Joint Statement of the Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism

(May 12, 2026)

Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating anti-Semitism (SECCA) issued a joint statement expressing “deep concern” over the global rise in anti-Semitism and condemning attacks on synagogues, schools, and Jewish gatherings. The statement warned that anti-Semitism threatens not only Jewish communities but also democratic values, human rights, equality, and the rule of law. The signatories called for stronger government action to protect Jewish communities, prosecute perpetrators of anti-Semitic crimes, curb online anti-Semitic hatred, and reinforce education and research on anti-Semitism and Holocaust issues, particularly for younger generations.

The following is the full text of the statement.


We, the undersigned Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA), express our deep concern over the alarming rise of antisemitism across the globe. Synagogues, schools and Jewish gatherings in many countries have become the target of horrific antisemitic attacks. These attacks are intended to intimidate Jewish communities and disrupt and threaten Jewish life. We unequivocally condemn, in line with the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, all forms of contemporary antisemitism targeted at Jewish communities around the world.

We want our societies to be places where Jewish life can thrive, where Jews can go about their lives without having to look over their shoulder, and where Jews can live in line with their religious and cultural traditions.

Antisemitism is a threat to Jews—and that alone would be reason enough to fight it. But it also erodes the very foundations of our democratic and free societies: human rights and dignity, equality, and the rule of law. A society in which Jews cannot live openly and safely is one in which fundamental rights are under threat for everyone.

We recall the power of education to build societies with the skills and values to stand actively and responsibly against antisemitism, hatred, prejudice, and discrimination in all its forms, including in digital spaces. Education and further research on combating antisemitism and on Holocaust issues should be reinforced, focusing in particular on the younger generations.

To address these challenges and their root causes head on, we call for a coordinated and sustained effort across governments, civil society, and international partners:

  • Safety and security of Jewish individuals, communities and premises

In the current situation, security is the prerequisite of any further activities. All governments must ensure the safety and security of Jews on their territory. Extremism in all its forms must be addressed as a root cause and global cooperation in this regard strengthened, advancing coordinated and consistent responses across borders.

  • Prosecution of perpetrators of antisemitic offenses

Offenders of antisemitic crimes must be held accountable. We call on all states to swiftly and effectively respond to antisemitic crimes and offenses.

  • Curbing antisemitic hatred online

Expressions of antisemitism in the physical world are influenced by the digital world. Social media platforms, AI companies, governments, and civil society should provide solutions to address antisemitic hatred online in line with applicable legislation.

Since 2019, we have formed a close global alliance to address the multi-layered challenges we are facing. Our continuous work is to transform political commitments into concrete safeguards for Jewish communities.

There is no place for antisemitism, there can be no excuse for antisemitism. It cannot be tolerated anytime or any place.

Signatories:

Argentina 
Amb. Fabiana Loguzzo
Special Representative for the Fight Against Antisemitism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina

Australia
Jillian Segal
Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism

Austria
Antonio Martino
Director, Department “Fostering Austrian-Jewish Cultural Heritage and Combating Antisemitism”, Federal Chancellery of the Republic of Austria

Belgium
Isabelle Leclerq
Head of Division, Federal Public Service Justice, Directorate for Fundamental Rights, Equal Opportunity Division, Belgium

Canada
Angelica Liao-Moroz
Executive Director, Human Rights, Freedoms & Inclusion, Global Affairs Canada

Council of Europe
Irene Kitsou-Milonas
Special Representative of the Secretary General on antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance

Croatia
Sara Lustig
Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Croatia for Holocaust Issues and Combating Antisemitism

Czech Republic
Amb. Robert Řehák
Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Combating Antisemitism, and FoRB – Czech Republic

Cyprus
Antonios Theocharous
Director, Multilateral Relations, Security and Global Agenda Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus

Estonia
Ringo Ringvee
Coordinator, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Estonia

European Commission
Katharina von Schnurbein
Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life

France
Amb. Isabelle Rome
Ambassador-at-large for Human Rights, French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Germany
Amb. Christina Beinhoff
Director-General for Culture and Society and Special Representative for Relations with Jewish Organisations; Issues relating to Antisemitism, International Sinti and Roma Affairs, Holocaust Remembrance, Federal Foreign Office

Germany
Dr. Felix Klein
Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism, German Federal Ministry of the Interior

Greece
Amb. Chryssoula Aliferi
Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece for Combatting Anti-semitism and for the Protection of Holocaust Remembrance

Ireland
Colm O’Loughlin
Principal Officer, Anti-Racism Policy, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

Israel
Arezoo Hersel-Rohila
Director of the Department for Combating Antisemitism and Holocaust Remembrance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel

Italy
Gen. (ret.) Pasquale Angelosanto
National Coordinator for the fight against anti-Semitism, Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Lithuania
Amb. Arvydas Daunoravičius
Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Lithuania

Luxembourg 
Michel Heintz
Special Envoy and Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism, Racism and LGBTQI+ Hatred

Netherlands
Eddo Verdoner
National Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism, Netherlands

Norway
Øystein Lyngroth
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Organization of American States
Fernando Lottenberg Special Advisor on Antisemitism, Organization of American States

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Rabbi Andrew Baker
Personal Representative of the Chair-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Portugal
Amb. João Taborda da Gama
National Coordinator of the European Strategy to Combat Antisemitism and Promote Jewish Life – Portugal

Romania
Bogdan Mazuru
Special Representative of the Romanian Government on Promoting Memorial Policies, Combatting Antisemitism and Xenophobia

Romania
Dragoș Hotea
Coordinator of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Monitoring the National Strategy, Romania

Serbia
Milan Antonijević
Commissioner for Protection of Equality of the Republic of Serbia

Spain
José Thovar Lozano
Director General of Centro Sefarad-Israel and Coordinator of Spain’s National Plan Against Antisemitism

United Kingdom
Lord John Mann
HM Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism – United Kingdom

United Kingdom
Jon Pearce MP
UK Special Envoy for Post Holocaust Issues

United States of America
Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun
U.S. Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism


Source: Judah Ari Gross, “Global antisemitism envoys issue joint call for action amid rising attacks,” eJP, (May 12, 2026).