“We are not there yet” – MPs address growing UK antisemitism at summit in Vienna

Influential figures from politics, academia, sport, and culture came together in Vienna last week, united in their commitment to combat the rising tide of antisemitism worldwide.

The second annual summit hosted in Vienna by the European Leadership Network (ELNET) and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) focused on tackling the growing global threat of antisemitism.

Key outcomes included pledges to better document antisemitic incidents, address antisemitism across generations, and promote education on the Holocaust and Jewish culture, particularly at universites and through sports and social media.

David Hirsh, Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London, and co-founder of Engage, a campaign opposing academic boycotts of Israel, addressed the challenges Jews face in academia.

He highlighted that universities, often seen as spaces for open discussion, sometimes exclude Jewish voices, particularly in the field of sociology. He called for “safe spaces” to allow for serious discussions and the reevaluation of academic curricula to address antisemitism.

Hirsh said: “Universities should be places where voices are heard, but for Jews, particularly in sociology, that is often not the case. We need safe spaces to have serious discussions, and it’s time to rethink how academic curricula address antisemitism.”

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Sima Vaknin Gill, CAM Advisory Board Member and former Director General of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs in Israel, emphasised the need to address the growing threat of antisemitism at universities.

She stated: “At this summit, we agreed to develop comprehensive documentation to better understand the threat of antisemitism at universities. We will also intensify efforts to name and shame those who spread antisemitic rhetoric. Antisemitism must be fought across all age groups.”

 Ashley Lerner, CEO of Maccabi GB, moderated a panel discussing antisemitism in sports, particularly following recent incidents in Amsterdam. Lerner stressed the importance of tracking trends and holding authorities accountable, saying: “We need comprehensive data collection on antisemitism in sports.

"By tracking trends, we can hold authorities accountable and ensure a safer environment for athletes and fans alike. Education initiatives, especially for young people from Muslim backgrounds, are crucial for better understanding the Holocaust and Jewish communities.”

Kim Robin Stoller, Co-Founder and Board Chair of the International Institute for Education and Research on Antisemitism in Germany, moderated a session on social media and gaming.

In this session, attendees pledged to implement fines for users who publish antisemitic content. “Additionally, fines for non-compliant platform operators will be directed to NGOs fighting antisemitism.”

Joani Reid, MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, and Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Gateshead South, also spoke at the summit, underscoring the need for stronger actions against antisemitism.

Reid, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism, remarked: “We have made progress, but we are not there yet. We must have the courage to stand up and call out antisemitism wherever it appears. This cannot be the responsibility of the Jewish community alone.”

Hodgson praised efforts to address antisemitism within the Labour Party but emphasised the need for greater educational initiatives and government action.

The summit also featured a poignant address by Tomer Tzadik, a survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Tzadik told how he was shot three times while trying to flee the terrorist attack after leaving the Nova music festival.

He described seeking refuge in the woods for hours, drawing a chilling parallel to his grandfather Jacob, who survived the Holocaust after being shot three times while escaping a train bound for a concentration camp.

Other key figures speaking at the conference included Oriana Marie Kruger, Director of European Affairs at CAM, Carsten Ovens, CEO of Elnet, Shannon Seban, President of the Renaissance Party in Seine-Saint-Denis, and Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel's Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism.

Antisemitism remains a growing concern worldwide, with incidents reaching record levels. In the UK alone, 4,103 cases of anti-Jewish hate were recorded in 2023, a 147 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the Community Security Trust (CST).