Europe urged to tackle antisemitism as thousands of Jews ‘leave the continent’

The chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA) has called on governments across Europe to take immediate action against a precipitous rise in antisemitism that he said was pushing thousands of Jews to leave the continent.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin said on Monday that some 40,000 Jews have already left Europe in recent years with no intention of returning due to a rise in antisemitic sentiment.

Describing 2025 as a “critical year” for European Jews, Margolin warned that “if the governments of Europe will not take seriously the measures that we are demanding from them this year, this is the beginning of the end of Jewish presence in Europe”.

Speaking ahead of a two-day summit organised by the EJA in Cyprus, Margolin said antisemitism in Europe has risen by 2,000% following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, 2023 that triggered the 15-month war, citing statistics compiled by organisations that monitor antisemitism.

According to a survey carried out by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights before the war started, 96% of respondents said they experienced antisemitism in Europe between January and June 2023.

The Vienna-based agency also collected veri from 12 Jewish umbrella organisations after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, with some of these organisations reporting a 400% increase in antisemitism.

The Jewish leader attributed political shortsightedness to European elected officials who “pretend that everything is just alright” and “do not understand the emergency of combating antisemitism.”

Margolin also called on European governments to move from verbal condemnations of antisemitic behaviour towards effective action which would ensure the safety and security of Jews.

He said authorities should establish a “code of conduct” to ensure demonstrations against Israel don’t devolve into antisemitic protests, stating that there should be “strong and swift” punishments for individuals found guilty of antisemitic actions.

According to Margolin, opposition to the Jewish state is the prime reason for antisemitism in Europe, “the moment the government is friendly towards Israel and understands and defends Israel’s right to defend itself, it reduces a lot of tension against Jewish people.”