Amid alarming rises in antisemitic attacks in Europe, Jewish communities warn of urgent threat to security at Austrian Parliament conference

Brussels, September 11, 2024- The European Jewish Congress (EJC) strongly endorses the joint statement issued at the Austrian Parliament’s conference, addressing  the disturbing rise in antisemitism following October 7th as an affront to democracy and human rights, supported by parliamentarians and policymakers from across the world.

The conference, titled “Never Again? Democracy Cannot Tolerate Antisemitism,” organised at the initiative of Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, convened parliamentarians from 22 nations, including Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Amir Ohana, Members of the European Parliament, EU officials, and Jewish community leaders from around the world, to confront the escalating antisemitic threats with a united and decisive response.

The joint statement condemned the alarming surge in antisemitic violence, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and called for stringent oversight of online antisemitism and reinforced security for Jewish institutions. It also underscored the pressing need to address the growing antisemitic climate on university campuses.

A delegation of the European Jewish Congress, consisting of President Dr Ariel Muzicant, Director of European Affairs Ariella Woitchik, and the presidents of EJC-affiliated communities, took part in the conference and expressed their concerns amid the dramatic increase of antisemitism on the continent.

Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka opened the conference highlighting the commitment of the Austrian government to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish life amid its dramatic rise following the October 7th massacre in Israel, reinforcing the need to fight against radical Islamic terrorism both in Europe and around the world.

“As parliamentarians, it is our responsibility to broaden our understanding of these challenges and take decisive action to ensure the safety of Jewish communities worldwide. We must foster stronger connections between Jewish communities and their respective parliamentarians, as both face the corrosive threat that antisemitism poses to democracy,” said Mr Sobotka.

EJC President Dr Ariel Muzicant delivered one of the welcome speeches at the conference, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action to combat the alarming rise in antisemitism across Europe, which threatens not only Jewish communities but also the core values of democracy, human rights, and personal freedoms.

“These freedoms are the oxygen of European citizens, essential for them to live and thrive, particularly for Jewish communities. If democracy and human rights are not safeguarded in Europe, Jewish life will struggle to flourish. This threat is a greater concern for Jewish communities than antisemitism itself. If we want to maintain Jewish life in Europe, we need to act now,” emphasised Dr Muzicant.

Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG), highlighted in his speech the dramatic rise of antisemitic attacks in Austria and across Europe, as well as the threats to Austrian and European societies posed by extremism. He acknowledged the support of Austrian authorities and policymakers for both the Austrian Jewish community and Israel.

“Never has the threat against Jewish life been so imminent, so shockingly open and accepted, as it is now, whether from the radical left or Islamists. And let’s not forget the far right, which is destabilising liberal democracies,” warned Deutsch to the public.

CRIF President Yonathan Arfi and Dr Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, both EJC vice-presidents, delivered impactful reports on the situation of Jewish communities in their countries.

Among the speakers were President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Peter De Roover, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons Greg Fergus, MEP Assita Kanko, EU Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life Katharina von Schnurbein, and Executive Director of UN Watch Hillel Neuer, among others.