Moshe Kantor calls on European Parliament to fight anti-Semitism

The president of the European Parliament (EP), Hans-Gert Pöttering, has voiced support for the idea of a resolution strongly condemning the wave of anti-Semitic incidents in Europe and is in favor of organizing an interfaith and intercultural symposium on tolerance in Europe. However, he said it was up to the main political groups of the EP to draft a text. He also told the president of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), Moshe Kantor, during a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels, that "if there is no peace in the Middle East we will continue to have difficult times".

"We need a solution there," Pöttering said, adding that "The priority is a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. If we miss this opportunity we will have tough times with the Arab world."

Kantor raised concerns about the dramatic increase of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in Europe, especially in the wake of the economic crisis. "The situation in Europe is dangerous again, not only for Jews, but for all Europeans," he said. "Forty per cent of Europeans consider Jews and foreigners to be responsible for this crisis," Kantor told the EU parliament president.

Kantor asked Pöttering that the European Parliament pass a resolution on this topic during its next session and consider holding a symposium on tolerance with the participation of experts, political and religious leaders and NGO's. "Europe is not a tolerant continent anymore because of the economic crisis," he said.

Kantor and the delegation of the EJC also met in Brussels with European Commission vice-president Jacques Barrot.