Anti-Semitism is “incompatible with our European values”, but there is “a safe future for all people living in the European Union”, was the message conveyed Wednesday by President Jose Manuel Barroso to a Jewish event in Brussels ahead of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year later this month.
Slamming the revival of violence against Jews in Europe, he admitted that the need to redress continuing threats to the safety of Europe’s Jewish communities was “saddening”, in his speech transmitted to the event co-hosted by the European Jewish Association (EJA) and the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC).
The event, which was held under the patronage of the President of the EU Commission as well as that of the current Italian presidency of the European Union, paid special ribute to the contribution of Venice’s established Jewish community to Venetian society, with the showcasing of an exhibition by the Jewish Museum of Venice: Venice, The Jews and European Culture 1516-2016.
Highlighting the rich cultural life and diverse demographic of Venetian Jewry, Barroso, who is to leave his post later this year, said this emphasis on multi-culturalism embodied the European ideals.
He however admitted that Europe’s fragile economy had paved the way for a revival of “unacceptable” tensions which were “incompatible with our European values”, as he vowed to “continue creating a safe future for all people living in the European Union”.
Refuting suggestions that there is no place for the Jewish community in Europe, he concluded that “the EU is the best antidote against extreme nationalism, racism and xenophobia”.
The event, in the presence of Israel’s ambassador to the EU, David Walzer, was also addressed by a minister of the Venice region, Roberto Ciambetti, who praised the lasting legacy Venetian Jewry left on the city.
Paying tribute to the victims of May’s deadly shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, he said it had caused “a wound to the heart of the European Union”.
Reflecting further on the resurgence of hate crimes in Europe in recent months, he denounced religious fanaticism, concluding that “knowledge is the best antidote to fight the roots of extremism and hatred that thrive in ignorance”.
Stressing the importance of a secure Europe for minority groups, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Director General of the European Jewish Association (EJA) addressed the political leaders and Jewish community representatives : ‘’Don’t underestimate your power to ensure that Jewish people will have a safe place.”
EJCC Director Avi Tawil, who was the master of ceremonies at this event together with his wife Nehama, declared: "The new year is a new beginning, we understand that it is important that all culture and religions show respect to human being."
Nehama Tawil emphasized that ‘’we need to remember we all share the same humanity, we are all born equal and need to unit our forces to live in a better place to our children."
The exhibition Venice, The Jews and European Culture 1516-2016 will be available to the public to view until 18th September 2014 at the European Jewish Building, 109 Rue Froissart, 1040 Brussels.