“The Jewish people have always been deeply concerned about animal welfare… People need to be more aware of these issues in general,” said Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator for the fight against antisemitism and the promotion of Jewish life.

Education is the key to further protecting religious practices in Europe, said Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission’s Coordinator in the fight against anti-Semitism and the promotion of Jewish life,  as she spoke at the General Convention of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) in Munich.

Rabbis from 43 countries and leading communities across Europe and the world gathered to discuss pressing issues.

Among the main topics discussed during the first day of the conference on Monday was the question: ‘’Is religious life in Europe on the brink of collapse?’’ and how to protect Jewish religious practices throughout the continent in the wake of the adoption of a legislation in various European countries banning shechita, the Jewish slaughter of animals, and brit mila, the Jewish circumcision of males.

About ritual slaughter, von Schnurbein insisted on the fact that “the Jewish people have always been deeply concerned about animal welfare… People need to be more aware of these issues in general.”

Addressing the conference via video link, Vice President of the European Parliament Nicola Beer, who is also the secial envoy for the fight against religious discrimination, including anti-Semitism, stated that “it is essential to encourage and protect Jewish life in Europe.”

Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the United Nations Human Rights Office (UNHRO) explained that freedom of religion cannot be limited to belief, but that freedom must also include rituals and practices.

Daniel Höltgen, special representative of the Council of Europe in the fight against anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim acts and other forms of religious intolerance and hate crimes, spoke of how Europe is “becoming an increasingly secular environment of , ignorance and ideology against religious. ‘’This must be combated to allow for an active Jewish life,” he said.