Conference of European Rabbis launch seven point manifesto to combat antisemitism in the EU
The manifesto, titled 'A Call to End the Violent Hatred,' was presented at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU before a gathering of politicians, policymakers, and journalists.
The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) introduced a seven-point manifesto in Brussels, urging European governments to tackle the surge in antisemitism beyond physical security. Titled "A Call to End the Violent Hatred," the document was presented to EU officials alongside politicians, policymakers, and journalists. CER President Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt cautioned against viewing Jewish institutions as perpetually fortified. He emphasized the need for Jewish communities to thrive openly, safely, and with dignity.
The manifesto highlights the rising violence, citing incidents like the arson of Hatzola ambulances in London, an attack on a synagogue in Liège, a torched car in Antwerp, a targeted Jewish school in Amsterdam, a fatal shooting in Manchester, and a stabbing spree in Golders Green. It also notes the persistence of hate marches in European capitals over the past three years, with EU security services linking Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to proxy attacks against Jewish citizens.
The seven proposals in the manifesto aim to combat these threats. The first proposal suggests training and certifying religious leaders, mandating language proficiency and understanding of democratic rights for foreign clergy. Institutions must implement training on religious freedom and Holocaust remembrance and have the power to revoke visas, licenses, or permits from incitement-prone clerics.
The second proposal targets extremist funding, calling for transparent registers of foreign donations, thorough investigations into linked extremist states or organizations, removal of charitable status from antisemitic promotion bodies, and freezing of hate-related funds. The third proposal calls for external audits of religious institutions, inspection of educational materials and staff, coordination between law enforcement and regulatory bodies, and closure of institutions promoting violence or hatred.
The fourth proposal establishes a trained community safeguarding officer in every religious institution to monitor hate incidents, report concerns, liaise with authorities, and integrate safeguarding into daily life. The fifth proposal tackles the digital space, urging education about extremist content on online platforms and expanding the EU Digital Services Act to strictly regulate incitement, with technology companies required to remove incitement promptly and enhance cooperation between governments and platforms.
The sixth proposal demands zero tolerance for hate on the streets, emphasizing the prosecution of individuals inciting violence, holding event organizers accountable for persistent incitement, and banning organizations glorifying terrorism. The seventh proposal establishes a European Register of Responsible Institutions to build trust between communities and society, recognizing congregations and organizations that adhere to these standards and promoting best practices across faith communities.
The manifesto concludes with a warning to policymakers about the inability to protect Jewish citizens from violent hatred, stating that such a failure undermines human dignity, the rule of law, democracy, and freedom.
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