BRUSSELS—‘’Jewish people should never again have to ask themselves whether they or their children have a future in the European Union,’’ declared Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President and Commissioner Vera Jourova, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the ‘Kristallnacht’ (Night of Broken Glass).
Kristallnacht, literally, “Night of Crystal,” is often referred to as the “Night of Broken Glass,” refers to the wave of violent anti-Jewish pogroms which took place on November 9 and 10, 1938. This wave of violence took place throughout Germany, annexed Austria, and in areas of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia occupied by German troop. Synagogues, homes, and Jewish-owned businesses plundered and destroyed during the violence.
Within a day, 91 Jews had been murdered, and between 20,000 and 30,000 arrested and sent to concentration camps.
In their statement, Timmermans and Jourova said : ‘’They should never have to question whether the authorities will stand on their side to guarantee their safety.’’
They added : ‘’Nobody should ever be afraid to go to a synagogue or wear a kippah in the European Union. Today, as every day, the European Commission stands firm against all forms of Antisemitism. We will continue to relentlessly fight prejudice and stereotypes in Europe, whomever it regards, and we will always defend people’s right to practise their religion – whichever it is – freely and without fear.’’
The European Commission has a range of actions to combat antisemitism, such as monitoring how European legislation combating anti-Semitism is implemented, and guiding Member States on how to tackle antisemitic hate crime and hate speech.
In 2015, First-Vice President Timmermans and Commissioner Jourová appointed a Commission Coordinator on combating Antisemitism, Katharina von Schnurbein, to liaise with Jewish communities and strengthen the collaboration with international organisations, Member States’ authorities and NGOs.
On Friday, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is to publish data from Member States on antisemitic incidents.
It shows that the recording of such incidents is not always effective or comparable. This contributes to the under-reporting of the extent, nature and characteristics of Antisemitism that occurs in the EU today.
On 10 December, the FRA will present the results of a large survey on the experience and perception of the Jewish community of anti-Semitism in 13 countries in the EU.
The current Austrian EU presidency is to publish before the end of the year a declaration on anti-Semitism and is keen to place security of Jewish premises high on the EU agenda.
The European Commission will hold its annual training session on the fight against anti-Semitism for Commission staff.