Announcement of National Strategy for Combating Anti-Semitism

On Tuesday, 6 December and Wednesday, 7 December, the National Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism (NCAB) will be organising the third meeting of the European working group on combating anti-Semitism in The Hague. It’s the first time the meeting will be held somewhere other than Brussels.

At the conference, the Minister of Justice and Security, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, will pledge to, in the coming year, present a national strategy for combating anti-Semitism. The European Commission presented its strategy for combating anti-Semitism in October 2021.

By organising the working group in The Hague, we want to show that the Netherlands is taking the problem of anti-Semitism seriously. Besides the national coordinators from the various member states and representatives from Jewish communities, the conference will also be attended by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas. Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius will open the conference.

Quotes are provided below from Vice-President Schinas, Minister Yesilgöz and Eddo Verdoner, the National Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission:

“Anti-Semitism is incompatible with everything that the European Union represents, our model of society, our values and our way of life. A year ago we took a historic step by introducing the very first EU strategy to combat all types of anti-Semitism. We now need to work together and scale up our efforts across the EU to turn policy into action. I applaud the Netherlands for taking the initiative to host this working group, bringing together national authorities and Jewish organisations, and for starting work on a National Strategy for Combating Anti-Semitism. This is a sign of our unity and of our determination to ensure that Jewish life can continue to thrive as part of diverse and inclusive societies, both within Europe and beyond.”

Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, Minister of Justice and Security:

“On 6 October, I submitted to the House of Representatives the work plan produced by our National Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism. Next year, I will be presenting a national strategy for combating anti-Semitism based on this work plan and on further consultations with young Jewish people, Holocaust survivors and international representatives.”

Eddo Verdoner, National Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism:

“The need for this is clear. Both within the Netherlands and beyond, overt anti-Semitism is on the rise, and not just in the fringes of society. Even in politics and the entertainment industry, it no longer seems to be taboo. But anti-Semitism undermines democracy. This meeting, and the announcement of a National Strategy, sends a strong message that we cannot ignore the problem any longer.”