7
Feb
2024
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Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)
President, Commissioner, colleagues. Today we are facing a painful reality: a new wave of antisemitism. Reports of hate-motivated incidents are a stunning reminder that history lessons have not been learned everywhere. The recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East has triggered a dangerous wave of anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks in several Member States. Lithuania, like many European nations, has scars of the past: Once a vibrant and inseparable part of our society – the Lithuanian Jewish community – faced systemic violence during World War II, culminating in the Holocaust. The ghettos and massacres have remained in Europe's collective memory as a vivid reminder of the devastating consequences of uncontrolled hatred. Unfortunately, the rise of antisemitism is not only a historical relic, but also a reality in Europe today. Rhetoric is not enough. To combat antisemitism, we must use political and legal means to prosecute hate crimes, both online and offline. This means investing in educational programmes that promote tolerance and understanding, and promoting dialogue and cooperation between different groups of communities. We must send a message to future generations that we are united in condemning all forms of antisemitism, like any other form of hatred. We must reaffirm our commitment to the fundamental principles of tolerance, respect and equality on which the European Union was founded.