EU Parliament president denounces ‘poison’ of antisemitism

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola warns that the spread of antisemitism cannot be ignored, citing wave of attacks on Jewish schools and synagogues.

By World Israel News Staff

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday called antisemitism “a poison” that “must be rooted out,” warning that Jewish life in Europe cannot remain dependent on fear, security barriers and armed protection.

Metsola spoke at a conference in Brussels focused on rising antisemitism across the continent.

“Antisemitism is a poison, and like any poison, it cannot be tolerated — it must be rooted out,” Metsola said. “Europe must be a place where Jewish people can live openly, safely, and without fear. Where wearing a kippah is not a risk, where children can go to school without armed guards, and where Jewish life can flourish again in every corner of our continent.”

The remarks came as European institutions continue to grapple with a rise in anti-Jewish hostility since the Hamas invasion of October 7, 2023.

A European Commission summary published in January said 47% of Europeans believe antisemitism has increased in their country over the last five years, while 69% said Middle East conflicts influence perceptions of Jews in their country.

Metsola has made similar appeals in recent weeks.

In March, after an attack on a synagogue in Liège, she said Europe “must be a place where Jewish people can live openly, freely and without fear,” adding that “Jewish life belongs in Europe.” The European Parliament later said it would continue “calling out antisemitism, and acting against it.”

The European Commission has also kept in place its 2021–2030 strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, and held follow-up working group meetings with member states and Jewish community representatives as part of that effort.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association, said the problem has moved beyond isolated incidents.

“We are witnessing not just a rise in antisemitism but the collapse of the sense of security for Jews across Europe,” he said, adding that when Jewish identity must be hidden and institutions require armed guards, “this is not a Jewish problem, this is a European failure.”

The speech also landed amid fresh concern over the scale of anti-Jewish violence worldwide.

An April 2026 study reported by the AP found that 2025 saw the highest number of deaths from antisemitic attacks in more than 30 years.