The Council “today approved a declaration on mainstreaming the fight against anti-Semitism across policy areas”:

“With this declaration the Council emphasizes that the fight against anti-Semitism is a cross-cutting issue involving various levels of government and policies at local, national and European levels. Awareness of anti-Semitism therefore needs to be raised across policy areas and responsibilities. The EU member states have agreed to mainstream the prevention and countering of antisemitism in all its forms.”

Felix Klein, Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Anti-Semitism, said: “Anti-Semitism is an EU-wide phenomenon. To counter it effectively, we need an appropriate set of European instruments and a sufficient basis. This is precisely the approach taken by the declaration, which I greatly welcome. In my view, tackling anti-Semitism as a comprehensive and networked task extending across policy areas and levels of government is a real milestone.”

The Council of the European Union furthermore “expresses its concern at the increase in threats to Jewish people in Europe, and the resurgence of conspiracy myths, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the increase in anti-Semitic incidents and hate crime.

“It stresses that anti-Semitism has developed into various forms and must be combated with complementary public policies. Illegal hate speech and online terrorist content must be removed promptly and consistently by internet service providers. A strong and systematic judicial response to anti-Semitic acts is also necessary.

“Education about the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and Jewish life remains one of the most important tools in preventing anti-Ssemitic prejudices. Sharing good practices to foster media literacy and awareness of conspiracy myths is also key.

“The member states also welcome the European Commission’s decision to make the fight against anti-Semitism a priority, as well as the strengthening of the institutional basis for the coordinator on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life,” the Council of the European Union reported here.