Press Releases and Statements

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, and the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF), the organization representing Europe’s largest Jewish community, today announced the signing of a new partnership agreement, formalized in Paris on the occasion of the CRIF’s 40th annual Dinner, to deepen transatlantic coordination in combating antisemitism and defending democratic values.

Recognized for his national and international leadership, Pace University President Marvin Krislov has begun work as a Fulbright Specialist —hosted by AJC Paris—to help identify the most effective ways French and American leaders can stem a rising tide of antisemitism.

Belgium’s announcement of its intention to recognize a Palestinian state is, like similar pronouncements from other nations, counterproductive to the stated goal of achieving a two-state solution, even with Brussels making clear that such recognition is dependent upon the fulfillment of specific, well-defined conditions.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) and more than 75 Jewish organizations across 34 countries today expressed their “unequivocal support and appreciation for Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, in light of recent unfounded and pernicious criticism” in a letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, strongly opposes the German government’s decision to impose a partial arms embargo on Israel and urges Berlin to reconsider.

Today’s announcement by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the United Kingdom intends to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state in September—unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and meets a list of other one-sided conditions—is deeply alarming. It sends a chilling and dangerous message in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, massacre: that terrorism, mass murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping are viable means of achieving political objectives.

A coalition of leading American Jewish organizations, including ADL (Anti-Defamation League), American Jewish Committee (AJC), American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), B’nai B’rith International, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, UJA-Federation of New York and WJC (World Jewish Congress), today declined an invitation to meet with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.

Today’s announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron to formally and unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood without any preconditions at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September comes at an extremely troubling time, with Hamas continuing to reject proposals for a ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) strongly condemns the antisemitic demonstrations and Holocaust denial that marred today’s commemoration of the Jedwabne massacre.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, announced a new Fulbright Specialist Program, a cutting-edge initiative focused on building a future where young people on both sides of the Atlantic grow up in societies where antisemitism is no longer normalized and where democratic ideals flourish.

Today, American Jewish Committee (AJC) Director of International Jewish Affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker met with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin during his official visit to Washington to directly address concerns about antisemitism and the demonization of Israel in Ireland, seen as one of the most problematic countries in Europe. AJC, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has been in close touch with Ireland’s Jewish community as the situation has worsened following Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. ADL Senior Vice President for International Affairs, Ambassador Marina Rosenberg, also participated in the meeting.

More than 40 Jewish and non-Jewish elected officials, leaders, and organizations from across the EU joined American Jewish Committee (AJC) in signing a letter urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and other EU Council members to prioritize combating antisemitism. The letter calls for this issue to be central to the agenda during the European Council Meetings on December 19 and highlights the need for a holistic response as a key priority for the incoming European Commission.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, is today calling for immediate action from European government ministers in response to surging and increasingly violent antisemitism on the continent. To protect Jews in Europe - and the European way of life - AJC is calling for an emergency high-level meeting of relevant ministers from across Europe and for these officials to implement new enforcement, protection, and justice-related actions in the fight against antisemitism.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the nonpartisan global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has urged the Lithuanian Social Democrats leader and likely next Prime Minister, Gintautas Paluckas, to reverse his plans to enter into a coalition with the antisemitic Dawn of the River Neman party.

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, is horrified by the violent, antisemitic assaults on Israeli and Jewish fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team that took place in Amsterdam. This modern-day pogrom reflects a broader rise in antisemitic violence across Europe since October 7 – fueled not only by an anti-Israel political ideology and extremist interpretations of Islam, but also by the rhetoric and complacency of some European leaders. Symbolically, the attacks were a chilling reminder of Europe’s darkest chapters on the very eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht on November 9.

As antisemitic intimidation, harassment, and violence rise on university campuses in the U.S. and Europe, American Jewish Committee (AJC) joined European and American Jewish community leaders and government officials for the third annual European Conference on Antisemitism, to assess the threat to Jewish students and civic order, and urge comprehensive action by campus administrators.

American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Paris office released preliminary findings of its Survey of Antisemitism in France 2024 which showed that younger French people are more likely to hold antisemitic beliefs and French Jews under 25 years old are more likely to be the target of antisemitic incidents. Yet, even with rising antisemitism, the survey also found profound resilience among French Jews who are overwhelmingly embracing their Jewish and Zionist identities, with nearly three-quarters of French Jews saying that the October 7 massacre strengthened their Zionist convictions (73%) and their Jewish identity (71%).

American Jewish Committee will work with the European Jewish Congress to help European Jewish communities tackle rising antisemitism and bring more attention to looming threats and foster a more vibrant Jewish life on the Continent.

The Transatlantic Friends of Israel (TFI)—the interparliamentary, cross-party network spearheaded by the American Jewish Committee (AJC)—launched its Italian chapter to strengthen the ties between Europe, and specifically Italy, the United States, Canada, and Israel. TFI Italy Chair Senator Marco Scurria announced the launch in the Italian Senate with the support of 16 bicameral lawmakers from Fratelli d'Italia, Lega, Forza Italia, Noi Moderati, and Partito Democratico.