As of November 2023, at least 24 countries had envoys to combat antisemitism.[1] In 2019, the Forum of Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA), which operates under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress, was founded.[2][3]
Australia
editOn 9 July 2024, the Australian government appointed lawyer and business executive Jillian Segal as the nation's inaugural Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.[4] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the appointment as a "step in easing the tensions that we see playing out [in Australia] as a result of the devastating conflict in the Middle East".[4]
Canada
editIn 2020, former attorney-general Irwin Cotler was appointed Canada's first special envoy for Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism. He served until October 2023 and was replaced by diplomat Deborah Lyons. Lyons is to serve a two-year period.[5]
European Union
editIn October 2015, the European Commission created the new Antisemitism coordinator position in response to rising antisemitism in Europe.[6] As a career EC bureaucrat, German civil servant Katharina von Schnurbein was appointed by then First Vice-president Frans Timmermans for the position in December 2015.[7]
Her key responsibilities are to liaise with European Jewish communities and bodies and to propose and implement policies to address Antisemitism, promote Holocaust education, and foster Jewish life.[6]
Greece
editAs of September 2022, Ambassador Dimitris Yannakakis was Special Envoy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Combating Antisemitism and Promoting Holocaust Remembrance.[8]
Israel
editIn April 2022, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid appointed Noa Tishby to the unpaid post of envoy to combat antisemitism within the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Members of the U.S. Congress and Jewish organizations welcomed the appointment. The envoy did not have a staff or budget.[9] Tishby was removed from the position in April 2023 and replaced by human rights lawyer Michal Cotler-Wunsch. Wunsch advocates for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.[10]
Romania
editHistorian Alexandru Muraru was appointed to the new position of the Romanian government's special representative for promoting the policies of memory, combating anti-Semitism, and xenophobia in January 2021.[11] He served in this position until 2023.[12]
United Kingdom
editTheresa May created the UK Government Adviser on Antisemitism in 2019. Former Labour MP John Mann was appointed for a five year term expiring July 1, 2024. The role is unpaid, but the office receives £100,000 per year to cover travel and expenses. It also receives support from the Antisemitism Policy Trust. During his tenure, Mann produced two reports, including "Anti-Jewish Hatred" and "Understanding Jewish Experience in Higher Education".[13]
United States
editThe Global Antisemitism Review Act of 2004 established the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, headed by the Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism (SEAS), within the Department of State. The first Special Envoy was sworn in in 2006.[14] The Special Envoy was elevated to the rank of ambassador in 2021.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Kampeas, Ron (2023-11-07). "Antisemitism envoys from 24 countries call on governments to ensure Jews' safety". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Klein, Zvika (2023-11-06). "World envoys stand together in condemning antisemitism post-Hamas attack". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "A unified stand against online hate: UNESCO hosts International meeting to combat antisemitism". UNESCO. 2023-10-24. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ a b Albanese, Anthony; Giles, Andrew (9 July 2024). "Special envoy to combat Antisemitism" (Press release). Australian Government. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
- ^ Kirkup, Kristy (2023-10-16). "Ottawa announces special envoy on antisemitism and pledges new law on online hate". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ a b Sirkus, Thomas (27 January 2016). "Q&A: EU Anti-Semitism Envoy Katharina von Schnurbein". Moment. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Junger, Rifka (23 December 2018). "Interview with Ms. Katharina von Schnurbein, European Coordinator on Combating Anti-Semitism". Hamodia. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Joint statement from special envoys for Holocaust issues on the anniversary of the massacre at Babyn Yar and on Russian actions in Ukraine". German Federal Foreign Office. 2022-09-29. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Kornbluh, Jacob (2022-04-11). "Noa Tishby, Israel's new envoy, says anti-Zionism is antisemitism "100%"". The Forward. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Israel names Michal Cotler-Wunsh as antisemitism envoy". Jewish News Syndicate. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Mutler, Alison (2021-05-17). "Anti-Semitic Incidents Put Focus On Romania's Dark Role During Holocaust". Radio Free Europe. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Bachner, Michael (2023-08-23). "Israeli envoy meets head of Romanian party accused of antisemitism, drawing rebuke". Times of Israel. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Riley, Henry (2024-03-06). "Government considering sacking anti-Semitism tsar Lord Mann leaving Jewish community 'concerned'". LBC. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ Baum, Steven (2016). Antisemitism in North America: New World, Old Hate. Brill. p. 283. ISBN 978-9004307131. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Arno (2024-04-02). "Amid budget cuts, Congress boosts funding for antisemitism envoy". The Forward. Retrieved 27 April 2024.