The World Jewish Congress honored Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová in New York on Wednesday with a reception celebrating her extensive efforts to combat antisemitism and support Jewish life across the European Union.
The gathering of diplomats and Jewish community leaders, which took place at the Loews Regency on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, featured remarks from Vice President Jourová, WJC Executive Vice President Maram Stern and U.S. Federal Claims Court Judge Matthew H. Solomson.
Stern expressed heartfelt appreciation to Vice President Jourová for her unwavering commitment to the Jewish people, lauding her as "a steadfast ally of the Jewish people and in the fight against antisemitism.”
Addressing Jourová directly, Stern concluded his remarks by saying, "Thank you for ensuring the security of our communities in Europe and championing their heritage and cultural expression. Your support in ensuring that Jews can openly express their identity without fear is truly admirable.”
Vice President Jourová, reaffirming the critical need to support Europe’s Jewish communities, especially after the horrors of the October 7th terrorist attack in times of great political polarization, said, “Such times are an opportunity for strengthened solidarity and mutual respect. We must protect the security and safety of Jewish communities in Europe and worldwide. No one should have to hide their identity because they feel threatened.”
“We continue to be committed to remember, teach and research the Holocaust,” said Vice President Jourová, who voiced the need for everyone to be vocal against all forms of antisemitism. “Holocaust denial, distortion and trivialization fuels antisemitism and hatred and must be countered.”
Reflecting on Vice President Jourová, Jakub Kulhánek, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nation, praised the Vice President for being a "relentless advocate against antisemitism, challenging it in every manifestation with unwavering determination."
The evening also offered Federal Claims Court Judge Matthew H. Solomson, who introduced Vice President Jourová, an opportunity to reflect on his participation in a WJC-organized delegation of judges to Israel. Reflecting on his recent visit to Israel and the horrific terrorist attack of October 7th, Solomson said, “What we witnessed — the IDF showed us the extensive unedited footage of the 10/7 attacks — was like something straight of out the pogroms of Old Europe. The killing, rape, and torture of unarmed civilians in their homes, their bedrooms, their pajamas. In some sense it was worse than Holocaust footage.”
“As a judge of this country, and given my role, I’m not taking a position – at least not a public one – on any of those issues, but make no mistake and this is not political: singling out Israel for special condemnation is anti-Jewish,” said Solomson. “Now, more than ever, it is important for us to reflect on and to commit ourselves to supporting organizations and people who are willing to stand up to hate.”
Throughout her tenure as Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová has been a leader in the fight against antisemitism and played a pivotal role in ensuring Jewish communities across Europe are protected and empowered. Among her notable efforts and milestones in support of the Jewish community during her tenure include the appointment of Katharina von Schnurbein as the first European Commission Coordinator for combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in 2015, the adoption of the EU strategy to combat antisemitism and foster Jewish life in 2021 and her steadfast support of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
