ROME – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) participated in the second annual Villa Vigoni - German Italian Center for European Dialogue’s workshop on addressing and combating the spread of antisemitism and criticism of Israel across Europe. Held from December 17 – 18 in Rome, the high-level panel event convened academics, policymakers and Jewish representatives from Germany and Italy.
In the wake of the terror attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia claimed the lives of 15 Jewish attendees, the conference discussed major security and political challenges facing global Jewry, including how to address the social acceptance of antisemitism and anti-Zionism across Europe, the security of Israel as a guiding principle of German foreign policy, and the semantic challenges that Jewish leaders and representatives face in navigating the complex reality of a post-October 7th world.
WJC’s Representative to the Holy See Viktor Eichner joined participants in a roundtable discussion in which they shared their personal and professional experiences in fighting the negative perception of Israel, increasing security for Jewish institutions and individuals, and introducing motions to combat antisemitism to the European Union. The roundtable also addressed the terror attack on Sunday at a Chanukah event in Bondi Beach, Australia, analyzing the core escalation of antisemitism both in the country and abroad. The discussion also raised the need for policymakers to stop hate before it reaches such drastic levels.
On the fourth night of Chanukah, the WJC and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) a Chanukah reception at the residence of the German Ambassador to Italy, Dr. Thomas Bagger. The delegation joined members of the local Jewish community in lighting the menorah at the Embassy for the first time, as Ms. Noemi Di Segni, President of UCEI, and Viktor Eichner gifted a Chanukia to the Ambassador.
