Brussels, October 7th, 2024 – As the world prepares to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 massacre, the deadliest day in Jewish history after the Holocaust, ECI will be present at commemoration events across Europe, including in Strasbourg, Geneva and Helsinki, to show solidarity with the Jewish community and the State of Israel.
In a statement on Sunday night ECI Founding Director Tomas Sandell called October 7 “a civilisational moment that has drawn up new moral demarcation lines between those who openly celebrate this brutal pogrom, those who remain indifferent and those who, against all odds, choose to stand up for the right of the Jewish state to defend itself against its deadly enemies.”
“This is not simply a military confrontation in various parts in the Middle East but a battle of ideas across the world; in media, academia and the diplomatic world as Israel is facing increasing isolation,” Sandell explained.
In a recent UN vote on September 18 only 14 nations out of 193 voted against a resolution which indirectly rewards Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 by demanding an unconditional Israeli withdrawal from the disputed territories despite the ongoing existential battle of the Jewish state.
On Saturday, only four days after Iran had launched a two-wave ballistic attack on Israel and only two days before the first anniversary of October 7, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an arms embargo on Israel. The statement comes only months after Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, in a meeting with President Macron announced an investment of 10 billion euros in strategic sectors of the French economy. Qatar who is currently hosting the political leadership of Hamas is also one of the main sponsors of the terrorist organisation. France was one out of 13 EU member states which voted for the UN resolution on September 18 whereas a small majority (14 EU-member states) either abstained or voted against the resolution.
Tomas Sandell said, “Whereas many EU member states have ended up on the wrong side of history during this civilisational moment, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have shown both moral clarity and great leadership in having expressed their solidarity with the Jewish state after October 7. This courageous stance deserves proper recognition and our full support.”
On Monday night ECI will take part in a national solidarity rally in Helsinki. On Wednesday night ECI will host a major solidarity event outside Palais Wilson, the former headquarters of the League of Nations in Geneva, calling upon Christian leaders from around the world to rise up to the occasion and stand in full solidarity with the Jewish people after the atrocities of October 7. ECI will also take part in the official European Parliament commemoration event in Strasbourg on Tuesday together with members of the European parliament, including President Roberta Metsola.
