Debate: Combating the normalisation of far-right and far-left discourses including antisemitism
Date: TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2023
Speaker: Margaritis Schinas
Language: EN

We must fight against the normalisation of extremist narratives with every means at our disposal because, as we have witnessed time and again, the distance between a racist or anti-Semitic post on social media to a violent attack on a European street is often tragically short.  To face this challenge from the Commission who have been supporting with every means Member States and practitioners to better understand and prevent the spread of these extremist ideas.  First, through the radicalisation awareness network, then through the EU internet forum, we are providing a collaborative environment for EU governments, the Internet industry and other partners to address malicious and illegal content online.  We cooperate with major IT companies and platforms through the code of conduct on countering illegal hate speech online.  And the Terrorist Content Online Regulation provided us with a robust framework to swiftly remove terrorist content online while protecting fundamental rights and the freedom of speech.  Finally, through our landmark legislation, the Digital Services Act, we now have in place the strongest ever EU wide legislation to regulate online platforms, including as regards notice and action obligation and content moderation practices.  Honourable Members, we are grateful to this Parliament to have decided to place a particular focus in tonight’s debate on the challenges of combating anti-Semitic narratives.  Over the past months, we have seen representatives of the Jewish community in various Member States – France, Spain, Bulgaria – attacked by representatives of the far right and the far left of the political spectrum. This is unacceptable.  For us, Europeans, standing up against anti-Semitism is much more than a policy objective – it is a historic duty.  I am very proud to have presented the first ever EU strategy on combating anti-Semitism and fostering Jewish life in October 2021. This strategy was a defining moment for our union, and was welcomed unanimously by our leaders, the 27 Member States, the European Parliament and many of our international partners and all major Jewish organisations.  The strategy explicitly acknowledges that contemporary anti-Semitism can be found in radical and fringe groups espousing right wing, left wing or Islamist extremists, and it can hide behind anti-Zionism but it can also be found at the centre of society.  Our communication of 21 October provides for a comprehensive blueprint to address some of the most pressing challenges we and the Jewish communities face in Europe.  The strategy includes almost 100 actions, of which 70 have already been set in motion. Probably the most central, more substantial initiative of those, is our call on all our Member States to adopt their own national plans to fight anti-Semitism – a commitment that was welcomed by the 2022 European Council conclusions on racism and anti-Semitism.  To date, ten Member States have already adopted stand-alone strategies against anti-Semitism, while another eight have indicated that their strategies and national plans are under development.  This is change happening. We already see significant structural shifts in those Member States. We also expect all others to live up to their commitment and stand ready to assist in formulating their strategies.  In about a year’s time, we shall present a Commission interim progress report on the implementation of our EU strategy, and we will assess all actions and strategies of our Member States, providing also further recommendations for the future.  As anti-Semitism constantly takes new pernicious forms, our responses should also constantly evolve and adapt to the challenge. What shall remain unchanged, however, is our steadfast determination to call out and stand up against extremist discourse, extremist attitudes, including anti-Semitism in all its forms. And I count on you, the democratically elected representatives of European citizens, to continue to be our close partners in this important fight.