Antisemitism is escalating: What is the Commission doing? – MEP question to the EU Commission

Question for written answer  E-001368/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Alice Teodorescu Måwe (PPE)

On 11 July 2024, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights published a new report[1] on the situation of Jewish people in the EU. The figures are alarming: almost all the European Jews surveyed (96%) had encountered antisemitism in the previous 12 months, and most (74%) had encountered it both online and offline. As many as 4% of respondents reported experiencing antisemitic physical attacks in the 12 months prior to the survey; the figure for 2018 was 2%, by comparison, meaning that the rate had doubled. The survey figures predate the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. The report states that security for Jews and around Jewish buildings was a serious problem well before the 7 October attack, but that it is now regarded as acute.

In the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030) the Commission commits to preventing and combating all forms of antisemitism. Therefore:

1. What specifically is the Commission doing to combat the escalating antisemitism which, over the past year, has affected almost all the Jewish people surveyed in the EU?
2. Is the Commission planning to present new measures in the light of the new figures?
3. Does the Commission consider that the 2021-2030 strategy is insufficient and needs to be updated before 2030?

Submitted: 17.7.2024

[1] https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2024/experiences-and-perceptions-antisemitism-third-survey

Last updated: 23 July 2024

The Commission condemns in the strongest possible terms all forms and manifestations of antisemitism and is determined to fight Jew-hatred. This goes against everything that Europe stands for and, in these difficult times, the Commission stands by the European Jewish communities.

Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas of 7 October 2023, the Commission has reacted decisively and immediately accelerated the implementation of the EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life[1].

The Commission will publish a first progress report on the implementation of its EU Antisemitism Strategy in autumn 2024. On 6 December 2023, the Commission also presented the Joint Communication ‘No Place for Hate: A Europe United against Hatred’[2] to counter polarisation in society, which includes targeted measures to strengthen the security of Jewish communities, tackle online antisemitism and prevent antisemitism through education.

The Commission will continue, in close cooperation with Member States and relying on data-based evidence such as the 3rd survey published by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in July 2024[3], to take decisive action to curb the rise of antisemitism and ensure a future for Jews in Europe and beyond.

[1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/racism-and-xenophobia/combating-antisemitism/eu-strategy-combating-antisemitism-and-fostering-jewish-life-2021-2030/about-eu-strategy_en

[2] https://commission.europa.eu/document/c60c451c-ccd2-406a-be3a-ef65123f2bb6_en

[3] https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2024/experiences-and-perceptions-antisemitism-third-survey

Last updated: 27 August 2024