The the Working Group Against Antisemitism (WGAS), together with the European Jewish Congress (EJC) and B’nai B’rith International, and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), organised the event “Back to school! Same for antisemitism? ‘A Climate of Fear and Exclusion’ Report on Antisemitism at European Universities” in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Hosted by WGAS members MEPs Sabrina Repp (S&D, Germany) and Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, France), the event aimed to raise awareness of the surge of antisemitism on university campuses across Europe following the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attack, which profoundly challenged the safety, inclusion, and academic freedom of Jewish students and faculty, affecting entire university communities.
Participants were welcomed by Alina Bricman, Director of EU Affairs at B’nai B’rith International, and Shannon Seban, Director of European Affairs at the Combat Antisemitism Movement, who both stressed the urgency of addressing rising antisemitism on European campuses and the need for coordinated action to ensure that universities remain safe, inclusive, and respectful environments for all students.
In her opening remarks, MEP Sabrina Repp underlined the importance of convening the event, emphasising that the rise of antisemitism on university campuses across Europe is an urgent challenge undermining the continent’s foundational values. She cautioned that the spread of hate speech and the emergence of a hostile environment pose a grave threat to the very foundations of academic freedom and democracy, stressing that universities must be held accountable and urging academic leaders to act with courage.
After MEP Repp’s address, Alina Bricman presented the findings of a report by B’nai B’rith International, democ., and the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), entitled “A Climate of Fear and Exclusion: Antisemitism at European Universities.” The report documents the phenomenon across nine European countries, highlighting how higher education institutions have, in many cases, become breeding grounds for hostility towards Jewish students, with incidents leaving them feeling unsafe and isolated.
The conference continued with a global perspective from Professor Dr Cary Nelson, former President of the American Association of University Professors, who examined the report’s findings in an international context. He reflected on common trends observed across university campuses worldwide, including pro-Palestinian encampments, the prevalence of hateful rhetoric on social media, and the ways in which anti-Zionist discourse is expressed freely and without consequence in academia.
Professor Dr Joël Kotek of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Chairman of the Jonathas Institute outlined the situation on Belgian campuses, highlighting the challenges faced by both students and faculty. He spoke of harassment directed at Jewish individuals, the uncertainty and tension caused by such threats, and the apathy of some university authorities. Professor Kotek also warned of the infiltration of extremist organisations on campuses, which undermines academic freedom and creates an environment in which antisemitism goes largely unchallenged.
Speaking about the daily challenges faced by Jewish students in France, Yossef Murciano, President of the French Union of Jewish Students (UEJF), shared personal experiences and testimonies from students, illustrating the real impact of antisemitism on campus life. He highlighted the support provided by the Union in liaising with authorities and advocating for students’ rights, stressing the importance of ensuring that Jewish students feel protected, supported, and able to express pride in their heritage and identity without fear.
Reflecting on the matter, MEP Nathalie Loiseau expressed deep concern over the rise of antisemitism on university campuses across Europe, describing it as a collective failure and a reflection of institutional responsibility. She emphasised that intolerance in academia cannot be ignored and that widespread antisemitism is not merely an opinion but in many manifestations constitutes a crime, punishable by the state. She highlighted that denying Israel’s right to exist and the proliferation of antisemitic rhetoric on social media contribute to a climate of hostility and fear, calling for clear and decisive actions to confront hate and extremism on campuses.
As Chair of the Working Group Against Antisemitism (WGAS), MEP Alice Teodorescu Måwe (EPP, Sweden) emphasised the importance of organising the event, highlighting the urgent challenge posed by the rise of antisemitism. She stressed that combating antisemitism is not a responsibility that falls solely on Jewish communities but on society as a whole, warning that the normalisation of fear and the promotion of violence on campuses threaten to undermine European values, and calling on elected officials and institutions to take a clear and resolute stance against such hatred.
In her closing remarks, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, Katharina von Schnurbein, emphasised the critical role of education for Jews throughout history and how this is now threatened by a climate of fear and exclusion on university campuses, which is incompatible with democratic values. She highlighted the dangers posed by discrimination, Holocaust distortion, and the glorification of terrorism, warning that when Europe fails to protect its Jewish communities, it ultimately fails itself.
For her part, EJC Director of European Affairs Ariella Woitchik stressed the importance of commencing the parliamentary year with an event dedicated to this pressing issue. She highlighted that Jewish students must not live in fear and emphasized that authorities have a crucial role to play in standing firm against hatred and intimidation. Ensuring that students can freely express their identity is essential, as is the protection and preservation of Jewish life across Europe in this climate of hostility.