European leaders pledge to fight anti-Semitism

15 October 2009

	Left to right: Israeli Minister of National  Infrastructure, Uzi Landau; European  Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and  Security, Jacques Barrot; President of the  European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek;  President of the European Commission,  José Manuel Barroso; EJC President Moshe  Kantor; EJC Secretary-General Serge  Cwajgenbaum; head of EJC Brussels  office, Raya Kalanova.

The leaders of the European Union institutions have vowed to fight anti-Semitism and all other forms of racism and xenophobia and to promote European values of tolerance, freedom and human rights. Speaking at the opening of the new European Jewish Congress (EJC) office in Brussels, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "We must firmly reject all attempts to rewrite history or to deny the dignity of fellow human beings. We must condemn all forms of intolerance, racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism."

Emphasizing the need to be "vigilant," he reminded that a few weeks ago Europe solemnly commemorated the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War "to pay tribute to those who fought for freedom and to honor the memory of millions of victims of barbarism." Barroso also paid tribute to the memory of Marek Edelman, the last survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, who had died last week. "The European Union represents the victory of law over arms, solidarity over nationalism and justice over all forms of oppression," Barroso said, adding that the Jewish communities of Europe had played a full part in building Europe "because they have been able to bring their ideal of justice and peace to the European project."

Jerzy Buzek, the president of the European Parliament, underlined his "personal commitment" to the promotion of tolerance and reconciliation, as well as to the combat against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination based on race or religion. He said Europe addresses these threats to our democratic values by taking positive steps to encourage intercultural dialogue and, in particular, dialogue with different religions and faiths.

Israel’s minister for national infrastructure, Uzi Landau, told guests in Brussels that Israel will take all necessary measures to defend itself against the Iranian threat. He also criticized that many European governments had not yet realized the danger posed by Iran.