At the Level Up! conference hosted this weekend by the European Youth Forum in Brussels, a delegation from the European Union of Jewish Students was subjected to harassment and felt unsafe.
During the closing plenary, which took place at the European Parliament, participants shouted, ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Ceasefire Now,’ and accused Israel of genocide, to which most people in the room clapped and chanted, including the moderators and various board and staff members of the European Youth Forum.
When EUJS President (and JDA member) Emma Hallali urged against importing the Israeli-Hamas war into the discussion about youth engagement in elections, she was accused of ‘hate speech’ and was labeled a ‘fascist Zionist.’
It is unacceptable that the sole Jewish delegation was ostracized and harassed with antisemitic insults. Labeling the EUJS president, who represents 36 national Jewish student member unions, as a ‘fascist Zionist’ is deeply antisemitic.
During the closing plenary, Elia Dray, Vice President of the European Youth Forum and member of the Nextgen Advisory Committee, took to the floor to implore the delegates in to engage in conversation with one another and to promote peace.
We must take this incident seriously to ensure that Jewish youth feel safe in the heart of Europe’s democracy and across the continent.
Click here to read the European Union of Jewish Students statement and click here for WJC NextGen's response.
