Eight decades after the Shoah, anti-Semitism is on the rise again worldwide
In Germany alone, there were 5,164 anti-Semitic incidents last year, almost twice as many as in 2022.
At the same time, 8,873 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in the United States, an increase of 140 percent compared to the previous year. In both cases, the number of unreported cases remains much higher than expected. Reports of attacks on Israeli football fans in Amsterdam, arson attacks on synagogues such as those in Melbourne, and the murder of a rabbi in the United Arab Emirates show with horrific clarity the growing danger to Jews worldwide.
Countering Antisemitism: From National Strategies to Local Implementation
In this context, “Actions Matter – The Summit” took place in mid-December 2024. Under the motto “Countering Antisemitism: From National Strategies to Local Implementation”, the conference brought together 170 decision-makers, experts and representatives from the political sphere, scientifics, and prominent figures from the cultural fields and society from ten different countries. Several panels and workshops served this important interdisciplinary exchange of personal and professional experiences, and the development of an action plan entailing measures to combat anti-Semitism.
All speakers can be found in this overview.
"Actions Matter" Summit in Vienna
For the first time, ELNET cooperated with the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). This year’s top speakers included Katharina von Schnurbein, Anti-Semitism Commissioner of the European Commission, David Roet, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Austria, Dr. Felix Klein, Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Anti-Semitism, Yael Arad, President of the Israeli Olympic Committee, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Special Representative for Combating Anti-Semitism of the Israeli Ministry of Anti-Semitism, as well as Dr. Ariel Muzicant, President of the European Jewish Congress.
On the eve of the conference, Tomer Tzadik, survivor of the Nova Music Festival, addressed the guests of the conference. The Israeli ambassador to Austria, David Roet, welcomed the guests on the main day of the conference and emphasized that hatred of Jews should neither be ignored nor trivialized. Taking action against anti-Semitism is not a favor for those directly affected, but a service to the nation as a whole.
Measures
In response to this call, measures were discussed and further developed in four workshops to effectively counter hatred of Jews in various areas of public life. The previously published policy briefings on antisemitism in sports, at universities, in the arts and culture sector and in the gaming sector formed the basis of the discussions.
The approaches developed include improving the recording of anti-Semitic incidents and calling for better implementation of existing laws. In the digital sector, platforms are to be more strongly regulated and anti-Semitic and anti-democratic content is to be prosecuted and punished more consistently. As in 2023, the need for improved education and awareness-raising was emphasized in order to strengthen prevention efforts.
Since last year, ELNET has been offering its own campaign with the Question Wall, which provides information about Jewish life and Israel and invites dialogue.
To be Continued
The Action Plan, developed as part of this summit, contains concrete recommendations and actions to combat anti-Semitism and is intended to provide policymakers and social actors with further guidance in this common fight.
With Actions Matter, ELNET makes its own contribution to the fight against anti-Semitism, publishes its own policy briefings and networks actors from Europe and Israel within the framework of (virtual) round table formats as well as “The Summit” conference which is to take place again next time in Vienna.
Read the full Action Plan here: