ROME – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) participated
in the second annual Villa Vigoni – German Italian Center for European
Dialogue’s workshop on addressing and combating the spread of antisemitism and
criticism of Israel across Europe. Held from December 17 – 18 in Rome, the
high-level panel event convened academics, policymakers and Jewish
representatives from Germany and Italy.
In the wake of the terror attack at a Chanukah celebration
in Sydney, Australia claimed the lives of 15 Jewish attendees, the conference
discussed major security and political challenges facing global Jewry,
including how to address the social acceptance of antisemitism and anti-Zionism
across Europe, the security of Israel as a guiding principle of German foreign
policy, and the semantic challenges that Jewish leaders and representatives
face in navigating the complex reality of a post-October 7th world.
WJC’s Representative to the Holy See Viktor Eichner joined participants
in a roundtable discussion in which they shared their personal and professional
experiences in fighting the negative perception of Israel, increasing security
for Jewish institutions and individuals, and introducing motions to combat
antisemitism to the European Union. The roundtable also addressed the terror
attack on Sunday at a Chanukah event in Bondi Beach, Australia, analyzing the
core escalation of antisemitism both in the country and abroad. The discussion
also raised the need for policymakers to stop hate before it reaches such
drastic levels.
On the fourth night of Chanukah, the WJC and the Union of
Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) a Chanukah reception at the residence of the
German Ambassador to Italy, Dr. Thomas Bagger. The delegation joined members of
the local Jewish community in lighting the menorah at the Embassy for the first
time, as Ms. Noemi Di Segni, President of UCEI, and Viktor Eichner gifted a
Chanukia to the Ambassador.
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