Across Europe, Faith Communities Stand Strong Against Antisemitism, Islamophobia and Xenophobia

In the wake of escalating violence in Israel and Gaza, we find ourselves in a moment of profound sorrow and heartbreak. While the number of victims keeps increasing, the consequences of the conflict are felt far beyond the region. Across Europe too, we are witnessing a distressing surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. 

These times are uniquely challenging for Muslims and Jews across Europe. We are all hurting. It is crucial, amidst heightened emotions, to remember that the true adversaries are violence and war, not each other. 

For years, we’ve tirelessly built coalitions across Europe, fostering understanding, respect, and friendship. Now, more than ever, we must stand united against hate. Our communities look to us for leadership, guidance, and solace. 

We unequivocally condemn and stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia, now more than ever. After the horror of the recent days, we all must show responsibility and care in choosing our words and actions. We can only advance protecting our communities while ensuring that we hear the pain of the other. 

At this time, we recommit to pursuing the interfaith relations that we have built. Continued interfaith cooperation is vital to our communities’ safety and intertwined futures. 

Together, we can counteract the forces of hate and violence and demonstrate clearly that friendship prevails over division. 

Signed,

Organisations

ACT Alliance EU

Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network

Beth Hillel Rome

Blanquerna Observatory on Media, Religion and Culture

Caritas Europa

Center for Cultural Dialogue – CCD

CESTA-Spájame

Diaconia ECCB – Center of Relief and Development

Diakonia ECCB – CNPS

EU-CORD

European Jewish Community Centre

Faiths In Tune

FestivALT Association

Habonim Dror

HIAS Europe

Islamic Relief Germany

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Jesuit Refugee Service Portugal

Jewish Representative Council of Ireland

Jüdische Gemeinde „haKochaw“ für den Kreis Unna K.d.ö.R.

Kehilat Sukkat Shalom / Progressiv Judendom i Stockholm

Kista Folkhögskola

LJY Netzer

MEERU | Abrir Caminho

Muslimernas förening i Nacka

Muslim Jewish Conference

New Horizons in British Islam

Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden

Quaker Council for European Affairs

Zaatar NGO

Individuals

João Alho

Rositsa Atanasova

Farzana Baduel

Mia Bogod

Roger Edmund Cassidy

Elinor Chohan

Rabbi Brian Doyle-Du Breuil

Amanda Figueras

Anna Handroo

Samia Hathroubi

Maria Kjerllsdotter Rydinger

Rabbi Rebecca Lillian

Dima Mahjoub

Joe Millis

Temir Naziri

Monique Nilsfors

Jon Rasmussen

Mabrouka Rayachi Mag. MA

Javeria Rizvi-Kabani

Amjad Saleem

Tuija Samila

Nic Schlagman

Michael Schudrich

Petr Sobalík

Isabel Tootill

Mikuláš Vymětal