Dear Friends,

We are happy to share with you a positive update regarding the European Parliament Working Group on Anti-Semitism (WGAS), of which EJC is both the secretariat and advisor.

The WGAS has been approached by the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI) in order to become their sole interlocutor on anti-Semitism.

ARDI enjoys an official and formal status within the European Parliament as an Intergroup whereas the WGAS has only an informal capacity.

ARDI has been advising in the past years various committees and delegations regarding the topic of human rights, including anti-Semitism, at rare occasions. ARDI acknowledged the importance of the WGAS and believed that a synergy would benefit both bodies and would avoid duplicating the efforts
in combating anti-Semitism.

ARDI recognized the impact, expertise and visibility of the WGAS which led to the signing of an agreement.

This agreement frames the terms of our collaboration and gives the WGAS the leading role on the topic of anti-Semitism without interfering with its internal decisions and agenda. This is a win-win situation that gives both bodies the possibility to use all the tools made available by the EU Institutions, including a platform to take concrete political and legal actions in combating anti-Semitism.

This partnership means that the WGAS chair, MEP Lopez-Aguilar, is now a co-chair in ARDI and any decision, event or further step regarding anti-Semitism won’t take place without the input and agreement of the WGAS. We are very glad about this new milestone in our advocacy efforts.

The first event after the signing of this agreement that entered into force on January 1 is a European Parliament roundtable to discuss the outcomes of the first European Union Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights. This event will take place on February 16 in the European Parliament. Please see below the poster for the event.

We have prepared an updated report on recent anti-Semitic incidents that will be discussed in this meeting. The report will be distributed to the European Commission coordinator on anti-Semitism and, naturally, to the chair of the Working Group among other interlocutors.

We would like to count on your cooperation. Therefore, if you have any questions, comments or information that you would like to share for discussion at this roundtable, please kindly let us know and we will put it on the agenda.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Ariella and Nuno

European Jewish Congress (EJC)
Tel : +3225408159
Fax : +3225408169
Web : www.eurojewcong.org