Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, of the National Rally, at the March against anti-Semitism in Paris, November 12, 2023. (Credit: Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
The government of Israel, and in particular the Diaspora Affairs Minister Chikli, is promoting an international Conference to combat anti-Semitism for March 26-27. This decision appears to us to be commendable in light of the recent resurgence of violent attitudes and acts directed against Jewish individuals and institutions in several European countries.
Yet we learned with dismay that invitations to participate in this conference have been sent to parties of the European nationalistic and racist far right, from the Hungarian Fidesz to the Spanish Vox, the French Rassemblement National, and the Swedish Democrats. The French philosopher Bernard Henri Levy, who had already been invited, rejected the invitation. This was followed by Felix Klein, Germany’s commissioner for the fight against anti-Semitism. The UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis as well as the Board of deputies of British Jews decided not to attend the conference.
We find it inconceivable that the state of Israel which was founded as a refuge for persecuted Jews is now seeking the support of parties which are rooted in a long history of anti-Jewish hostility and persecution and whose political action is opposed to democracy, an open society and religious freedom.
For some time Israel and part of the Jewish world, in Europe and elsewhere, have sought the protection of such improper and opportunistic allies on the political right, in xenophobic movements or among fundamentalist Christians, in the name of support for Israel and common hostility to Islam. Such attitudes have caused deep fractures between Israel and the largest sections of Jewish communities in those countries, which are committed to the principles of democracy, the protection of minorities, and the universality of human rights.
We therefore side with those individuals and institutions which decided not to attend the conference, and we ask the organizers that invitations be rescinded to all individuals whose parties and organizations fail to respect such principles.
March 20, 2025
J-Link Response in support of JCall Europe re Conference on Antisemitism
J-Link, an International Network of progressive Jewish organizations, joins JCall in raising deep concerns about invitations extended to right-wing extremist groups. The proposed Conference in Israel undermines legitimate concerns about antisemitism that is rising worldwide.
The guest list to this Conference, rather than welcoming representatives with a history of policies respecting freedom of religion, protecting vulnerable minorities, enshrining democracy, human rights and freedom of choice and expression, is a blatant endorsement of exactly the opposite.
Antisemitism is real and as right-wing governments gain power, it is essential that Jews and other minorities speak out against legitimizing their dangerous views and empowering their leaders.
We join JCall Europe in asking that invitations be rescinded to all international guests whose parties or organizations fail to respect democratic principles.
Respectfully,
The J-Link Coordinating Committee
Barbara Landau (JSpaceCanada), Ken Bob (New Jewish Narrative, U.S.A.), Basil Dubb (JDI, South Africa), Giorgio Gomel (JCall Europe, Italy), Alon Liel (PWG, Israel), Shlomo Slutzky (J Amlat); Sebastian Levi (France), Ella Taylor Fagan (JLM, England)
J-Link is an international network of progressive Jewish organizations. We share a love of Israel and a commitment to democracy, human rights, religious pluralism, and a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We believe in the values enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, which promise “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.”
