Holy See shares concerns over rising antisemitism in Europe
By Lisa Zengarini
The Holy See reiterated on Tuesday its concerns over rising anti-Semitic violence and attitudes in European countries, calling on member States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure the protection of Jewish communities from attacks, but also to prevent these crimes.
Speaking in Warsaw at a conference on combating anti-Semitism in the OSCE region, the Vatican Permanent Observer to the Organization highlighted the need to acknowledge that 鈥� despite many commitments adopted and activities carried out by OSCE states - no European member is immune to the scourge.
Anti-Semitism exacerbated by COVID-19 crisis
Msgr Janusz Urba艅czyk noted that the fact that attacks are perpetrated when the Jewish community gathers in the synagogue to pray 鈥渕ake them particularly heinous鈥�.
He then called attention to the sentiments and attitudes that are behind these attacks, noting that 鈥渁nti-Semitic attitude has been exacerbated during the current pandemic crisis through the spreading, especially on-line, of conspiracy theories and trivialization of the Holocaust鈥�, to which young people are particularly exposed.
Freedom of religion and security
Highlighting the 鈥渟tructural鈥� link between protecting freedom of religion and security and stability in the OSCE region, Msgr Urba艅czyk recalled that its member States have 鈥渁 common duty not only to guarantee the protection of Jewish communities (as well as of all religious communities) from attacks, but also to prevent ex ante these crimes.鈥�
Stemming online hate speech
Regarding prevention, the Vatican Observer said a specific attention should be paid to the role of the Internet service providers and social networking services, remarking that social media platforms have increased the spread of anti-Semitic hate speech and misinformation on an unprecedented scale.
The importance of education
The Vatican Observer went on to stress the need for a 鈥減roper educational approach鈥� to stem anti-Semitism and discrimination effectively and sustainably.
He remarked that education, especially at school 鈥減lays an important role in the promotion of religious freedom and non-discrimination鈥�, echoing Pope Francis鈥� words that education 鈥渋s one of the most effective ways of making our world and history more human.鈥�
He further noted, in this regard, that 鈥渋nteraction between students who belong to different religions is in itself a great help in understanding the unity of humankind鈥�.
A shared responsibility
Concluding, Msgr Urba艅czyk expressed the Holy See鈥檚 gratitude to the Polish OSCE Chairmanship for organizing the conference.
鈥淭his significant event,鈥� he said, 鈥渁lso reminds us of the shared responsibility to fight this reprehensible form of intolerance and discrimination.鈥�
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