A Few Minutes with Katharina von Schnurbein

FUTURE FOCUS “We are really at a crossroad now in how we can make sure that the young generation will understand what the Holocaust meant for Europe and the role of the creation of the European Union as a project of peace so we can say Never Again” says von Schnurbein “To really create that bridge going forward so that we aren’t just looking back”

S ince early 2015 Katharina von Schnurbein has held the post of the European Commission’s Coordinator on Combating Anti-Semitism. A German national Von Schnurbein works with EU Member States the European Parliament all religions and faith groups civil society organizations and academia to strengthen policy responses to antisemitism and address hate speech on the Internet. Jacob Kornbluh caught up with her on the sidelines of last week’s World Jewish Congress in New York.

Does Marine Le Pen’s second-place finish in the first round of the French presidential election strengthen Europe’s far right and does this make your job that much harder?

Clearly the whole rise of populism has created an increase of hatred. Hateful acts have been recorded across Europe with regard to anti-Semitism but also with regard to other hate crimes. This is cause for great worry. It stems from a rhetoric that basically rejects the other. This is one of the biggest challenges for our societies today whether it is against Jews or against Muslims. One must understand that fighting this brand of populism is a responsibility for all of those who stand solidly on democratic values if we want to protect our societies to hold together. This hatred will not stay in one corner. Sooner or later it always spills over. This is also why fighting anti-Semitism is not only a responsibility for the Jews. It’s a responsibility for society at large.