Brussels 16.10.2024 The EU Council approved a declaration on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism on October 15.

The declaration highlights alarmingly high levels of antisemitism across the EU and emphasises that the EU stands unequivocally against all forms of antisemitism, racism, hatred, and discrimination. The Council calls in the strongest possible terms for further action to combat these phenomena.

Among the specific areas, the declaration underscores the importance of combating all forms of antisemitic hate speech, including Holocaust denial and trivialisation. These growing trends, especially online, harm Jewish communities, undermine collective historical memory, and threaten the cohesion and security of European democratic societies.

The declaration also stresses the need to foster Jewish life through culture, education and Holocaust remembrance as key elements for promoting tolerance, mutual understanding, cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue. Another important priority is to ensure the safety of Jewish people and the security of Jewish premises and institutions, as well as to support and protect the victims of all forms of antisemitism, racism and all other forms of hatred.

The Council invites member states, the Commission, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, and the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training to continue and intensify their efforts to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish life in their respective areas of competence.

“…The Holocaust is a defining legacy of European history, during which six million Jews were
murdered, as were many other victims, including hundreds of thousands of Roma. Education
and research concerning Jewish life, antisemitism and the Holocaust are of paramount
importance in preventing antisemitic prejudices. While fully respecting national competences
in this matter, this task requires freedom of research, adequate curricula and education and
training about the Holocaust and antisemitism for professionals working in academia, including
teachers and administrators and people working in the field of security and justice. “