Europe Faces a Critical Year in combating Antisemitism as Thousands of Jews Leave the Continent
LARNACA, Cyprus — Europe is at a crossroads. The continent is grappling with a dramatic surge in antisemitism, prompting thousands of Jews to abandon their homes and communities. Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), warns that 2025 will be a “critical year” for Jewish communities across Europe.The actions—or inactions—of governments will determine whether Jewish life on the continent can survive.
Speaking to The Associated Press ahead of a gala dinner honoring former Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Margolin revealed that approximately 40,000 Jews have left Europe in recent years, with no plans to return. This exodus is driven by a sharp rise in antisemitic sentiment, which has skyrocketed by 2,000% as the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.“There’s still a chance that Jewish people will be living in europe,” Margolin said. “but if the governments of Europe will not take serious measures that we are demanding from them in this year, this is the beginning of the end of Jewish presence in Europe.”
A Call for Immediate Action
Table of Contents
Margolin emphasized that European governments must move beyond mere verbal condemnations of antisemitism. He called for concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of Jewish institutions and individuals. Among his proposals is the establishment of a “code of conduct” to prevent demonstrations against Israel from devolving into antisemitic protests.
“These immediate steps should be accompanied by ‘strong and swift’ punishment of individuals found guilty of antisemitic actions,” Margolin said.Over the long term,he stressed the need for prosecutors who understand the multifaceted nature of antisemitism and educational programs in schools to combat antisemitic attitudes.
The Role of governments
Margolin attributed the rise in antisemitism to political shortsightedness.He criticized European elected officials who “pretend to think that everything is just alright” and fail to grasp the urgency of the situation.According to him, antisemitism is “coming from all sides of the political spectrum,” exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and broader demographic changes.
The EJA chairman also highlighted the importance of government support for Israel.“The moment the government is friendly towards Israel and understands and defends Israel’s right to defend itself, it reduces a lot of tension against Jewish people,” he said.
A Summit in Cyprus
The EJA, the largest Jewish organization in Europe, recently convened a summit in cyprus to address the rising tide of antisemitism. Margolin explained that Cyprus was chosen as the venue because Jewish people on the island feel “very, very welcome” and secure.The Cypriot government’s close relations with Israel further underscore its commitment to fostering Jewish life.
Key Takeaways
The following table summarizes the key points and proposed solutions discussed by Rabbi Margolin:
| Issue | Proposed Solution |
|——————————-|————————————————————————————–|
| Rising antisemitism | Immediate government action, including a “code of conduct” for protests |
| Lack of prosecution | Training prosecutors to understand the many forms of antisemitism |
| Educational gaps | Introduce school programs to combat antisemitic attitudes |
| Government inaction | Elected officials must prioritize combating antisemitism |
| Support for Israel | Governments should defend Israel’s right to self-defense to reduce tensions |
The path Forward
As Europe faces this critical juncture, the future of its Jewish communities hangs in the balance. Margolin’s call to action is clear: governments must act decisively to combat antisemitism, or risk losing a vibrant and integral part of their cultural and social fabric.
“But more vital is the willingness of the government to combat antisemitism,” Margolin said. Without it, the exodus of Jews from Europe may only accelerate, marking the end of an era for Jewish life on the continent.
For more insights into the EU’s efforts to combat antisemitism, explore the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism.
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Europe Faces a Critical year in Combating Antisemitism as Thousands of Jews Leave the Continent
LARNACA, Cyprus — Europe is at a crossroads. The continent is grappling with a dramatic surge in antisemitism, prompting thousands of jews to abandon their homes and communities. Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), warns that 2025 will be a “critical year” for Jewish communities across Europe. The actions—or inactions—of governments will determine whether Jewish life on the continent can survive.
Speaking to The Associated Press ahead of a gala dinner honoring former Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Margolin revealed that approximately 40,000 Jews have left Europe in recent years, with no plans to return. This exodus is driven by a sharp rise in antisemitic sentiment, wich has skyrocketed by 2,000% as the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. “There’s still a chance that jewish people will be living in Europe,” Margolin said. “But if the governments of Europe will not take serious measures that we are demanding from them in this year, this is the beginning of the end of Jewish presence in Europe.”
A Call for Immediate Action
Margolin emphasized that European governments must move beyond mere verbal condemnations of antisemitism. He called for concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of Jewish institutions and individuals. Among his proposals is the establishment of a “code of conduct” to prevent demonstrations against Israel from devolving into antisemitic protests.
“These immediate steps should be accompanied by ‘strong and swift’ punishment of individuals found guilty of antisemitic actions,” Margolin said. Over the long term, he stressed the need for prosecutors who understand the multifaceted nature of antisemitism and educational programs in schools to combat antisemitic attitudes.
The Role of Governments
Margolin attributed the rise in antisemitism to political shortsightedness. He criticized European elected officials who “pretend to think that everything is just alright” and fail to grasp the urgency of the situation. According to him, antisemitism is “coming from all sides of the political spectrum,” exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and broader demographic changes.
The EJA chairman also highlighted the importance of government support for Israel. “The moment the government is friendly towards Israel and understands and defends Israel’s right to defend itself, it reduces a lot of tension against Jewish people,” he said.
A Summit in Cyprus
The EJA, the largest Jewish organization in Europe, recently convened a summit in Cyprus to address the rising tide of antisemitism. Margolin explained that Cyprus was chosen as the venue because Jewish people on the island feel “very, very welcome” and secure. The Cypriot government’s close relations with Israel further underscore its commitment to fostering Jewish life.
Key Takeaways
The following table summarizes the key points and proposed solutions discussed by rabbi Margolin:
| Issue | Proposed Solution |
|---|---|
| Rising antisemitism | Immediate government action, including a “code of conduct” for protests |
| lack of prosecution | Training prosecutors to understand the many forms of antisemitism |
| Educational gaps | introduce school programs to combat antisemitic attitudes |
| Government inaction | Elected officials must prioritize combating antisemitism |
| Support for Israel | Governments should defend Israel’s right to self-defense to reduce tensions |
The Path Forward
As Europe faces this critical juncture, the future of its Jewish communities hangs in the balance. Margolin’s call to action is clear: governments must act decisively to combat antisemitism, or risk losing a vibrant and integral part of their cultural and social fabric.
“but more vital is the willingness of the government to combat antisemitism,” Margolin said. without it, the exodus of Jews from Europe may only accelerate, marking the end of an era for Jewish life on the continent.
For more insights into the EU’s efforts to combat antisemitism,explore the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism.
Interview with Dr. Rachel Stein, Expert on European Antisemitism
senior Editor: Dr. Stein, thank you for joining us today. The recent statements by Rabbi Margolin have sparked a lot of discussion. What are your thoughts on the current state of antisemitism in Europe?
Dr. Rachel Stein: Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed dire. The rise in antisemitism is not just a statistical anomaly; it’s a reflection of deeper societal issues. The events following the Hamas attack on Israel have exacerbated tensions,but the roots of this problem go much deeper.
Senior Editor: Rabbi Margolin has called for immediate government action. What specific measures do you think are most critical at this juncture?
Dr. Rachel Stein: Immediate action is essential. Governments need to implement a “code of conduct” for protests to prevent them from turning into antisemitic rallies. additionally, there needs to be a robust legal framework to prosecute antisemitic acts swiftly and effectively. Education is also key; we need complete programs in schools to address and dismantle antisemitic attitudes from a young age.
Senior Editor: You mentioned education. How do you see this playing out in the long term?
Dr. Rachel Stein: Education is the cornerstone of any long-term solution. we need to integrate Holocaust education and the history of Jewish contributions to european society into school curricula. This will help foster a culture of understanding and respect. Additionally, training for teachers and educational staff on how to handle and counteract antisemitic incidents is crucial.
Senior Editor: Rabbi Margolin also highlighted the importance of government support for Israel. How does this factor into the broader fight against antisemitism?
Dr. Rachel Stein: Support for Israel is indeed a significant factor. When governments stand firmly with Israel and defend its right to self-defense, it sends a strong message that antisemitism will not be tolerated. This support helps to reduce tensions and provides a sense of security for Jewish communities.
senior Editor: what is your outlook for the future of Jewish communities in Europe?
Dr. Rachel Stein: The future is uncertain, but not without hope. If governments take decisive action now, we can stem the tide of antisemitism and ensure that Jewish life in Europe continues to thrive. However, if inaction prevails, we risk losing a vital part of our cultural and social fabric. The time to act is now.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Stein, for your insights. It’s clear that this is a critical moment
