The history of the establishment of the State of Israel and the European Union are closely intertwined, both of which were preceded by the atrocities of World War II.
In the wake of that conflict, the founding fathers envisioned a united Europe as a necessary step in order to avoid another deadly war within the region.
At the same time, more and more evidence was emerging on the Nazi genocide of 6 million Jews.
Consequently, the world community recognized the urgent need for a homeland and safe haven for the Jewish people, which had originally been promised to them in the San Remo Resolution of 1920 and the subsequent Mandate for Palestine.
More than any other nation in the Middle East, Israel shares a common set of values and historical roots with Europe.
Over recent years, a new wave of violence and hatred against the Jewish community (antisemitism) and against Israel (anti-Zionism) has alarmed many in Europe and in the Jewish community throughout Europe. Many respected Jewish personalities have rightly described it as the worst wave of antisemitism since World War II. The research carried out by the European Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna has revealed that the wave of antisemitism is no longer just a phenomenon of a few ultranationalist extremists. The report shows that modern antisemitism and anti-Zionism have gained wide support from various extreme political groups and from many radical Arab and Islamic groups within Europe. As a nation, Israel is facing an existential threat from terrorism inspired by radical Islam (within the region). Recent events in Europe prove that the same threat is more and more present and active in the very heart of Europe.
More than ever:
We, as Europeans and in particular as Christians of Europe, have an obligation to:
ECI therefore takes responsibility in this present challenge, seeking to be a voice against the scourge of antisemitism and to enhance understanding of the complex realities of the Middle East, first in the heart of Europe and then to the nations beyond.
“Today, more than ever, it is not enough to say never again. We must turn these words into action. We must inform the generations born after the Holocaust about the terrible events that took place on European soil and educate them to take a stand against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination”
Federica Mogherini
Former High Representative of the European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
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Email: info@ec4i.org