Media

Topic

Antisemitism

Combating Antisemitism and all Forms of Bigotry.

Within living memory of the Holocaust, the remnants of Europe’s Jewish communities have endured a steep rise in anti-Semitism. Since 2012 alone, at least 14 people have been killed in anti-Jewish violence in the EU. The numbers of European Jews emigrating to Israel or the United States has also increased significantly.

 

AJC Strategy Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism

The AJC Transatlantic Institute, together with AJC offices in Berlin, Paris, Rome and Warsaw, works together with EU officials, policy makers and civil society to expose and combat anti-Semitism. In 2015 the AJC Transatlantic Institute hosted in Brussels the ground-breaking conference “A Defining Moment for Europe,” where it presented an action plan for European governments to address the intensifying crisis of anti-Semitism.

⇨ Learn more about this event

 

Identifying Anti-Semitism – The Working Definition of Anti-Semitism

In order to effectively confront anti-Semitism, we must first define it. In June 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which includes 25 of the EU’s 28 Member States, adopted the so-called Working Definition of Anti-Semitism. That definition crucially encompasses contemporary forms of anti-Semitism, such as the demonization of Israel and holding all Jews responsible for Israel’s actions. The AJC Transatlantic Institute has consistently called for the EU and its Member States to officially adopt this definition as well. In a first step, the European Parliament in May 2017 did so and urged member states to follow suit.

⇨ Learn more about we're doing to promote the Working Definition of Anti-Semitism

Related events

January 24, 2024

AJC, Partner Organizations Honor Holocaust Remembrance Day

On Wednesday, January 24 AJC Transatlantic Institute, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Israeli Mission to the EU, organized its annual Holocaust Remembrance event under the patronage of the German state of Hesse. This year’s event featured a keynote speech from Dani Dayan, Director of Yad Vashem, and a panel discussion between TAI’s Daniel Schwammenthal, EU Commission Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life Katharina von Schnurbein, and Yohan Benziri, World Jewish Congress Executive Board Member. All speakers emphasized the need to not only remember the past, but to also combat the current explosion of antisemitism.
January 28, 2020

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2020

The AJC Transatlantic Institute partnered with the Mission of Israel to the EU and NATO, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and B’nai B’rith International to commemorate the Holocaust. As part of an “Intergenerational Conversation,” Belgian Holocaust survivor Baron Julien Klener and British Jewish youth activist Hannah Rose shared their very personal experiences about the past and present. Commission Vice President Margaritas Schinas, the Israeli and German ambassadors, and AJC CEO David Harris also addressed the 150 guests who were invited to view artwork of Holocaust survivors made available by Yad Vashem.
February 21, 2019

The Rise of Anti-Zonism: Countering the Threat to Jewish Life in Europe

Watch the highlights of the breakfast discussion "The Rise of Anti-Zionism: Countering the Threat to Jewish Life in Europe” the AJC Transatlantic Institute co-organized at the European Parliament with MEPs Lukas Mandl (EPP), Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D), and Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE).

Media

26/01/2016

Remarks: TAI Director Daniel Schwammenthal addresses Members of the European Parliament on Holocaust Remembrance Day

On the eve of the 2016 International Holocaust Remembrance Day, TAI Director Daniel Schwammenthal spoke at MEP Anna Fotyga's conference "And the World Remained Silent...In Memory of Holocaust Victims and People Who Rescued Jews":

...

11/11/2015

European Commission Labeling Guidelines

Brussels - 11 November 2015 - The AJC Transatlantic Institute today criticized as counterproductive the EU decision to mandate labeling of Israeli goods produced beyond the Green Line. 

"As advocates of a negotiated two-state solution to the...

01/10/2015

AJC Statement ahead of the European Commission's first Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights

Brussels - 1 October 2015 - The American Jewish Committee believes the success of the European Commission’s first Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights will depend on transforming words into concrete and pragmatic steps to combat anti-Semitism. ...

03/09/2015

AJC Transatlantic Institute Appalled by Apparent Anti-Semitic Attack by EU Official

3 September 2015 - Brussels - The AJC Transatlantic Institute is appalled by what appears to be a brutal anti-Semitic assault by a European Union official against another EU official in Brussels on July 16.

According to media reports, Belgian...

29/06/2015

AJC Transatlantic Institute Welcomes European Parliament Hearing on Anti-Semitism

29 June 2015 – Brussels – The AJC Transatlantic Institute welcomes that the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee today held a hearing on rising anti-Semitism in Europe.
09/06/2015

AJC Global Forum: Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine

At the AJC Global Forum in Washington, D.C., AJC Executive Director David Harris introduced H.E. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the Prime Minister of Ukraine. Prime Minister Yatsenyuk delivered a major address to over 2,000 attendees from 70 countries.

09/06/2015

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov addresses the AJC Global Forum

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov spoke at the AJC Global Forum about lessons from the Holocaust, the importance of combating anti-Semitism, and his nation's support for the State of Israel.

26/05/2015

On My Mind: European Body Bags

By Kenneth Bandler, AJC Director of Media Relations

Jerusalem Post

25 May 2015

How many body bags must be filled with murdered Jews before European leaders grasp...

05/05/2015

Jan Jambon addresses AJC's Strategy Conference on Anti-Semitism

Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security and the Interior of Belgium, at the AJC's Strategy Conference on Combat Anti-Semitism.

05/05/2015

AJC Strategy Conference: Call to Action by AJC's David Harris

Mr. David Harris, AJC's Executive Director, addresses the audience at the Strategy Conference to combat anti-Semitism.

 

Download AJC's Call to Action here: ...