Rabbi Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), has issued a stark warning that Jewish communities across Europe are feeling increasingly vulnerable, with many choosing to emigrate due to a growing wave of antisemitism and inadequate governmental response, reports Israel National News.
In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Margolin discussed the results of a recent survey that revealed a deeply troubling attitude among the European public. Despite the marked rise in antisemitic incidents, 82% of Europeans surveyed said they did not believe combating antisemitism should be a governmental priority.
“This figure lays bare the reason so many governments fail to act,” Margolin stated. “Today’s leaders are driven more by political calculus than by moral obligation. Their inaction is allowing antisemitism to flourish.”
The survey also showed that over half of the respondents admitted their view of Jews had deteriorated since Hamas’s October 7th terror attacks on Israel. Alarmingly, more than 20% blamed Jews in their own countries for the ongoing conflict, demonstrating a dangerous pattern of scapegoating Jewish communities for events far beyond their borders.
“One in five Europeans is holding their Jewish neighbours responsible for a war thousands of kilometres away,” Margolin emphasised. “This is no longer just antisemitism—it’s collective punishment and a serious threat to Jewish life.”
In response, the EJA is demanding urgent, tangible action from European governments. Rabbi Margolin called for increased security at Jewish institutions, compulsory education on the Holocaust and antisemitism, the appointment of special prosecutors to tackle hate crimes, and the formal adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
“These measures are not new. The frameworks already exist. What’s missing is political will,” he said.
The impact of unchecked antisemitism is already being felt, with Jewish emigration on the rise. “When people don’t feel safe, they look for safety elsewhere,” Margolin said, noting that a growing number of Jews are choosing to relocate to Israel.
“If this climate continues, we should fully expect more Jews to leave their home countries. The writing is on the wall.”
Photo credit: Yoav Dudkevitch
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