Dr. Moshe Kantor was re-elected last week as president of the European Jewish Congress (EJC).
Kantor, who ran unopposed, expressed gratitude for what was seen as a resounding vote of confidence in his leadership by the representatives of Europe’s Jewish communities.
“In am honored and humbled by the support shown in my leadership by Jewish leaders and communities across the continent,” Kantor said.
“European Jewry is a thriving force in the global Jewish world, and we remain at the forefront of fighting antisemitism, defending Jewish tradition and reinvigorating Jewish communities and institutions," he said.
Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, was also re-elected as Chair of the Council.
In recent months, under Kantor’s leadership, the EJC has acted to provide support for Jewish communities and institutions, whether schools, community centers or other organizations vital to European Jewry, faced with the hard challenge of COVID-19.
“These have been very challenging times for European Jews,” Kantor said.
“I witness in my conversations with Jewish leaders, heads of state and decision-makers around the continent that despite the challenges of COVID-19 and rising anti-Semitism, European Jews are resolute and determined to continue working together to overcome these challenges and strengthen Jewish life in Europe.”
During the virtual General Assembly, leaders from 42 European Jewish communities also pledged new action to promote the implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.
European Jewish leaders were also briefed on the recent historic Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain by Ambassador of Israel to Belgium and Luxembourg Emmanuel Nachshon and Nancy Khedouri, a senior Jewish member of the National Assembly of Bahrain.
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Nancy Khedouri, Jewish member of the National Assembly of Bahrain
(Photo: Screenshot)
Khedouri praised her nation’s historic adoption of the IHRA definition on anti-Semitism and congratulated Kantor on his reelection.
“This is an important decision which should be welcomed by all. Bahrain is committed to combating all types of hate," she said.
"I applaud Dr. Kantor’s leadership on this and other issues and wish him many more years of concerted activity and success on behalf of the Jewish people.”