September 11, 2024

Brussels, September 11, 2024–The European Jewish Congress (EJC) strongly endorses the joint statement issued at the Austrian Parliament conference addressing the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism following October 7th as an affront to democracy and human rights, and are supported by parliamentarians and policymakers from across the world.

The conference titled “Never Again? Democracy Cannot Tolerate Antisemitism” organized on the initiative of Austrian National Council president Wolfgang Sobotka convened parliamentarians from 22 nations, including speaker of the Israeli Knesset Amir Ohana, members of the European Parliament, EU officials and Jewish community leaders from around the world, to confront the escalating anti-Semitic threats with a united and decisive response.

The joint statement condemned the alarming surge in anti-Semitic violence, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and calling for stringent oversight of online anti-Semitism and reinforced security for Jewish institutions. It also underscored the pressing need to address the growing anti-Semitic climate on university campuses.

A delegation of the European Jewish Congress consisting of president Ariel Muzicant, director of European affairs Ariella Woitchik and the presidents of EJC-affiliated communities, took part in the conference and expressed their concerns amid the dramatic increase of anti-Semitism on the Continent.

Austrian National Council president Wolfgang Sobotka opened the conference by highlighting the commitment of the Austrian Government to combat anti-Semitism and foster Jewish life amid the dramatic rise following the October 7th massacre in Israel, reinforcing the need to fight against radical Islamic terrorism both in Europe and around the world.

“As parliamentarians it is our responsibility to broaden our understanding of these challenges and take decisive action to ensure the safety of Jewish communities worldwide. We must foster stronger connections between Jewish communities and their respective parliamentarians, as both face the corrosive threat that anti=Semitism poses to democracy,” Sobotka said.

EJC president Ariel Muzicant delivered one of the welcome speeches at the conference, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action to combat the alarming rise in anti-Semitism across Europe which threatens not only Jewish communities but also the core values of democracy, human rights and personal freedoms.

“These freedoms are the oxygen of European citizens, essential for them to live and thrive, particularly for Jewish communities. If democracy and human rights are not safeguarded in Europe, Jewish life will struggle to flourish. This threat is a greater concern for Jewish communities than anti-Semitism itself. If we want to maintain Jewish life in Europe, we need to act now,” Muzicant said.

Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG), highlighted in his speech the dramatic rise of anti-Semitic attacks in Austria and across Europe as well as the threats to Austrian and European societies posed by extremism. He acknowledged the support of Austrian authorities and policymakers for both the Austrian Jewish community and Israel.

“Never has the threat against Jewish life been so imminent, so shockingly open and accepted, as it is now, whether from the radical left or Islamists. And let’s not forget the far right which is destabilizing liberal democracies,” Deutsch cautioned.

CRIF president Yonathan Arfi and president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany Josef Schuster, both EJC vice-presidents, delivered effective reports on the situation of Jewish communities in their countries.

Among many other speakers were president of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Peter De Roover, speaker of the Canadian House of Commons Greg Fergus, MEP Assita Kanko, EU coordinator for combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life Katharina von Schnurbein and executive director of UN Watch Hillel Neuer.

Full statement here.