Commenting on the release of the European Commission’s strategy on combatting antisemitism, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis (CER), has made the following comment:
“We welcome the European Commission’s strategy on combatting antisemitism, especially those elements relating to the security of our communities. These vital commitments regarding the security of Jewish communities across Europe and the prevention of antisemitism should not be underestimated. We pay particular tribute to Katharina von Schnurbein for bringing us to this point, and our thanks go out to her.
“However, Jewish communities can only thrive if they are able to practise the traditions and customs of our faith. We are saddened that the Commission seems to absolve itself of responsibility for matters relating to Jewish practice by devolving them to Member States. That is deeply unhelpful. This strategy allows Member States to enact laws which fly in the face of the EU Treaty’s protection of religious freedoms, without recourse. The EC is uniquely placed to protect our communities and we urge them to do more, and quickly, to protect religious traditions, customs and practices.”