Overview
Decades after the end of the Holocaust, antisemitism is worryingly on the rise in Europe and beyond. This represents a threat not only to Jewish communities and to Jewish life, but to an open and diverse society, to democracy and the European way of life.
Since 7 October 2023, Europe witnessed a significant rise in hate incidents and violence targeting Jewish people. The terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel and the conflicts in the Middle East has led to levels of antisemitism unprecedented since the founding of the European Union.
Antisemitism is incompatible with Europe’s core values. The Commission is determined to put an end to it.
What is antisemitism?
The non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism, developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), is an essential tool for the Commission’s work on combating antisemitism. Following the Commission’s encouragement, to this day all 27 EU Member States have adopted or endorsed the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.
Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
Examples of antisemitism under the working definition of the IHRA
Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.
Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:
- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
- Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
- Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
- Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
- Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
- Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
- Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.
Antisemitism in Europe today
Contemporary antisemitism occurs in many forms: old and new, from online hate speech to hate crimes and attacks on Jewish people, their properties and institutions, or as desecration of cemeteries and memorials.
For Jews to participate fully in European life, it is essential that they feel safe and secure. Yet, security is the key concern for the Jewish community.
Despite the long-standing presence of Jews in Europe, people have little knowledge of Jewish life and Judaism. Currently, Holocaust denial, distortion and trivialisation are increasing and are often used to feed hatred against Jewish people and to rewrite European and Jewish history.
EU activities to combat antisemitism
Information on the first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, as well as the national strategies of EU Member States
Learn about what the Commission is doing to prevent and counter antisemitism, both online and offline
The role and mandate of the European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism
Established to support the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life
How the European Union is collaborating with its partners around the world to prevent and combat antisemitism
Data and surveys on antisemitic hate crime, hate incidents, attitudes of the general population and the perspective of Jewish communities
Timeline
- 15 October 2024
The Council adopts a Declaration on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism.
- 14 October 2024
The Commission adopts the first progress report on the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
- 4 March 2022
The Council adopts conclusions on combating racism and antisemitism in EU Member States.
- 14-15 December 2021
The first meeting of the 'Working group on the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life' takes place. This working group is formed following the Commission's decision to formalise the ad hoc 'Working group on combating antisemitism' into a permanent structure.
- 5 October 2021
The Commission adopts the first-ever EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021 – 2030).
- 2 December 2020
The Council approves a declaration on mainstreaming the fight against antisemitism across policy areas.
- 1 December 2020
The European Parliament calls for a motion for resolution on a European Charter of Remembrance of the Holocaust and the prevention of crimes against humanity in the digital age.
- 20 June 2019
The first meeting of the European Commission 'Working Group on combating antisemitism' takes place.
- 6 December 2018
The Council approves a declaration on the fight against antisemitism and the development of a common security approach to better protect Jewish communities and institutions in Europe.
- 1 June 2017
The European Parliament adopts a first-ever resolution solely on combating antisemitism, calling on Member States to appoint national coordinators and to adopt and apply the working definition of antisemitism employed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
- 14 June 2016
The EU High Level Group on combating racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance is launched. The High Level Group is a platform to support EU and national efforts in ensuring effective implementation of relevant rules and in setting up effective policies to prevent and combat hate crime and hate speech, including with an antisemitic bias.
- December 2015
The position of European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism is established.
- 27 January 2005
The European Parliament adopts a resolution on remembrance of the Holocaust, antisemitism and racism, calling on Member States to condemn all acts and expressions of antisemitism of whatever kind and encouraging Holocaust remembrance, including by making 27 January European Holocaust Memorial Day across the whole of the EU.
- 19 February 2004
The Commission organises 'A seminar on Europe - against anti-Semitism, For a Union of Diversity'.
Legal framework
The EU’s comprehensive legislative framework ensures protection of Jewish people from violence, discrimination and expressions of hostility motivated by antisemitism. It also criminalises Holocaust denial and distortion across Europe.
Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are defined as such by law and in those cases they need to be prosecuted. At EU level, the Framework Decision on combating certain forms of expressions of racism and xenophobia provides a strong legal framework to combat antisemitic hate crimes and hate speech.
The Commission continues to encourage the Member States to prosecute antisemitic hate crimes and hate speech in the light of these common legal provisions. We are equally determined to uphold freedom of expression; emphasising the need to exercise due diligence when identifying antisemitic incidents, to ensure that freedom of expression is protected for all.
Primary law
- Treaty on European Union (Article 2)
- Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Articles 10 and 19)
- Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Articles 1, 3 and 21)
Secondary law
- Framework Decision - Combats certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, including public condoning, gross trivialisation or denial of the Holocaust.
- Race Equality Directive - Implements the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin.
- Employment Equality Directive - Prohibits discrimination based on religion or belief in employment and occupation, whether in the public and private sectors, or public bodies.
- Victim-Rights Directive - Establishes minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, including hate crime victims.
Funding
As part of the 2021-2030 EU Strategy, the Commission has significantly increased funding opportunities in support of fighting antisemitism, fostering Jewish life, and Holocaust remembrance and education.
Targeted actions will be pursued through a wide variety of EU funding programmes.
Find out more about how the EU Strategy is funded
Current funding opportunities
We encourage interested parties to subscribe to our newsletter in order to receive news about upcoming funding opportunities.