The Working Group Against Antisemitism (WGAS), together with the European Jewish Congress, which serves as the secretariat and a member of the advisory board of WGAS, and the EPP Group in the European Parliament, organised the high-level conference ‘European Democracies at a Crossroads: Battling Extremism, Islamist Terrorism, and Antisemitism’ in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Hosted by WGAS Vice-Chair MEP Lukas Mandl, the event aimed to raise awareness about the surge of political extremes, Islamism, and the growing hatred against Jews in Europe. It also provided an opportunity to discuss the mounting challenges faced by Member States in combating hate, intolerance, and divisive rhetoric in their societies, as well as the tools to tackle these scourges in order to safeguard our democracies and preserve our freedoms.
In his opening remarks, MEP Lukas Mandl highlighted that this was the first event of the Working Group Against Antisemitism (WGAS) in the new mandate. He emphasised that it comes at a time when European values are under threat from radical ideologies, leading to a rise in antisemitism across the continent. He stressed the political obligation of national governments and elected officials to combat hate and discrimination with zero tolerance, emphasising the need to confront these challenges within our societies, as they threaten the very foundation of our European identity.
The conference continued with a panel discussion moderated by EJC Director of European Affairs, Ariella Woitchik, featuring the President of the Conference of Imams of France and Imam of the Drancy Mosque, Hassen Chalghoumi; City Council Member of Rosny-sous-Bois in charge of promoting laïcité and combating discrimination, Shannon Seban; and Belgian Senator and Secretary-General of the Jonathas Institute, Viviane Teitelbaum.
Imam Chalghoumi highlighted his concern that the war against Hamas is influencing the minds of European youth, as hatred has multiplied both online and offline, being exploited by extremist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood. These groups are taking advantage of the conflict to win over public opinion on the continent. He stated that Europe and humanity were not up to the task after the 7th of October massacre, as a silent majority remained idle despite witnessing the atrocity. He emphasised that his priority is to ensure peaceful coexistence and combat Islamism to preserve social peace and democracy. He also stressed the fundamental role of education, not only in schools but also within families.
For her part, City Council Member Shannon Seban explained the situation in France, where the rise of extremism and fundamentalism has led to a concerning increase in antisemitism, often disguised under the mantle of “anti-Zionism.” She outlined her work in her constituency, highlighting the challenges and opportunities present within its diverse demographic, and emphasised the importance of interfaith dialogue and education to combat discrimination and violence in French society. Seban stressed the need for tolerance, coexistence, and raising awareness among the general public about the dangers of Jewish hatred, which she described as an affront to all of us. She expressed concern that some political parties are aligning with Islamism for political gains, undermining the very essence of the French Republic.
Senator Teitelbaum expressed her concerns about the growing polarisation and division within European societies, particularly in Belgium. She highlighted the surge in antisemitism in the country, which has instilled fear and anxiety within the Belgian Jewish community, exacerbated by the indifference of national authorities towards the increasing influence of fundamentalism and Islamist ideology. She pointed out that some political parties in Belgium exploit the situation in the Middle East to further their agendas, while the rising Islamisation poses a direct threat to European values and freedoms, undermining the very fabric of society.
In her closing remarks, European Commission Coordinator on fighting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein, highlighted the role of the Working Group Against Antisemitism (WGAS) and expressed her gratitude at being part of its first event, hoping for continued progress in the next mandate. She stated that since the 7th of October, the rise in antisemitism has become increasingly concerning, with new and dangerous forms of radicalisation emerging. She emphasised that while significant progress had been made with 24 EU countries adopting strategies, more action is needed, particularly in online legislation and efforts to combat radicalisation, to prevent further harm to Jewish communities and society at large.