Pöördumine

H.E. Mr Lauri Läänemets Minister of the Interior

Republic of Estonia

Brussels, 13 May 2024

Your Excellency Minister Läänemets,

Firstly, allow me to thank you for your efforts today to keep Jewish Communities in Europe safe to date. In such times, with levels of antisemitism at levels last seen in 1930’s Germany, the challenges are immense. We appreciate your continued vigilance and support in these unprecedented circumstances. However, it is a regrettable truth, but a truth nonetheless that most Jewish people who have been subjected to an antisemitic incident, do not bother to report it.

There are a number of reasons why this is the case. In many instances, antisemitism, particularly of a vocal nature, is sadly an everyday occurrence.

There is often little hope of any meaningful outcome for most Jews in reporting an incident, meaning that many of those affected see little point in reporting it.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, reporting antisemitism means taking the time to go to the nearest police station, sitting down for an interview and filling out lengthy paperwork.

Combined, these factors are masking what we at the European Jewish Association believe is the tip of the European antisemitic iceberg.

What can be done? I write to ask you to expedite a simplified procedure for reporting antisemitism. The most obvious solution is an online form where victims can report, leave all the necessary details, then allow the forces of law and order to follow up. I believe that your Ministry, responsible as it is for the security and safety of citizenry regardless of race, religion or orientation is best placed to set this up.

Based on anecdotal, as well as real time reports from our communities across the continent, the EJA believes that the real levels of antisemitism across Europe are much, much worse than are being reported. In short and just like an iceberg, antisemitism in Europe is only partly visible on the surface.

If we are to truly tackle the problem, we must first understand its scale. And to understand the scale we must make it easier for Jews who are victims of antisemitic attacks to report it, and most importantly to have their voices heard and ultimately acted upon.

With most respectful regards Yours sincerely,

Rabbi Menachem Margolin Founder and Chairman European Jewish Association

Joël Mergui Chairman of EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board President of Consistoire of Paris, France President of Centre Européen du Judaïsme

Baroness Régine Suchowolski - Sluszny EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Vice-Chairwoman for Holocaust Remembrance and President of Forum of Jewish Organisations, Belgium

Ellen Van Praagh-van Aspert EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Vice-Chairwoman for Equity and Diversity, and President of IPOR Jewish Communities, The Netherlands

Andrew Cohen FCA EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Vice-Chairman for UK President, Federation of Synagogues, UK

Riccardo Pacifici EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Vice-Chairman for Italy and Jewish Heritage

Alexander Benjamin EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Vice-Chairman for Advocacy, European Jewish Association

Estrella Bengio EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Member President of Madrid Jewish Community

Edward Odoner EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Member Chairman of Review Board of TSKZ Social & Cultural Association of Jews in Poland

Gabriel Senderowicz Mold EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Member President of Porto Jewish Community

Yaron Zeloof EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Member President of the Jewish Community of Cyprus

Jean Jacques Schreiber EJA Jewish Leaders’ Board Member President of Shomre Hadas of Antwerp