An Old Hatred in a New Era
By Willy Fautré, Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers
HRWF (09.11.2026) – Antisemitism, one of the oldest and most persistent forms of hatred in European history, is once again becoming a deeply troubling reality across the continent and members of the European Parliament are very concerned about this phenomenon.
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On 5 November, MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (European Conservatives and Reformists Political Group), Co-Chair of the EP Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Vice-Chair of the Delegation for relations with Israel hosted a conference about anti-Semitism in Europe at the European Parliament in Brussels.
MEP Charlie Weimers (ECR Political Group), a member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs had also joined the panel. In his introduction, MEP Ruissen recalled the antisemitism wave in the 1930s and its consequences and said “We may not keep silent, we have to stand up against antisemitism. We must understand how dramatic the current situation is in Europe. The fact that a lot of Jews are considering to leave Europe tells us something. It tells us that we have to act now.” He stressed that Christians have a special responsibility towards Jews because they cannot ignore that they have the same roots.”Let us as Christians be united to condemn all forms of antisemitism and let us show our solidarity with the Jews.” MEP Weimers was quoted as saying in his introductory words “We are here to discuss Jewish life in Europe.
Jewish life must be able to flourish on our continent. No Jewish family should feem they need to keep a suitcase packed, ready to leave. Parents should be able to send their children to school without fear. Families should be able to celebrate their traditions openly. Someone wearing a kippah should feel at home in any European city but we are far from that Ideal. One of the most serious threats facing Jewish communities today comes from Islamist extremism, and especially the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Despite the lessons of the Holocaust, decades of education, and the commitment of European institutions to human rights and equality, Jewish communities are increasingly confronted with hostility, intimidation, discrimination and violence in the EU. From verbal abuse and vandalism to physical attacks and threats against Jewish institutions, antisemitism has re-emerged as a serious challenge to Europe’s democratic values.
A worrying rise across the continent
The figures published by European institutions confirm the seriousness of the problem. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), 80% of Jewish respondents in its 2024 survey felt that antisemitism had increased in their country over the previous five years. Furthermore, 90% had encountered antisemitism online, while 37% had experienced harassment because they were Jewish. Perhaps most disturbing, 76% said they sometimes concealed their Jewish identity in public for fear of discrimination or hostility.
The situation has not significantly improved since then. In January 2026, a new Eurobarometer survey revealed that 55% of Europeans consider antisemitism a problem in their country, while 47% believe it has increased over the previous five years. These findings demonstrate that antisemitism is not simply a concern expressed by Jewish communities themselves; it is increasingly recognised as a broader European problem.
The increase is visible in several countries.
In Belgium, for example, UNIA, the national equality body, recorded 277 reported antisemitic incidents in 2024, compared with 57 in 2022. In Germany, officially recorded antisemitic crimes rose from 2,641 in 2022 to 6,236 in 2024. France also experienced a dramatic increase, with 1,570 recorded antisemitic acts and threats in 2024, compared with 436 in 2022. Although national reporting systems differ, making direct comparisons difficult, the overall trend is unmistakably worrying.
The impact of the conflict in the Middle East
One of the main factors contributing to the recent increase has been the conflict in the Middle East. Following the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza, tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have increasingly spilled over into European societies.
While criticism of the Israeli government, its policies or military actions is entirely legitimate, it must remain part of democratic debate. However, such criticism becomes antisemitic when Jewish people, simply because they are Jewish, are held collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. Jewish citizens of France, Belgium, Germany or any other European country are not representatives of the Israeli state and should never be treated as such.
Unfortunately, this distinction is not always respected. Jewish students have reported intimidation at universities, Jewish businesses and institutions have faced hostility, and individuals wearing visible symbols of their religion have become targets of verbal or physical aggression. Synagogues and Jewish schools increasingly require security measures that should never have to be necessary in democratic societies.
Antisemitism in the digital ageAnother major concern is the role of social media and digital communication. Online platforms have made it easier than ever for extremist ideas, conspiracy theories and antisemitic propaganda to spread rapidly across national borders.
Traditional antisemitic stereotypes have found new forms of expression online. Jewish people are portrayed as secretly controlling governments, financial institutions or the media. Holocaust denial and distortion circulate alongside conspiracy theories blaming Jews for international conflicts and economic difficulties.
The anonymity offered by the internet encourages individuals to express hatred they might otherwise hesitate to display publicly. Furthermore, algorithms can amplify provocative and divisive content, allowing extremist messages to reach particularly large audiences. The result is an environment in which antisemitic language can become normalised, especially among younger generations who encounter such content through social media.
However, online hatred does not remain confined to the digital world. It can contribute to the creation of an atmosphere in which discrimination, intimidation and even physical violence become more acceptable.
A threat to European democratic values
The rise of antisemitism should not be considered exclusively a Jewish problem. It represents a direct threat to the fundamental principles upon which modern Europe was built: freedom, equality, tolerance and respect for human dignity.
European history offers a particularly painful reminder of the consequences of allowing hatred to flourish. The Holocaust, during which six million Jews were systematically murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, remains one of the darkest chapters in human history. Yet the persistence of antisemitic ideas demonstrates that the lessons of this tragedy have not been sufficiently absorbed by every generation.
The European Commission has recognised these dangers and emphasised the need to combat antisemitism both online and offline, while protecting Jewish communities and preserving Jewish cultural life.
What can Europe do?
Combating antisemitism requires more than political declarations and expressions of solidarity following violent incidents. It demands sustained action from governments, educational institutions, civil society and individual citizens.
First, education must play a central role. Teaching the history of the Holocaust remains essential, but education should also address the history of Jewish communities in Europe, the origins of antisemitism and the ways in which anti-Jewish prejudice adapts to changing political and social circumstances.
Second, European governments must ensure that antisemitic crimes are properly investigated and prosecuted. Jewish citizens must be able to attend religious services, send their children to school and participate in public life without fear. Better monitoring, consistent reporting systems and effective protection for Jewish institutions are also necessary.
Finally, political leaders and public figures must demonstrate responsibility in their language and actions. They should condemn antisemitism unequivocally, regardless of its political, ideological or religious origins. Defending the rights of Palestinians and criticising Israeli government policies must never become an excuse for hostility towards Jewish people.
Never again must remain a commitment
Europe stands at an important crossroads. More than eight decades after the Holocaust, the resurgence of antisemitism demonstrates that prejudice and intolerance have not disappeared. They have simply adapted to new circumstances, political tensions and communication technologies.
The fact that Jewish people increasingly feel obliged to hide their identity in public should be unacceptable in a continent that claims to defend democracy and human rights.
Remembering the Holocaust is important, but remembrance alone is insufficient. Its lessons must be translated into concrete action, political courage and everyday solidarity. Antisemitism must be challenged whenever and wherever it appears, whether in the street, at a university, in the media or on social networks.
Ultimately, the test of European democracy is not simply how it treats the majority, but how effectively it protects minorities. Ensuring that Jewish people can live openly, safely and proudly as Europeans is not a privilege to be granted; it is a fundamental right.
Never again should be more than a historical slogan. It must remain a living commitment.Other speakers were: Tomas Sandell, Founding Director of the European Coalition for IsraelRik Eckstein, Canadian businessman and son of Holocaust descendantChief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European RabbisJonas Markowitz, European Union of Jewish StudentsA representative of the Christian minority in IranPascale Falek, Policy Officer, Office of EC Coordinator on combatting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.
