Following the statement by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on the urgent need for immediate action against the rise in anti-Semitism, MEP Bert Jan Ruissen, who is also Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Israel, said on behalf of the ECR Group:

“Hatred of Jews goes hand in hand with hatred of the State of Israel. We have to fight both. Otherwise, our fight against anti-Semitism is by definition a lost battle. What is needed now is leadership and determination. A zero-tolerance policy towards anti-Semitism.”

Ruissen said he was also stunned by the mass open support for Hamas and terrorist organisations in European cities:

“I really don’t understand how some countries still allow demonstrations with very offensive slogans that essentially call for the expulsion of Jews from their own country. This simply cannot be tolerated.

“The EU should ban organisations in Europe that openly sympathise with Hamas. The ECR Group has tabled written questions to include the organisation Samidoun on the list of terrorist organisations. I would also draw your attention to a recent study by UN Watch, which shows that various teachers employed by UNWRA have openly supported the heinous actions of Hamas.”