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B'nai B'rith International

BBI

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Klára Dobrev (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Oct 2024 · Issues related to antisemitism, fostering Jewish life, Holocaust remembrance and Israel relations

Response to 1st progress report of the EU antisemitism strategy

15 Apr 2024

Bnai Brith International welcomed the release in 2021 of the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life as a comprehensive and precise document to serve as a useful tool for EU and national policy-makers. The numerous clear actions laid out by the strategy make evaluation of progress and impact after three years tangible and measurable. Among the positive aspects already observable: Building networks and exchanging best practices The Working Group on the Implementation of the Strategy and the Civil Society Forum especially have been useful formats for exchanges between a. Government officials from different member states, b. Governments and their Jewish communities and c. Civil society organizations with complementary aims. Thanks to the format often focused on positive updates, governments have felt compelled to take necessary steps forward in the fight against antisemitism. Notably, it has hurried the appointment of national coordinators on combating antisemitism and prompted the development of national strategies. Like-minded civil society organizations have formed coalitions, and developed new projects in partnership. Jewish communities have become more aware of policy tools at their disposal. Policy areas such as data collection or security have become more harmonized. Capacity building for national initiatives Dedicated funding streams have made a significant impact on the capacity of civil society organizations, including, but not limited to national Jewish federations. Importantly, through thorough promotion, they have permeated the local level, bringing funding avenues to less consolidated or prominent organizations, leading to a perceivable boom of grassroots activities. Importantly, antisemitism, Holocaust education, and hate speech and hate crime more broadly have been specific priorities both in the more evident and immediate areas of funding such as CERV-REM or CERV-EQUAL but also across policy areas including education and youth, digital, or neighborhood. The Communication issued by the Commission on December 6 in light of growing antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks was a welcome step, attesting to the ability of the Commission to act adaptively in light of urgent circumstances. Mainstreaming the fight against antisemitism across policy areas We percieve a heightened understanding within various EC DGs as well as in the broader policy and diplomatic space associated with the EU of the issue of antisemitism. This is in no small part thanks to the cross-cutting nature of the Strategy, which promoted actions across policy-areas. In the context of the EUs external action especially, more needs to be done to hold counterparts accountable for antisemitic speech and incitement, yet the inclusion of this aspect in the strategy is an important step. Need for data and research In the wake of the October 7 attacks and subsequent spike in antisemitism across Europe, data and research to better understand the current threat landscape will be essential. The upcoming European research hub on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life and culture is an important development in that regard, which will also be a key long-term institution to valorise the immense Jewish cultural heritage currently under-explored and ill preserved across Europe. All in all, the implementation of the Strategy is moving at an energetic pace, and seems set to accomplish its planned milestones with good results in an increasingly difficult environment.
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Meeting with David Lega (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Nov 2022 · Antisemitism. Abraham Accords.

Meeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President)

9 Nov 2022 · Antisemitism, disinformation

Meeting with Olivér Várhelyi (Commissioner)

9 Nov 2022 · EU strategy on combatting anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life

Response to EU strategy on combating antisemitism

11 Jun 2021

We are submitting, within this public consultation, in the attachment, the recommendations for the Strategy already presented to the European Commission outside the framework of the Roadmap jointly by major Jewish organizations working with the EU institutions.
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Meeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President) and AJC Transatlantic Institute and B'nai B'rith Europe

21 Oct 2020 · Keynote to #DeleteAntisemitism campaign launch

Meeting with Věra Jourová (Vice-President) and

11 May 2020 · Webinar - Threats to democracy during the COVID19 Crisis

Meeting with Oliver Rentschler (Cabinet of High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini)

6 Feb 2019 · European Union’s engagement in the Middle East Peace Process.

Meeting with Emma Udwin (Cabinet of Vice-President Johannes Hahn)

27 Apr 2017 · challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Meeting with Věra Jourová (Commissioner) and

4 Jul 2016 · Anti-semitism, hate speech online

Meeting with Daniel Braun (Cabinet of Commissioner Věra Jourová)

8 Apr 2016 · Radicalisation and antisemitism