BRUSSELS – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) joined dozens of major Jewish organizations and Jewish communities from across Europe and beyond in signing a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, expressing strong support for European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life Katharina von Schnurbein, following “recent unfounded and pernicious criticism.”
The letter states: “Over the past decade, Ms. von Schnurbein has worked tirelessly and with great integrity to strengthen European policies and initiatives that protect Jewish communities and ensure that Jewish life can flourish across our continent. Her mandate has always been grounded in European values, democratic principles and the urgent need to defend the Jewish community against hatred and discrimination.”
The letter continues, “In all her work she has listened to the lived realities of Jewish communities, including the tsunami of Israel-related antisemitism that has swept throughout Europe and the world since Oct. 7, 2023, which she has been steadfast in addressing. It is therefore deeply troubling to see her accused of ‘bias’ simply because she refuses to trivialize or ignore threats against Jews. To attack her for defending Jewish dignity and security is, in effect, to challenge the European Union’s own credibility in combating antisemitism.”
The WJC and Ms. von Schnurbein have long maintained a constructive working relationship, built on a shared commitment to the fight against antisemitism and the strengthening of Jewish communities.
In this role, Ms. von Schnurbein also co-chairs the WJC-initiated Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) Forum, an independent multilateral platform convening government officials, international organizations, Jewish community representatives, and policy experts to share best practices, coordinate strategies and enhance global cooperation against antisemitism.
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