Statement by Dr. Moshe Kantor, President
European Jewish Congress

“As we assess the results of this week’s elections, one disturbing trend has already crystallized ; the gains made by extreme-right groups is a Europe-wide phenomenon. The success of the far-right and nationalistic parties that won seats in the elections on the basis of racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic platforms points to a clear erosion of tolerance and a clarion call to European officials to immediately engage in intercultural dialogue.

The European Jewish Congress is alarmed by the election results pointing to the foothold that the extreme right has gained throughout Europe. Moreover, the election of these candidates through the use of racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic campaigns belies a disturbing acquiescence of government to this type of incitement and a need for immediate action and education.

Also troubling is the fact that in many cases the extreme right did better in these elections than in 2004 - across Europe - without regard to ‘old guard’ or ‘new member state,’ or large nation or small. The success of such rabid groups as the Freedom Party in Austria (FPO), the British National Party and Jobbik in Hungary, among others, will sadly only serve to embolden those who espouse the dangerous concepts of extreme nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.

It is likely that there is no single cause for these parties’ disturbing success ; rather the ‘perfect storm’ of the world economic crisis, political apathy, Euro-skepticism and the radicalization of political parties which has elevated these groups to the European Parliament. No matter the reasons behind this alarming trend, it is clear that from the outset, the new European Parliament and European Commission will need to be vigilant and actively engaged in issues of tolerance and intercultural dialogue.

We take these disturbing trends and their implications seriously and hope that government officials do so as well. We hope that reason and good governance will prevail, rather than the fear-mongering exploited by the extreme right in their campaigns. There can simply be no tolerance for any elected officials or political parties to espouse racism or anti-Semitism in any form or under any circumstance.

On behalf of minority communities throughout Europe, we strongly urge the new European Parliament and European Commission to support the implementation and enforcement of comprehensive legislation dealing with racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Europeans of all backgrounds, ethnicities and religions are looking to our elected officials to unite, rather than divide us.”

The European Jewish Congress is the umbrella organization for the Jewish communities in Europe.