“The old evil is once again rearing its head. There can be no place for the poison of antisemitism, especially in Europe,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said as she addressed an event lighting the fourth candle of Chanukah in the heart of the E.U. quarter of Brussels on Wednesday.
She spoke just days after Sunday’s terrorist shooting during a Chanukah event in Sydney, Australia, during which 15 people were murdered and many others wounded. A 16th victim later succumbed to their wounds.
“Chanukah teaches us that a small light can push back a great deal of darkness,” said von der Leyen. “This week, that lesson is sorely needed. I was devastated by the horrific shooting in Australia on Bondi Beach. It is simply heartbreaking.
“As I light the chanukiyah this year, my thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. May the memory of those who are lost be a blessing. And may these Chanukah lights remind us of the strength, resilience and courage of the Jewish community, in Australia, in Brussels, and around the world. We share your grief. And we stand with you,” von der Leyen said.
Wednesday’s event was organized by the European Jewish Community Centre together with the European Jewish Association.
“Today, too many Jews do not feel safe to light a chanukiyah in the window. Or wear a kippah in public. Or a Star of David around their necks. Many must walk past armed guards to attend the synagogue and worry about sending their children to school,” von der Leyen said.
“The old evil is once again rearing its head. There can be no place for the poison of antisemitism, especially in Europe. Freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom from fear—these are fundamental to our European Union,” she said.
Von der Leyen insisted that “Jewish history is European history. Jewish culture is European culture. And Jewish life must be able to flourish for Europe to flourish fully. This is something which is enshrined in our European Union.”
She said that the E.U. provides ongoing support for security at synagogues and other religious sites. “But more must be done to bring all communities to the same level of preparedness. So we will continue to invest in practical protection measures. Because praying should be a matter of belief, not an act of bravery.”
While the European Commission is also working to fight antisemitic speech online, von der Leyen announced that in January, “we will launch new measures to prevent and counter radicalization and antisemitic narratives so that hate no longer festers and spreads.
“One of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism is a bright, thriving Jewish community. One of the strongest antidotes is for this Jewish community to be present, to be seen. So, in addition to these protective measures, our union is supporting Jewish history, Jewish culture and education,” she added.
Von der Leyen concluded her remarks by mentioning that in 2026, the European Commission will announce the first winner of the Simone Veil Prize for European Jewish Cultural Heritage, a prize to celebrate Jewish cultural heritage and its central role in shaping European identity.
‘The Jewish people do not want to hide’
Before her, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, spoke of “a joyful celebration alongside sadness over the tragic attack in Sydney.
“We are not asking simply to be kept safe. We are asking governments to stop allowing danger to exist in the first place. The Jewish people do not want to hide. We do not want walls, barricades or constant security. We are asking fort he most basic responsibility of any government, to protect your citizens and stop those who threaten them,” Margolin said.
During its plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola and the entire assembly observed a moment of silence on Monday for the victims of the mass shooting in Australia.
“We were all shaken by the terror attack that took place yesterday at Bondi Beach during Chanukah celebrations in Sydney,” Metsola said.
“What should have been a moment of light, of gathering and of shared celebration for the Jewish community became a scene of brutal and mindless murder and violence,” she said, mentioning that a 10-year-old, Matilda, was among the victims, as well as 87-year-old Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor.
“I also want to recognize that we would be talking about countless more victims today if it were not for the bravery of 43-year-old shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, who, unarmed, ran into the gunfire and disarmed one of the terrorists. He was shot and is recovering in the hospital. He was really the light on that dark day,” she added to the applause of lawmakers.
The European Parliament “stands with the Jewish community of Australia and beyond. Antisemitism, religious hatred, violent extremism and terror have no place in our society, and we must do everything in our power to eradicate them,” Metsola said.
Originally published by the European Jewish Press.
