European and Israeli Leaders Address “Global Intifada” of Antisemitism

May 19, 2025 – Paris, France

A significant panel discussion addressing the troubling rise in antisemitism across Europe took place at the prestigious Hotel du Collectionneur in Paris, bringing together prominent political figures from France, Israel, and Italy to develop a unified approach to combating hatred against Jewish communities worldwide.

The panel, titled “Global Intifada: Addressing the Surge of Antisemitism Post-October 7,” featured MEP François-Xavier Bellamy from France, MK Idan Roll from Israel, and Senator Ivan Scalfarotto from Italy. The discussion was skillfully moderated by Olga Israel, a respected advocate for strengthening European-Israeli relations.

Political Warfare and Physical Violence: Two Fronts of Modern Antisemitism

During the panel, participants reached a consensus that contemporary antisemitism operates on dual fronts: political warfare and physical violence. These two manifestations reinforce each other, creating a dangerous cycle that threatens Jewish communities across Europe and beyond.

“All agreed that contemporary antisemitism today is in great part political warfare complementing physical and terror warfare,” Israel shared in her social media post following the event. “The two go hand in hand feeding off each other and enabling each other, and should be fought as such.”

This understanding represents an important evolution in how governments and organizations are approaching antisemitism. Rather than treating violent incidents and political delegitimization of Israel as separate issues, the panelists advocated for a comprehensive strategy that addresses both dimensions simultaneously.

Strengthening Europe-Israel Relations as a Countermeasure

A central theme emerging from the discussion was the critical importance of Europe-Israel relations in effectively combating antisemitism. Israel, who has consistently advocated for stronger ties between Europe and Israel, emphasized that these relationships take on new significance in the current climate.

“The relations between Israel and Europe are pivotal, as I’ve been stressing for years,” Israel noted. “It is our challenge to give them a new meaning in the context of fighting antisemitism comprised of both violence against Jews and denial of Israel’s right to exist.”

MEP Bellamy, representing France in the European Parliament, highlighted how European institutions can play a more active role in countering antisemitism through policy initiatives and educational programs. He emphasized the need for European countries to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism as a foundation for consistent policy approaches.

Israeli Perspective on Global Antisemitism

MK Idan Roll provided unique insights from the Israeli government’s perspective, discussing how the October 7 attacks have transformed perceptions and realities for Jewish communities worldwide. Roll detailed how incidents of antisemitism have surged globally since the attacks, creating new challenges for Jewish communities in Europe, North America, and elsewhere.

Roll’s contribution to the panel underscored the importance of information sharing between Israel and European governments to better track and respond to antisemitic incidents. He advocated for enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders to protect Jewish communities more effectively.

Italy’s Approach to Combating Hatred

Senator Ivan Scalfarotto shared Italy’s efforts to combat antisemitism through legislative measures and educational initiatives. He discussed the importance of preserving historical memory of the Holocaust while addressing new manifestations of antisemitism appearing on social media and in political discourse.

Scalfarotto emphasized that fighting antisemitism requires a whole-of-society approach, including government action, civil society engagement, and educational programs that promote intercultural understanding and respect.

ELNET’s Role in Facilitating Dialogue

The conference was organized by ELNET – European Leadership Network, an organization dedicated to strengthening relations between Europe and Israel based on shared democratic values and strategic interests. Through events like this panel discussion, ELNET creates platforms for meaningful dialogue on critical issues affecting both regions.

“A major thanks to ELNET – European Leadership Network for organizing the conference and creating a platform to discuss this,” Israel acknowledged in her statement, highlighting the organization’s crucial role in bringing together diverse stakeholders to address shared challenges.

NGO Monitor Provides Research Backing

The panel was further supported by research and expertise from NGO Monitor, an organization that provides information and analysis on human rights NGOs. Their research has documented how antisemitism manifests in various contexts and how international organizations sometimes inadvertently contribute to problematic narratives.

NGO Monitor’s involvement highlights the importance of reliable data and analysis in developing effective strategies to counter antisemitism. Their work provides policymakers and advocates with essential information to identify and respond to emerging trends in antisemitic discourse and activity.

Looking Forward: A Coordinated Response

As the conference concluded, participants emphasized the need for continued collaboration between European nations and Israel to develop coordinated responses to antisemitism. This includes sharing best practices, harmonizing legal frameworks, and creating rapid response mechanisms to address antisemitic incidents when they occur.

The panel at Hotel du Collectionneur represents an important step forward in creating a unified approach to combating antisemitism in all its forms. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across Europe and Israel, the event fostered new connections and laid groundwork for future cooperation.

For Jewish communities across Europe facing increased threats and intimidation, the high-level attention and commitment demonstrated by this panel offer a measure of reassurance that their concerns are being taken seriously at the highest levels of government.

As Olga Israel noted in her concluding remarks, the fight against antisemitism is not just about protecting Jewish communities—it’s about preserving the fundamental values of tolerance, pluralism, and human dignity that form the foundation of democratic societies.

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