EAJC Chairman of the Board, Aaron G. Frenkel, met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković

22/10/2023

EAJC Chairman of the Board, Aaron G. Frenkel, participated in the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee meeting in Zagreb, Croatia on October 17.

Jewish communal leaders from more than 40 nations gathered last week in Zagreb to weigh their next steps in responding to the terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel and expressed solidarity with the people of the Jewish State.

As part of the event, the WJC Executive Committee delegation met with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.

“The government of Croatia stands united and in solidarity with Israel. We have strongly condemned the terrorist crimes of Hamas and its murder of civilians, including women and children,” said Plenković.

“As we continue to voice our support to Israel, we must also do so for Jewish communities around the world. Jewish citizens must feel comfortable to practice their faith, and the Croatian government will do everything possible to protect our Jewish community,” added the Prime Minister.

Thank you Ambassador @lauder_ronald for holding the Executive Committee meeting of the @WorldJewishCong in Zagreb. @VladaRH stands with Israel and the Jewish community in 🇭🇷. We continue our efforts in combating antisemitism and countering Holocaust distortion.@TheIHRA pic.twitter.com/1HJqo3oERg

— Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic) October 17, 2023

“On behalf of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress leaders, please accept my gratitude and appreciation to the leaders of Croatia for expressing solidarity with Israel and taking a firm stand against terrorism. These days we need a voice of the civilized world condemning the inhuman brutality of Hamas terrorists. It is also a vulnerable time for Jewish communities outside Israel. In given conditions, we have to take precautions and strengthen the security of the Jewish communities worldwide, while strictly prosecuting any hate manifestation and violence toward Jews or the Jewish State. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is ready to assist any legal process in any country of our region, aiming to ban the Hamas terrorist organization and outlaw its supporters. So, we call on the heads of Jewish communities, state and municipal leaders to initiate and advance the anti-terror legislation. Now is the time!” – said EAJC Chairman of the Board, Aaron G. Frenkel.

Read full address to the WJC Executive Committee:

We sincerely appreciate your proactive approach to fighting antisemitism in all its manifestations by adopting an IHRA definition of antisemitism this year, supporting the Jewish community, and honoring its history.

Now, in these most challenging days for the people of Israel, when the death toll of the atrocious terrorist attacks on our citizens rises daily, and we get more and more horrifying testimonies, we need a voice of the civilized world condemning the inhuman brutality of Hamas terrorists.

It is also a vulnerable time for Jewish communities outside Israel. In addition to the horrors committed in Israel, Hamas terrorists are determined to incite hatred toward Jews worldwide and encourage a wave of violence.

In given conditions, we have to act rapidly, taking precautions and strengthening the security of the Jewish communities worldwide, as well as strictly prosecuting any hate manifestation and violence toward Jews or the Jewish State.

Not only that, we see lots of social media campaigns supporting Hamas, legitimating their actions, and picturing them as so-called ‘freedom fighters’. We still have to catch up on it and devote much effort to social media advocacy and the fight against terror legitimization.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is ready to assist any legal process in any country of our region, aiming to ban the Hamas terrorist organization and outlaw its supporters. So, we call on the heads of Jewish communities, state and municipal leaders to initiate and advance the anti-terror legislation. Now is the time!”