STOPPING THE HORRIFYING RESURGENCE OF ANTI-SEMITISM

Author: Moshe Kantor is president of the European Jewish Congress and the World Holocaust Forum Foundation

Today, Jews around the world find themselves in the most precarious position since humanity's darkest chapter. Last year, from Pittsburgh to Paris, Jews were murdered simply for who they are. The perpetrators may subscribe to divergent ideologies, but their raison d'être is identical, to end the life of as many Jews as possible. Jews get the message. Many now hide signs of their religious affinity. Jewish institutions are erecting high walls and barbed wire defenses. Jewish schools, kindergartens and synagogues require security akin to airports. These are the foreboding trappings of a community in danger and unsure of its safety or security.

The Jews of the world must know that there is now a courageous and moral majority that stands solidly alongside them. For this, we need an international effort to confront anti-Semitism. Leaders need to cut off the oxygen given to those who seek to perpetrate attacks against Jews and spread their hate. There must be recognition that anti-Semitism is not the purview of one group or one particular ideology, but has a long and bloody history spanning numerous outlooks and worldviews.

Anti-Semitism corrodes the foundations of democratic societies. As history has taught us, hatred begins with Jews, but it never ends with Jews. There needs to be a new comprehensive undertaking to end a felonious tolerance of hate and racism, whether against Jews or any other targeted minority.

"The Working Definition of Antisemitism" adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and by several of its member states, should become universally accepted in its entirety. It is this: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."

There should be zero-tolerance for antisemitism and other forms of hate. Freedom of expression is a vital value, but the right to life, safety and security is paramount. Time and again, those who shed the blood of Jews have been fed incitement, lies and myths against the Jewish people. Such vile hatred flourishes today on social media and in online chat rooms.

No one is born to hate, so we must inculcate against intolerance. It begins with education. We must teach to value difference and ensure that dangerous propaganda spreading violent hate is utterly unacceptable. The global Jewish community is facing unprecedented challenges to its future. Especially in Europe, Jews need an international alliance against anti-Semitism.