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This week, from November 29 to December 1, more than 120 representatives from 60 cities across Europe will gather in Dortmund, Germany, to participate in the 2023 European Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
The summit, held in partnership with the Jewish community of Dortmund and chaired by Lord Mayor of Dortmund Thomas Westphal, will bring together top European decisionmakers and influential figures to discuss pragmatic solutions to combating antisemitism at a time when intolerance is surging across Europe and the globe.
During the summit, mayors will participate in panels and discussions focused on relevant topics, including:
- The importance of the translation of national strategies against antisemitism to the local level
- The use of public space against antisemitism
- Interfaith and intercultural relations
- The role of sports clubs in combating hate
- Preservation of Jewish heritage and culture
Representatives will also hear firsthand from Natalie Sanandaji, a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre.
“Following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, we want to ensure that global leaders are aware of the current state of antisemitism and how they can work on a local level in Europe to make a difference,” said Sacha Roytman, CEO of CAM. “Jewish life existed in Europe before the Holocaust, and it is our hope that this conference sends a message to every city across Europe that Jewish life should be celebrated here again.”
Dortmund is known around the world as the “City of Sports,” and it chairs the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism’s Working Group on Antisemitism. Part of the summit activities will include a special tour of the Borussia Dortmund football stadium and a presentation by Daniel Lorcher, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Borussia Dortmund, about the club’s campaign against antisemitism.
The mayors will also help craft an updated municipal action plan to fight religious bigotry and secure and nurture Jewish life in their cities. The original plan was unveiled at the Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Athens, Greece, last year.
Participants in the summit include:
- Betina Beskina, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn
- Brigitta von Bülow, Deputy Mayor of Cologne
- Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Regional and Local Authorities of the Council of Europe
- Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israeli Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism
- Benjamina Karic, Mayor of Sarajevo
- Felix Klein, Special Commissioner of Germany against Antisemitism
- Roko Kursar, Deputy Mayor of Malmo
- Marie-Christine Lemardeley, Deputy Mayor of Paris
- Keti Luarasi, Deputy Mayor of Tirana
- Lord John Mann, Independent Adviser to the United Kingdom Government on Antisemitism
- Zwi Rappaport, Chair of the Jewish Community of Dortmund
- Eddo Verdoner, Antisemitism Coordinator of the Netherlands
- Pieter Verhoeve, Mayor of Gouda
- Pavlo Vugelman, Deputy Mayor of Odessa
- Michael Whine, UK Member of the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance
The European Mayors Summit is the third conference the Combat Antisemitism Movement has organized this month, following summits for Latin American officials in Montevideo, Uruguay about Latin America-Israel relations, and for North American mayors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida about combating antisemitism on a local level.
For more information on the European Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism’s program and speakers, please visit: europeanmayors.combatantisemitism.org
About the Combat Antisemitism Movement:
CAM is a global coalition engaging more than 750 partner organizations and four million people from a diverse array of religious, political, and cultural backgrounds in the common mission of fighting the world’s oldest hatred. CAM acts collaboratively to build a better future, free of bigotry, for Jews and all humanity.
