Dear John,

I want to share an important new report with you that reveals how antisemitism is being wielded as a political weapon in Europe to attack opponents and whip up public anger. These attempts to politicize antisemitism may pose a threat to the future of European Jewish communities.

Given that one in four Europeans already harbors antisemitic beliefs, according to a 2019 ADL study, the addition of politicized antisemitism can lead Jews to question whether they have a future in some European countries.

The report, “Choosing Antisemitism,” looks at how governments and leaders, from both the left and right, are leveraging antisemitism, and demonstrates that the oldest hatred continues to be deployed as a political tool.

Why is this report important? While violent antisemitic attacks receive wide publicity — and rightly so — the politicization of antisemitism can also severely impact Jewish communities.

ALARMING EXAMPLES FROM ACROSS EUROPE

The British Jewish community provides a compelling example.

According to a poll in 2015, 11% of British Jews had considered emigrating. Jeremy Corbin then took over the leadership of the Labour party by embracing radical elements at the party’s left. Rapidly rising antisemitism within the party drove Jewish and allied MPs to quit Labour. A poll in 2019, just prior to the UK General Election, showed that 47% of British Jews said they would “seriously consider” leaving the country if Corbyn were to win the election.

In an example from across the political spectrum, Russia’s nationalist government led by President Vladimir Putin has engaged in a disinformation campaign against Ukraine. This campaign includes concocted and exaggerated accusations of antisemitism seeking to weaken Ukraine by painting a picture of a disintegrating society in which minorities are no longer safe. In addition to damaging Ukraine, the Russian accusations have politicized debate within the Ukrainian Jewish community about antisemitism.

TAKING ACTION AGAINST ANTISEMITISM

Our report includes recommendations, including pressure from other European governments, greater focus by nongovernment organizations and direct appeals to voters to reject antisemitic narratives. We are sharing these findings with the U.S. State Department, the European Commission and European governments, urging them to help prevent antisemitism from being used as a political tool.

Any appearance of antisemitism in politics — in Europe, in the United States or elsewhere — must be widely denounced. The best defense against the politicization of antisemitism is for all of us to bring vigilance and voice against this threat.

Thank you for speaking out alongside ADL.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO and National Director

ADL