AJC Joined by 75+ Global Jewish Organizations in Expressing Support for Katharina von Schnurbein

Organizations representing 34 countries reject attacks alleging bias, tout von Schnurbien's commitment and effectiveness

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.

In the letter,the groups praised von Schnurbein's efforts, saying she "has worked tirelessly and with great integrity to strengthen European policies and initiatives that protect Jewish communities and ensure that Jewish life can flourish across our continent. Her mandate has always been grounded in European values, democratic principles, and the urgent need to defend the Jewish community against hatred and discrimination."

AJC and the signatories of the letter mobilized a response to a targeted defamation campaign against von Schnurbein which has questioned her work and integrity. The organizations attest that von Schnurbein "has become not only a trusted advisor but also a model for governments and communities in North America and elsewhere, which now face similar challenges" and that it is "deeply troubling to see her accused of 'bias' simply because she refuses to trivialize or ignore threats against Jews. To attack her for defending Jewish dignity and security is, in effect, to challenge the European Union's own credibility in combating antisemitism."

The full text of the letter is below and a PDF of the letter, including the full list of signatories, can be found here.

Dear President von der Leyen,

We, the undersigned, Jewish organisations and communities across Europe and beyond, write to express our 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.

Over the past decade, Ms. von Schnurbein has worked tirelessly and with great integrity to strengthen European policies and initiatives that protect Jewish communities and ensure that Jewish life can flourish across our continent. Her mandate has always been grounded in European values, democratic principles, and the urgent need to defend the Jewish community against hatred and discrimination.

Ms. von Schnurbein has pioneered innovative methods to mobilise governments and strengthen Jewish communities in the face of persistent antisemitic hostility and attacks.

The EU Strategy on combatting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life that she has spearheaded has been an unprecedented milestone in addressing the scourge of antisemitism.

She has brought the EU closer to small Jewish communities and organizations often disconnected from the policy process and has created transnational synergies and fora for engagement for civil society.

She has become not only a trusted advisor but also a model for governments and communities in North America and elsewhere, which now face similar challenges.

In all her work she has listened to the lived realities of Jewish communities, including the tsunami of Israel-related antisemitism that has swept throughout Europe and the world since Oct. 7 2023, which she has been steadfast in addressing.

It is therefore deeply troubling to see her accused of "bias" simply because she refuses to trivialize or ignore threats against Jews. To attack her for defending Jewish dignity and security is, in effect, to challenge the European Union's own credibility in combating antisemitism.

Please be assured that both in her person and through her office, Ms. von Schnurbein has been a principled, thoughtful, and steadfast ally and friend to Jewish communities across Europe.

There are few, if any, who have shown the same level of commitment, insight, and effectiveness in this role. Her work on behalf of the European Commission has set a strong example-one that many other governments and envoys around the world have looked to as a model. What she has achieved over the past decade is both significant and unprecedented. We believe her leadership is essential, and we trust this will continue in the years ahead.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

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