Start time 10:00 (New York) / 16:00 (Geneva) / 17:00 (Jerusalem)
GENEVA – On the sidelines of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) organized a side event to examine evidence-based research to address issues of antisemitism and the surge of hate crimes.
The event featured the research of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (FRA) and the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), and brought together experts and delegates for a panel discussion spotlighting good practices as both national and UNHRC representatives in combating hate.
In his opening remarks, Leon Saltiel, director of diplomacy and representative at the UN in Geneva of the World Jewish Congress, warned of the growing global surge in antisemitism and its broader implications for democracy, stressing that “societies that become unsafe for Jews will not remain safe for other minorities or for wider democratic freedoms.” He underscored that this threat is being accelerated by AI-driven content and social media, which amplify antisemitic conspiracy theories and hate speech at an unprecedented scale.
Opening the presentations via virtual participation, Elliot Steinberg, Adviser on Combating Antisemitism, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODHIR), outlined key findings from OSCE/ODIHR’s annual hate crime report, noting that antisemitism increasingly manifests in everyday public spaces, schools and universities, and online, citing 2,000 antisemitic incidents have been documented by civil society submissions in the past year alone. He noted that while only 19 states officially record antisemitic hate crimes as a distinct category, civil society data reveals far higher levels, pointing to widespread underreporting and under-recording.
Also addressing the audience via video, Eva-Esther Sobotka, Coordinator on countering antisemitism, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), focused on the structural challenges in how antisemitism is tracked and addressed across the EU, emphasizing that gaps in data collection and recognition continue to obscure its true scale. Citing FRA findings showing that 96% of Jewish respondents reported experiencing antisemitism, she highlighted how underreporting, low trust in authorities, and inconsistent monitoring systems hinder effective responses, even as incidents have surged in recent years.
At the panel discussion that followed,
- Nikola Gillhoff, Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, Permanent Mission of Germany, warned of a severe deterioration in the security of Jewish life in Germany, citing nearly 9,800 antisemitic incidents, or approximately 24 per day. She reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism as demonstrated by the national strategy against antisemitism and for Jewish life that is enforced in close partnership with European and international partners.
- Gabriela Boiteux Pilna, Deputy Chief of Mission, Permanent Mission of Czechia, highlighted her country’s trilateral initiative with Austria and Slovakia to place antisemitism firmly on the agenda of the UN Human Rights Council through an annual joint statement, first launched in 2020. She noted that the initiative has grown steadily, attracting up to 62 co sponsoring states from all regions, and reaffirmed Czechia’s commitment to translating these multilateral commitments into measurable action against rising antisemitism, particularly online.
- Valeria Gonzalez Posse, Deputy Chief of Mission, Permanent Mission of Argentina, highlighted her country’s presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), emphasizing its theme of “expanding the frontiers of remembrance” as a global effort to strengthen Holocaust education, research, and international cooperation. She underscored that combating antisemitism requires robust tools like the IHRA working definition alongside data‑driven policymaking, reaffirming Argentina’s commitment to prevention through memory, education, and human rights.
- Michael Wiener, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR, noted that the event coincided with the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, using the occasion to underscore the continued prevalence of antisemitism both online and offline. He underscored that persistent gaps in reporting and data collection continue to hinder effective policymaking and called for stronger, human rights based approaches to collecting reliable, disaggregated data on hate speech and hate crimes.
Ending the panel, Robin Sclafani, Executive Director, CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, presented the NOA National Report Cards, an EU‑funded initiative developed in partnership with the WJC and other organizations, which benchmarks government progress in combating antisemitism across 11 policy areas. She highlighted that while many countries have strong policy frameworks, implementation remains uneven, coordination is limited, and greater focus is needed on monitoring, inclusion, and the visibility of contemporary Jewish life.
The event underscored the World Jewish Congress’s central role in convening governments, international organizations, and civil society to address antisemitism through evidence‑based dialogue and coordinated action. By bringing together global partners and amplifying data‑driven solutions, the WJC continues to serve as a key platform for advancing international cooperation, strengthening policy responses, and safeguarding Jewish communities worldwide.
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