The EU-Israel Seminar is a unique forum, that since 2007 brings together European and Israeli authorities, civil servants, policymakers, experts, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to discuss best practices and measures to combat antisemitism and other forms of hatred.

As part of its first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life adopted in October 2021, the EU committed to upgrade this forum to a High-level Seminar, with a focus on operational follow up. Today’s meeting was opened by Eli Cohen, Foreign Minister, Margaritis Schinas, European Commission Vice President for Promoting Our European Way of Life, and Karoline Edtstadler, Austrian Minister of European Affairs.  

The EU and Israel will continue to build on strong relations and close cooperation. They agreed to cooperate in expanding the digital pillar of the network of ‘Young European Ambassadors to promote Holocaust remembrance.’ building on the successful Israeli project ‘My Story is Your Story’. This will enable the EU and Israel to intensify their collaboration in promoting Holocaust remembrance and education, by bringing together Holocaust survivors and young people, and producing counter narratives on social media. The two sides also look forward to cooperating on a joint project on the history of European Jews during the interwar years, in close cooperation with Yad Vashem.

European Commission Vice-President for Promoting Our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, indicated in his introductory remarks:

“The fight against antisemitism is a top priority for the European Union and Israel is a key partner in this effort. The ultimate goal of our first-ever dedicated EU strategy is to ensure that Jews can go about their lives in line with their cultural and religious traditions, free from security concerns. Today’s meeting is an expression of our common determination to address antisemitism and Holocaust distortion and denial in the digital sphere with all the instruments we have: strong legislation such as the EU Digital Services Act to come into force on 25 August, an EU-wide network of trusted flaggers to counter antisemitic speech, and increased capacity of relevant authorities to prosecute hate speech online.”

IL MFA Eli Cohen stated: “The fight against antisemitism should continue ceaselessly as the era of social media brings new challenges. It is with great concern that we follow the constant increasing level of antisemitism both on and off-line.

The high-level dialogue held today in Jerusalem between Israel and the EU sends a clear message regarding the necessity of a broad international partnership in combating antisemitism in all its expressions and promoting Holocaust remembrance. We are called to intensify our efforts, form wider coalitions and update our combat strategy fighting antisemitism. This is a struggle we have no other way but winning.

We value the personal commitment and involvement of VP Schinas as well as the constant and ongoing effort by the European Commission's coordinator for combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Ms. Katharina von Schnurbein.

As antisemitism continues to raise its ugly and dangerous head, we need to encourage states, organisations and tech companies to adopt the IHRA definition and embrace tools it provides. There should be no compromise in the ongoing efforts to adopt the definition, after more than two millennia there should be no challenge to the definition or argument about what constitutes antisemitism.

Together, Israel and the European Commission will continue to engage with tech companies in order for them to actively join the struggle against antisemitism and implement the much needed tools to handle the massive amount of data and antisemitic content available on online platforms. This should be our renewed commitment as the struggle continues.”

Background:

The EU-Israel High-Level Seminar on combating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism is held regularly since 2007, taking place alternatingly in Brussels and in Jerusalem. It reflects the importance attributed by both the EU and Israel to the fight against antisemitism and other forms of hatred and serves as a major opportunity for dialogue. It has covered various issues such as countering antisemitic hate speech online, cyber hate, the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expression of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, data and trends on antisemitism and racism in the EU and in Israel, access to justice and effective redress against discrimination and hate crimes, prevention through education, training and Holocaust remembrance.

The first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life was adopted by the European Commission on 5 October 2021. Of the almost 100 actions to be implemented by 2030, 70 have been put in motion. These include initiatives in the area of addressing antisemitism online, data collection of incidents, security, fostering Jewish life, education, research, and Shoah remembrance. As part of the Strategy the EU committed to upgrade today’s meeting to a High-level Seminar, with a focus on operational follow up.

In addition, all EU Member States have committed to develop national action plans and/or strategies on antisemitism, to endorse and use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and to appoint national coordinators for combating racism and antisemitism. This will ensure that actions are taken at all levels and that it will trickle town to reach all European citizens.

In the Commission of President Ursula von der Leyen, the fight against antisemitism is led by Margaritis Schinas, European Commission Vice-President for Promoting Our European Way of Life. In 2015 the European Commission appointed Katharina von Schnurbein as its first EU Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.

To increase mutual understanding and knowledge of Israel among EU staff, the European Commission, in close cooperation with Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized in September 2022 a 5-day study visit for 10 members of EU staff to Israel.

EU Member States have committed to address antisemitism in the following unanimous decisions: 2022 ‘Council Conclusions on combating racism and antisemitism’, 2020 ‘Council Declaration on mainstreaming the fight against antisemitism across policy areas’ and 2018 ‘Council Declaration on the fight against antisemitism and the development of a common security approach to better protect Jewish communities and institutions in Europe.’

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More about the European Commission’s fight against antisemitism