronger actions to protect Jews within the EU and combat anti-Semitism.

According to the report:

• “76% hide their Jewish identity at least occasionally and 34% avoid Jewish events or sites because they do not feel safe.”

• “90% of respondents encountered antisemitism online in the year before the survey.”

• “75% feel that people hold them responsible for the Israeli government’s actions because they are Jewish.”

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWC Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action said: “The fact that 76% of Jews in the EU say they are afraid to wear a kippah in public or show other outward signs of Jewish identity tells us that European anti-Semitism is not a small problem but a five-alarm fire.  The EU needs to develop a much more forceful plan to combat anti-Semitism and ensure the safety of European Jews.”

Among the recommendations of the Simon Wiesenthal Center are:

• Adoption in public schools of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism including public recognition of the inherent anti-Semitism of calling for Israel’s destruction.

• Increased security for Jewish institutions including Jewish schools and places of worship.

• Mandatory curriculum in public schools on the history of European Jewry from ancient times to the present day.

Daniel Schuster, Senior Representative of Europe for the SWC said “The hatred of Jews, which is reaching epidemic proportions within the EU, is a threat to the soul of Europe. We hope European leaders will act before it is too late.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).