Europe Honors Holocaust Victims But Fails to Protect Jews, Leader Warns

Europe excels at commemorating Holocaust victims but repeatedly fails to protect its current Jewish population, warned Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), at an international conference in Krakow. Amid rising violence, strengthening extremist movements, and political polarization across the continent, Margolin accused European governments of a "unbearable gap" between their Holocaust remembrance rhetoric and their actions against those threatening Jews today. "Enough with statements. Enough with excuses. It's time for action," Margolin urged European leaders, demanding equal protection and the fundamental right to walk freely, study without threats, practice faith openly, and live as Jews without hiding their identity. The conference, titled "Remembering the Past, Protecting the Future," is attended by over 120 ministers, parliament members, diplomats, and Jewish leaders. It focuses on the growing threat to Jewish communities, rising political extremism, and the role of social media companies in combating online antisemitism, with participation from Microsoft and Meta executives.

Margolin criticized the disconnect between Europe's solemn Holocaust memorial ceremonies and the reality of Jews fearing to display Jewish symbols in public. He questioned how Europe could claim to have learned from Auschwitz if Jews are again afraid to identify as Jewish in its cities. He stressed that hate should not be disguised as activism, threats as legitimate protest, or violence as politically justified. The safety of Jews, he stated, is non-negotiable, regardless of the circumstances.

He called on European governments to fully support law enforcement, the judiciary, and universities in enforcing anti-antisemitism laws, regardless of the source of the hatred, whether from the far-right, far-left, or extremist religious groups. Margolin clarified that while criticism of Israel can be legitimate if not applied with a double standard, it can never justify threats against Jews. Similarly, the right to protest does not grant immunity to those inciting violence or terrorizing Jewish communities.

Among the notable attendees was Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who spoke alongside Margolin and EJA Director of Strategy Tal Ravina. Pahlavi condemned the Iranian regime's Holocaust denial and threats against Jewish people, highlighting that the regime's oppression extends to its own citizens. He asserted that the Iranian people are the regime's primary victims and stand with the Jewish people against a common enemy. Pahlavi warned that the Iranian regime poses a direct threat to European security and that appeasement has failed, calling for European governments to close Iranian embassies, expel diplomats, and act against the regime's illicit finances.

Israeli Ambassador to Poland Yaakov Finkelstein emphasized Europe's responsibility, stating that while the past cannot be changed, the future is in their hands. He stressed that combating antisemitism and xenophobia requires not only remembrance and education but also effective legislation and enforcement. Ellen van Praagh, Chairwoman of the Inter-regional Rabbinate in the Netherlands, shared her personal experience of feeling unsafe as a Jew in the Netherlands since October 7th, citing the cancellation of a Jewish exhibition and the increasing visibility of antisemitism. The delegation is scheduled to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau for a memorial ceremony, where Margolin urged participants to translate remembrance into tangible action by demanding that governments ensure those who threaten Jews face consequences, transforming "Never Again" from a slogan into a fulfilled responsibility.