Over 120 participants from 16 different countries across Europe attended the 2016 WZO European Conference on Countering Antisemitism organized by the World Zionist Organization. The conference was held the weekend of September 16-18, 2016 in Budapest, Hungary with the participation of government officials, academics, senior representatives of the WZO and students.
The conference was held as part of the ongoing efforts by the World Zionist Organization to counter Antisemitic activities. Attacks and incitement have been increasing in the media, especially with the advent of the BDS – boycott-divestment-sanctions campaign. Violence has occurred at a great frequency.
The Deputy Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Yaakov Hagoel stated, “this is a moment of truth for Jewish unity. Israel is facing rising Antisemitism hidden under has mask of false narratives and double standards. Calls for a boycott of Israeli products remind us of the days just before World War II. The incitement in the media is aimed at all Jewish people and results in violence in the streets. Here in Europe, we seek to unite the organizations, students and activists, and provide appropriate tools to combat this persistent phenomenon. The World Zionist Organization was founded by Theodor Herzl at the First Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland in 1897 to stand up for the plight of the Jewish people. We will continue to stand firm against Antisemitism around the world, particularly in Europe, by all the means available.”
The conference opened with Dr. István Mikola, State Secretary for Security Policy and International Cooperation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Hungary. He called for a zero tolerance policy for Antisemitism in the Hungarian government.
One on the highlights of the conference was the presentation by Csanád Szegedi whose story has gained international interested. Szegedi was a founding member and leader of the Hungarian Jobbik party known xenophobic message. When he discovered his Jewishness, he resigned from his position in the parliament and began a radical turnaround. In 2012 he announced that his grandparents on his mother’s side were Jewish and survivors of the Holocaust. Now he works to eradicate Antisemitism in Hungary and Europe. During the conference Szegedi talked about his former radical views and how it felt to find out his maternal grandparents were not only Jewish but Holocaust survivors. He reveled for the first time at the conference his plans to make aliyah to Israel with his wife and two children.
Media in Israel and Europe covered the announcement. The WZO’s Yaakov Hagoel promised to do all he could to help his family in the immigration process. Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Avraham Duvdevani stated, “this conference is an opportunity to work together and build solidarity between Jewish community leaders, students and activists across Europe. The World Zionist Organization is working extensively to promote Jewish heritage while battling Antisemitism. We are proud to impart the tools to the younger generation, who are now experiences this phenomenon in the digital age.” The WZO European Conference on Countering Antisemitism is part of a comprehensive strategy to expose Antisemitic incidents. It seeks to provide Jewish communities around the world with practical tools for dealing with the problem and create a relationship between concerned people. In recent years the Center for Diaspora Communications & Countering Antisemitism has been established and is directed by Eitan Behar. Dozens of young volunteers from around the world help by identifying Antisemitic incidents, reporting incitement on social media, translating documents and preparing reports.
During the conference, the WZO’s Yaakov Hagoel with Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Zsolt Semjén in his office in the Hungarian parliament. During the meeting they discussed Antisemitism and the BDS movement.
The conference ended on Sunday afternoon with a moving ceremony on the banks of the Danube. It was at this location where 600,000 Jewish people were murdered. Memorial prayers were recited followed by the singing of Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem.
There is a high awareness about Antisemitism in Europe according to a recent survey conducted in January 2016. This survey indicated that 40% of Israelis believe that European Jews should move to Israel due to Antisemitism.
