B'nai B'rith Recommendations on Addressing Anti-Semitism
In Response to Consultation on European Commission Action Plan against Racism 2020
Acknowledge anti-Semitism as a form of racism. To tackle antisemitism in an anti-racist framework we must first acknowledge it as a form of racism. Often times anti-Jewish hatred is excluded from anti-racist narratives, this exclusion in its most extreme forms taking the shape of discourse about “Jewish privilege”. The action plan must be explicit about naming anti-Semitism as one of the forms of racism it aims to tackle. To define what anti-Semitism is, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism – endorsed by the Commission and the Parliament – should be further mainstreamed.
Mainstream anti-Semitism across policy areas. We must ensure that across all the policy areas under the Commission’s competences, attention is payed to impact of legislation on the Jewish community. Greater awareness about Jewish life, tradition and history as well as a deeper understanding of what constitutes anti-Semitism is needed for policy-makers. Increase trainings for Commission staff on anti-Semitism in the broader framework of anti-bias training. Ensure that all Commission policy-areas are represented. Encourage communication between DGs and the Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism.
Invest in security. The safety of European citizens, including Jewish Europeans is the responsibility of member states and the EU. Jewish communities, institutions and individuals should thus not be responsible for providing or paying for their own security. Promote and encourage member states to make use of the EU financial instruments for the protection of public spaces; encourage closer cooperation between law enforcement and communities; increase support for civil society monitoring hate crime; increase opportunities for law enforcement training to identify anti-Semitic hate crimes.
Invest in research. The Fundamental Rights Agency surveys on Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism of 2013 and 2018, the report on Young Jewish Europeans: Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism as well as the Special Eurobarometer 484 has provided crucial insight for the fight against antisemitism, and have been the backdrop of policy-decisions. Such research must be encouraged and funded regularly, particularly to better understand antisemitism online.
Tackle online anti-Semitism – Online hate, conspiracy myths and disinformation are a particular and increasing challenge for the EU. Anti-Semitic tropes often underscore these phenomena and should be explicitly dealt with. The Action Plan should call on the upcoming Digital Service Act to address illegal and legal but harmful content; collect data and study the spread of conspiracy myths; address hate on unregulated platforms; educate fact-checkers and content moderators about anti-Semitism; enable NGOs to develop online responses and resources and invest in online resilience education across the EU.
Encourage the implementation of national strategies to address anti-Semitism. The Council Declaration on the Fight Against Antisemitism of 2018 mandated that member states develop and proceed to implement national strategies to tackle anti-Semitism. Call on member states to finalize their national strategies and create mechanisms for monitoring their implementation. Support fora, such as the European Commission Working Group on Antisemitism, to meet regularly and exchange best practices to facilitate effective implementation.
Mainstream anti-Semitism across policy areas. We must ensure that across all the policy areas under the Commission’s competences, attention is payed to impact of legislation on the Jewish community. Greater awareness about Jewish life, tradition and history as well as a deeper understanding of what constitutes anti-Semitism is needed for policy-makers. Increase trainings for Commission staff on anti-Semitism in the broader framework of anti-bias training. Ensure that all Commission policy-areas are represented. Encourage communication between DGs and the Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism.
Invest in security. The safety of European citizens, including Jewish Europeans is the responsibility of member states and the EU. Jewish communities, institutions and individuals should thus not be responsible for providing or paying for their own security. Promote and encourage member states to make use of the EU financial instruments for the protection of public spaces; encourage closer cooperation between law enforcement and communities; increase support for civil society monitoring hate crime; increase opportunities for law enforcement training to identify anti-Semitic hate crimes.
Invest in research. The Fundamental Rights Agency surveys on Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism of 2013 and 2018, the report on Young Jewish Europeans: Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism as well as the Special Eurobarometer 484 has provided crucial insight for the fight against antisemitism, and have been the backdrop of policy-decisions. Such research must be encouraged and funded regularly, particularly to better understand antisemitism online.
Tackle online anti-Semitism – Online hate, conspiracy myths and disinformation are a particular and increasing challenge for the EU. Anti-Semitic tropes often underscore these phenomena and should be explicitly dealt with. The Action Plan should call on the upcoming Digital Service Act to address illegal and legal but harmful content; collect data and study the spread of conspiracy myths; address hate on unregulated platforms; educate fact-checkers and content moderators about anti-Semitism; enable NGOs to develop online responses and resources and invest in online resilience education across the EU.
Encourage the implementation of national strategies to address anti-Semitism. The Council Declaration on the Fight Against Antisemitism of 2018 mandated that member states develop and proceed to implement national strategies to tackle anti-Semitism. Call on member states to finalize their national strategies and create mechanisms for monitoring their implementation. Support fora, such as the European Commission Working Group on Antisemitism, to meet regularly and exchange best practices to facilitate effective implementation.
