The European Union will release a detailed action plan later this year aimed at combating anti-Semitism, spokesperson Margaritis Schinas announced on Tuesday.
The strategy “will provide a comprehensive framework to complement and support member states’ effort on preventing and combating anti-Semitism, educating on Holocaust remembrance and fostering Jewish life in Europe,” said Schinas, as quoted by the pan-European media network Euractiv.
E.U. leaders signed a declaration last year that called on European governments to enforce harsher punishments for online hate crimes and anti-Semitism.
“For the next seven years, we will have a new set of standing Citizens Equality Rights and Values program, which will seek to protect and promote open rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law,” said Schinas.
The new program is set to receive $1.8 billion in funding, making it “the biggest-ever E.U. program for supporting fundamental rights inside the E.U.,” added Schinas.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that the E.U. and the greater international community needs to “seize the moment” by supporting efforts against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance around the world.
