EU envoys to Israel decry ‘unprecedented increase’ in antisemitism in Europe, around the world

The European Union Mission in Israel decries the “unprecedented increase” in antisemitism in Europe and around the world in a statement ahead of Yom Hashoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“In the aftermath of October 7, we have witnessed an unprecedented increase in antisemitism and antisemitic incidents in Europe and across the world,” says the EU statement, signed by the EU ambassador in Israel along with the heads of the 26 EU member state missions in the country.

“This is unacceptable. We have increased our engagement to fight the hatred of Jews in word and deed. The European Union and member states have not only adopted policies and commitments, but they have also put in place numerous legal instruments that we will use to counter different forms of antisemitism.”

The EU also notes that Yom Hashoah this year is being observed under unique circumstances.

“Hamas terrorists murdered, mutilated, raped and kidnapped more than a thousand Israelis with sheer unbelievable cruelty and in complete indifference to the consequences of these atrocities for their own population,” lament the EU ambassadors. “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrorist attack, including many Arab citizens of Israel. The victims of this barbaric massacre included men, women, young children and elderly Holocaust survivors who after having survived the Nazi genocide in Europe came to Israel and once again were subject to a deadly anti-Semitic pogrom. They were targeted only because they were Jews living in the State of Israel. “