Representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and European Union bodies, as well as from civil society groups came together on Thursday in Brussels for a Joint Day of Action against Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination.

The day, organised by ODIHR, the European Commission (EC), European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI) and in co-operation with the European Parliament Working Group on Antisemitism (WGAS) and the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS), included workshops, presentations and discussions focusing directly on current issues related to Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination.

The Joint Day began with a public discussion in the European Parliament (EP) that brought together MEPs, media professionals, researchers and Muslim community representatives to analyse and discuss the portrayal and participation of Muslims in the media.

Another session in the EP entailed a public presentation of ODIHR’s new publication, Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities – a Practical Guide”. The publication lists practical steps that governments, in co-operation with Jewish communities, can undertake to prevent and respond to Antisemitic hate crimes and better address the security needs of Jewish communities.

Later in the day a joint roundtable organised by the European Commission and ODIHR and hosted at the Commission’s headquarters brought together civil society organizations working specifically on the issue of anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination.

The Joint Day coincided with the Muslim holiday of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and concluded with an interfaith dinner at the European Jewish Community Center that brought together activists working on issues of Antisemitism and intolerance against Muslims to discuss joint approaches to addressing intolerance and discrimination.

Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commissioned concluded: “Combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance goes to the heart of our common European project. By coming together today, the Jewish and Muslim communities are sending out a strong signal that there is no harbour for hate or discrimination in their communities. For history teaches us that hatred against one minority often spills over to others. Our Coordinators on combating Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred ensure that the concerns and ideas of these communities are heard loud and clear. Over the past three years, we have also stepped up our close cooperation with international institutions – such as ODIHR and the Council of Europe – which are doing great work in this field. In this spirit, I warmly welcome today’s Joint Day of Action.“

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