Anti-Semitism continues to grow - and we will continue to do everything we can to curb it Israel today

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is dedicated to an honest look at the past.

It is an opportunity to understand how such evil was possible, and also an opportunity to pay tribute to the 6 million souls lost during the darkest hour of human history.

On a day like this, it is no less important to think about the future.

We undertake, every year anew, to continue our efforts to commemorate the Holocaust and to act against its denial and distortion.

Last week, the UN General Assembly confirmed the promise to fight tirelessly against anti-Semitism, in all its forms, and we promise to do so as much as possible in Europe and around the world.

But high words are not enough, they need to be applied in deeds.

That is why last October the European Commission presented the first and most comprehensive strategy ever to combat anti-Semitism and cultivate Jewish life.

This is a possible plan of action, which describes the practical steps we are about to take in order to prevent anti-Semitism, ensure and nurture Jewish life and promote the memory of the Holocaust.

This program will work to curb online anti-Semitism, secure public places and places of worship, strengthen the legal framework and more.

We will not stand idly by when the words of hatred and violent acts increase again.

With the support of France, which took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, the European Commission is expected to start implementing its new strategy, and EU member states have also pledged to adjust their national anti-Semitic programs by the end of the year.

France, one of the member states of the European Union, was one of the most active in the fight against anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial, through a dedicated team of scholars and judges.

Unfortunately, anti-Semitism, known as the oldest hatred, continues to grow within our societies.

The Corona plague has shown how antisemitic prejudices can resurface, spark new conspiracy theories and create many hate speeches online - and offline.

The distortion of the Holocaust not only paves the way for denial and anti-Semitism, it also feeds dangerous forms of nationalism that are a threat to democracy.

We will continue to fight this in a variety of ways, including legal means.

Holocaust denial or gross contempt is prohibited by the European Union, and all member states are obliged to include this prohibition in their national laws.

Today the whole of Europe is united in remembering the darkness of the Holocaust.

European Parliament President David Sassuli, who passed away earlier this month, said during his last visit to Israel in January 2020: "The EU was formed in the shadow of Auschwitz, to reunite Europe and ensure that the horrors of World War II can never happen again."

We will do whatever it takes to fulfill this sacred task.

Dimitar Chenchev is the EU Ambassador to Israel,

Eric Danon is the French Ambassador to Israel

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