European Jewish Association Urges Action Against Rising Antisemitism
European Jewish Association Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin criticized European governments for failing to protect contemporary Jewish communities at an international conference in Krakow.
European governments are failing to protect contemporary Jewish communities despite their commitment to Holocaust remembrance, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), warned on Monday at the opening of an international conference in Krakow.
Speaking at the annual EJA summit titled "Remembering the Past, Defending the Future," Margolin criticized the widening gap between solemn memorial ceremonies and the daily reality of rising antisemitism across the continent. Over 120 ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, and Jewish leaders gathered for the event, which also addresses the role of major technology companies, including Microsoft and Meta, in combating online hate speech.
"Enough with declarations and excuses. The time for action has arrived," Margolin stated. He emphasized that physical security and fundamental rights cannot remain open to negotiation, demanding equal protection and the freedom for Jews to live openly without fear.
The Iranian Threat and Regional Dynamics
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi of Iran joined the conference, addressing reporters alongside EJA leadership. Pahlavi condemned the Iranian regime for denying the Holocaust while simultaneously threatening the Jewish people and funding global terrorism. He urged European nations to abandon appeasement policies, shut down Iranian embassies, expel diplomats, and crack down on illicit financial networks.
Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yakov Finkelstein stressed that honoring the memory of Auschwitz requires rigorous legal enforcement, robust education, and uncompromising determination. Meanwhile, Dutch Jewish leader Ellen van Praag shared personal testimony regarding the escalating climate of insecurity and exclusion faced by Jews in the Netherlands following the October 7 attacks.
The delegation is scheduled to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp for a memorial ceremony, where leaders will call for concrete legislative and enforcement measures to ensure the safety of Jewish communities across Europe.
