AJC Urges EU Nations to Act on Dismaying New Anti-Semitism Report
The American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global Jewish advocacy organization, is urging concerted initiatives by European governments to confront rising anti-Semitism, following the release of deeply troubling findings from an EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) survey of Jews across Europe. The survey results were announced Monday in Brussels by European Union First Vice President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner for Justice Věra Jourová.
“The FRA conclusion that anti-Semitism has become ‘normalized’ across the EU is simply unacceptable,” said AJC CEO David Harris, who met with European officials in Brussels ahead of the report’s release, and who began alerting European leaders to the resurgent wave of anti-Semitism as early as 2001. “Each European country surveyed by the FRA, indeed all EU members states, have a moral responsibility to study the report’s unique, valuable data — and step up efforts to confront the anti-Semitism cancer that threatens not only Jews, but, no less, the democratic fabric of European societies.”
This is the second EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) survey on discrimination and hate crimes against Jews in the EU. The 2012 FRA survey, the first of its kind, was a wake-up call to the pervasive problem of anti-Semitism in Europe.
The 2018 report found that 54 percent of those surveyed positively assess their national governments’ efforts to ensure the security needs of the Jewish community. However, a decisive majority, 70 percent, believe that their governments do not effectively combat anti-Semitism.
The FRA polled 16,500 Jews in 12 EU member states – Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The 2012 report covered only eight countries.
The 2018 survey paints a distressing picture:
■ 89% say anti-Semitism has increased in their country over the past five years
■ 85% say anti-Semitism is a serious problem
■ 89% say anti-Semitism is “most problematic” on the internet and social media
■ 28% experienced some form of anti-Semitic harassment in the last year.
■ 34% avoid visiting Jewish events or sites
■ 38% have considered emigrating because they no longer feel safe as Jews in the country where they live
■ 52% say they do not report anti-Semitic attacks because, in their view, nothing will change
Notably, those who say anti-Semitism is “a very big” or “a fairly big” problem rose significantly in the UK from 48% in 2012 to 75% in 2018, in Germany from 62% to 85%, and in Sweden from 60% to 82%.
French Jews, the largest community in Europe, have the highest level of concern at 95%, followed by Belgian Jews at 86%. Danish Jews ranked 12th among the 12 countries studied in their level of concern.
In 2015, AJC convened in Brussels “A Defining Moment for Europe,” a strategy conference on combating anti-Semitism. More than 20 EU countries were represented by diplomats and other officials. The eight-point Call to Action adopted at the groundbreaking conference was updated in June 2018.
“The FRA reports provide a unique and dismaying perspective,” said Harris. “European leaders, who laudably adopted a declaration in Brussels last week to step-up the fight against anti-Semitism, must realize that they have not been keeping pace with the growing problem. What’s needed now is enhanced, sustained action on many fronts to ensure that European Jews have a safe and secure future — and that Europe fulfills its noble commitment to the protection of human dignity for all of its citizens.” — From American Jewish Committee
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Schusterman Foundation underwrites Wine on the Vine Project in Israel
The Israel Innovation Fund (TIIF) announced Monday a generous new grant from the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation to support its flagship program Wine on the Vine in 2018-19. This grant symbolizes the new partnership between the Schusterman Foundation and TIIF, and reinforces both of the organizations commitment to igniting and spreading Jewish identity.
TIIF was founded in 2017 as a U.S. – and Israel-based nonprofit with the aim of reigniting Zionism by spreading cutting-edge Israeli culture around the world. TIIF’s current projects include Wine on the Vine (which focuses on awareness of Israeli wines and the importance of planting grapevines in Israel); the Hebrew Wallpaper Project (which offers young artists a stipend and promotion); What If? Studios (film & video); and Jaffa Nights (nightlife/events). TIIF aims to launch projects that have both a compelling model for self-sustenance and give voice to the best, most commercially viable Israeli cultural experiences. In addition, through Wine on the Vine, TIIF offers financial support to Israeli social charities that are selected for their innovation, efficiency, and impact.
“We at TIIF and I personally are extremely humbled by the vote of confidence this grant represents,” said TIIF Chairman and CEO, Adam Scott Bellos. “We have managed to do amazing things in the past year, doing so almost entirely on our own with a very limited budget, but with the support and approval of our mission by the Schusterman Foundation, and hopefully other major foundations as well, we can take our growing organization and expand our cultural efforts according to a much bigger vision of sharing Israeli culture around the world.”
In the coming year, TIIF plans on continuing to invest in its four core projects and will look for opportunities to launch new projects in partnership with major organizations, philanthropic foundations, and individual donors. — From The Israel Innovation Fund
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Nita Lowey to chair House Appropriations Committee
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita M. Lowey (D-NY-17) released the following statement after being nominated by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to serve as Appropriations Committee Chairwoman in the 116th Congress:
“I am honored that my colleagues on the Steering and Policy Committee have nominated me to serve as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. The American people have entrusted Democrats with the responsibility of making government work for them, and the Appropriations Committee will lead the way to invest in working families, repair our crumbling infrastructure, and provide robust oversight of the Trump administration.
“I look forward to working with our talented subcommittee leaders and committee members, our entire Caucus, and our counterparts across the aisle and across the Capitol to lift unworkable budget caps and pass reasonable spending bills that responsibly fund our government. I am also particularly mindful of the history I am making as the first female Appropriations Chair, and I intend to use this opportunity to continue my life’s work fighting for women and families.” — From Congresswoman Nita Lowey
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