The European Union announced on Thursday it was planning to release a detailed action plan aimed at combating anti-Semitism, as part of €1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) anti-racism initiative meant to "support fundamental rights across the bloc."
According to the European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, the initiative "will provide a comprehensive framework to complement and support member states’ effort on preventing and combating anti-Semitism, educating on Holocaust remembrance and fostering Jewish life in Europe."
The question of how to tackle these issues came to the forefront of the EU's agenda after a rise in racist and anti-Semitic behavior was noted in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.
EU leaders signed a declaration in December calling for European governments to enforce harsher punishments for online hate crimes and anti-Semitism.
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Anti-Semitic image on Facebook alleging a connection between Jews and coronavirus
(Photo: Screenshot)
"For the next seven years, we will have a new set of standing Citizens Equality Rights and Values program, which will seek to protect and promote open rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law," Schinas said.
The new program is set to receive €1.55 billion in funding, up from the previous €640 million, making it “the biggest ever EU program for supporting fundamental rights inside the EU,” he added.