BRUSSELS —Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January 2019, new data on antisemitism in the European Union will be presented by the European Commission on Tuesday.
European Commissioner or Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality,Vera Jourova, together with the Director of the Jewish Museum of Belgium, Pascale Flek Alhadeff, will present the results of the Eurobarometer survey on the perceptions of Antisemitism among the general public in the 28 EU countries. The survey was carried out among 27,643 respondents across Europe.
The EU Commissioner is expected to take stock of recent policy developments and share her thoughts on future initiatives to counter Antisemitism ‘’to ensure that the Council declaration on Antisemitism of 6 December 2018, will not remain an empty shell.’’
Last November, the European Commission presented the results of a survey by European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on the prceptions of Antisemitism among European Jews, which pointed to rising levels of antisemitism on the continent.
The report showed that about 90% of respondents feel that antisemitism is growing in their country,around 90% also feel it is particularly problematic online, some 70% cite public spaces, the media and politics as common sources of antisemitism and almost 30% have been harassed, with those being visibly Jewish most affected.
It also showed that antisemitism appears to be so deep-rooted in society that regular harassment has become part of normal everyday life. Almost 80% do not report serious incidents to the police or any other body. Often this is because they feel nothing will change.
Over a third avoid taking part in Jewish events or visiting Jewish sites because they fear for their safety and feel insecure. 38% have considered emigrating because they no longer feel safe as Jews in the country where they live.
Next month, Romania, the country which currently chairs the European Council, will organize in the European Parliament a high-level event ”The fight against antisemitism: a common approach to better protect Jewish communities in Europe- from policy to action”.
The event, which will be chaired by Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, ”aims at underlining the need for a follow-up to the EU Council declaration (of 6 December) on the fight against antisemitism and the development of a common security approach to better protect Jewish communities and institutions in Europe.”
