Debate on combating antisemitism during the EP plenary session (31/05-01/06/2017) in Brussels. Statements by Matti MAASIKAS, Maltese Presidency, Vera JOUROVA, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Branislav SKRIPEK (ECR, SK), Juan Fernando LOPEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Heinz K. BECKER (EPP, AT) and Barbara SPINELLI (GUE/NGL, IT).&nbsp; &nbsp;

Brussels

debate

plenary session

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

LÓPEZ AGUILAR, Juan Fernando (S&D, ES)

ŠKRIPEK, Branislav (ECR, SK)

SPINELLI, Barbara (GUE/NGL, IT)

fight against antisemitism (T)

BECKER, Heinz K. (EPP, AT)

Combating antisemitism: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Matti MAASIKAS, Maltese Presidency , The EU has adopted specific legislation on contacting intolerance and hatred. It's the 2008 framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia. This decision outlaws Holocaust denial and anti-Semitic hate speech insight into violence. In particular it prohibits condoning denying on grossly trivializing the Holocaust by means of criminal law.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Increasing fear and high rates of verbal and physical violence against ethnic, religious and other minorities across Europe are a major concern and at the same time it's our duty not only to discuss it but to come with solutions. Data show a clear spike in anti-Semitic incidents; more than one incident per day in Austria and three incidents per day in the United Kingdom in 2016. In both cases the highest numbers ever recorded. We are particularly worried about discrimination and harassment against Jewish youngsters who are more likely to experience anti-Semitism at schools and universities. Hostile environment in schools will put the next generation at risk of exclusion. All of us collectively and individually have the duty to fight against intolerance and hatred, and reject all its expressions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Branislav &#352;KRIPEK (ECR, SK), Jewish people in Europe have the right to live freely without fear. The state of Israel has the rights exist and protect itself, any kind of questioning of this legitimacy cannot be part of debate in this house, nor anywhere else. I call my colleagues in the first place to unite and give a strong political message to the world. Any kind of anti-Semitism subtle or explicit has to be rejected.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Juan Fernando L&#211;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), It is essentially the European of fundamental rights agency in its reports that says that I have been a 44% increase in France, Belgium, Hungary the United Kingdom and Austria and that's an increase in anti-Semitic attack. So we need to show solidarity. We want to see a working definition of anti-Semitism which isn't a legally binding but which has been approved by the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

SOUNDBITE (German), Heinz K. BECKER (EPP, AT), More and more member states need to be convinced to follow the example of the UK and also in my country of Austria and to have a single definition, throughout the EU of what anti-semitism is. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition is having a solid basis for bringing of the perpetrators to justice, with a clear to jurisdiction. I make an appeal to all MEP's , here in the EP to back this resolution while voting.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Barbara SPINELLI (GUE/NGL, IT), My group is aware of rising the anti-Semitic actions in Europe , but it's profoundly against the definition of anti-Semitism which has been borrowed from the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) because it includes things that shouldn't be included, the critics to Israel. This inclusion is a trap because it hampers the freedom of expression and a large number of the Jewish diaspora are included here too, because it insidiously suggested the sources of anti-Semitism aren&rsquo;t in the look of the anti-Semite, but in the persons locked at, who might be against Israel, or in opposition.