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Executive Director of European Affairs Shannon Seban represented the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) this week at the European Jewish Association‘s annual conference in Brussels, Belgium.
The two-day event was held under the banner of “Global Intifada: Jewish Communities on the Frontlines.”
Today, we are hosting our annual conference in Brussels, Belgium. Over the next two days, diplomats, members of parliament from across Europe, Jewish leaders, and partners will come together to discuss the most pressing issues facing Jewish communities. We will listen to the… pic.twitter.com/jYDqkH80na
— EJA – EIPA (@EJAssociation) April 15, 2026
Seban participated in a panel discussion, titled “Communities In Focus: France,” with Olivier Samuel from the Consistoire Israélite du Bas-Rhin.
“In 2025, antisemitism in France remained at a persistently high level, with 1,320 acts recorded — more than 3.5 antisemitic acts every single day,” Seban noted. “Antisemitic acts account for 53% of all anti-religious acts in France, while Jews represent less than 1% of the population. This is not marginal — it is structural.”
“Nearly one-third of antisemitic acts now include explicit references to ‘Palestine,'” she added. “Anti-Israel rhetoric is increasingly used as a vehicle for antisemitism — and we must have the clarity to name it and address it.”
“This requires reinforcing our judicial systems and adapting our legal frameworks to better tackle contemporary forms of antisemitism, including those disguised as political expression,” Seban emphasized.
She went on to say, “13% of antisemitic acts take place in schools and universities. This is where the next generation is being shaped — and where we are currently failing. We must invest in education to dismantle stereotypes, and strengthen protection in our schools and universities, which have increasingly become spaces of tension around pro-Palestinian activism.”
“If everyone decides to leave, what will remain in Europe? We have a responsibility to protect Jewish heritage here. We need to stay, to fight, and to work together.” @ShannonSeban Executive Director of European Affairs @CombatASemitism pic.twitter.com/Tl4ZtQUXLs
— EJA – EIPA (@EJAssociation) April 15, 2026
“We need European cities and organizations to recognise that antizionism IS antisemitism”.
Speaking at the @EJAssociation’s annual conference, @ShannonSeban says this message is even more crucial since October 7th. pic.twitter.com/VjFmJ4ljIL
— EJA – EIPA (@EJAssociation) April 16, 2026
In his address to the conference, EJA Chairman and Founder Rabbi Menachem Margolin said, “Let me be honest. I have opened too many conferences with the same words. That antisemitism is rising. That Jews are feeling unsafe. That more needs to be done. I’m getting more than a little bit angry having to repeat it over and over and over and over again Every year new records are broken on antisemitism. Every year there are more attacks, every year there is more security for us, every year more danger in our daily lives.”
“Let me be honest. I have opened too many conferences with the same words: That antisemitism is rising. That Jews are feeling unsafe. That more needs to be done. I’m getting more than a little bit angry having to repeat it over and over and over and over again
Every year new… pic.twitter.com/YP6t47N1Sf
— EJA – EIPA (@EJAssociation) April 15, 2026
Keynote speakers included European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhely, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life Katharina von Schnurbein, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, and Israeli Ambassador to the EU and NATO Avi Nir Feldklein, among others.
At the European Jewish Association Annual Policy Conference in Brussels, @USAmbToBelgium and I reiterated the Administration’s strong support of Belgium’s Jewish community and thanked @MargolinRabbi and @EJAssociation for their efforts to highlight the concerns of Jews across… pic.twitter.com/kzxhCxdyqt
— Ambassador Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun (@StateSEAS) April 16, 2026
While in Brussels, Seban also met with U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White. Seban shared with Ambassador White concerns about the situation of the Jewish community in Belgium.
In post on X, Seban thanked Ambassador White for his “courage and determination in actively combating antisemitism in Belgium and in Europe,” calling him a “key partner in this essential fight.”
Rencontre à Bruxelles avec l’ambassadeur des États-Unis en Belgique @USAmbToBelgium, Bill White.
🇧🇪🤝🇺🇸
J’ai tenu à le remercier pour son courage et sa détermination à lutter concrètement contre l’antisémitisme en Belgique et en Europe. Un partenaire clé dans ce combat… pic.twitter.com/hxnKMyGP8k— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) April 17, 2026
