Director General of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Haim Ben-Yaakov stressed in his statement, addressing the participants of SECCA in Bucharest:“Gradually, it is realized that anti-Semitism is not only a problem of Jews and Israel but a universal problem of humanity as well. Many states have appointed special representatives to deal with this outrageous issue, and now in Bucharest, which is holding the rotating presidency of the European Council, the first joint meeting of the directors of European communities, ombudsmen and special representatives to combat anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia is held. We hope sincerely hope that governments will take strict steps in the fight against this shameful phenomenon.”

The first International Meeting of Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism brought together more than 30 special representatives and coordinators to combat anti-Semitism and 50 executive directors of Jewish community organizations from 44 countries.

The forum was also attended by the coordinator of the European Commission to Combat Anti-Semitism Katharina von Schurnbein; US Special Representative for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Alan Carr; authorized by the Government of Germany to combat anti-Semitism Felix Klein; Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the World Jewish Congress Robert Singer; Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Mark Weizman; the UN Special Rapporteur on National Minorities Fernand de Varennes.

The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress calls on state leaders to take a firm stand and undertake necessary steps to combat this shameful phenomenon.