Worthy Christian News > Antisemitism > Europe Must Tackle Antisemitism as Jews Leave in Thousands, Leader Warns

Europe Must Tackle Antisemitism as Jews Leave in Thousands, Leader Warns

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The leader of a major European Jewish organization urged governments across Europe on Monday to take immediate action against the sharp rise in antisemitism, which is prompting thousands of Jews to leave the continent.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), reported that around 40,000 Jews have left Europe in recent years due to a surge in antisemitic sentiment, with no intention of returning. To address this growing crisis, the EJA, representing hundreds of Jewish communities, convened a summit of Jewish leaders to tackle the rising antisemitism across the continent.

According to Rabbi Menachem Margolin, opposition to the Jewish state is the primary driver of 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,” he explained.

However, instead of fostering solidarity with Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which led to a war now in its 15th month, antisemitism has soared by 2,000%, according to data compiled by organizations monitoring antisemitism, Margolin said.

“There’s still a chance that Jewish people will be living in Europe,” Rabbi Menachem Margolin told The Associated Press. “But if the governments of Europe will not take serious measures that we are demanding from them this year, this is the beginning of the end of Jewish presence in Europe,” he warned.