A child sits between candles at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin on the eve of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust / © Christoph Soeder / DPA / Picture-Alliance via AFP
Luxembourg has unveiled its new 'National Action Plan Against Antisemitism' (PANAS), comprising 19 measures focused on bolstering commemorative culture, enhancing synagogue security, and combatting online hate amid an alleged rise in anti-Jewish sentiments across Europe.
Amid reports of a rise in anti-Jewish sentiments and attacks across Europe, the European Union has, over the last few years, advised its member states to create national action plans against antisemitism. Luxembourg recently unveiled its own version: the 'National Action Plan Against Antisemitism', or PANAS in short.
Prioritising commemorative culture
The document proposes nineteen individual measures. A majority of the measures concern remembrance of the Shoah, particularly at a time when only a few survivors of the Nazi death camps remain among us.
While presenting the plan, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel drew attention to the fact that people in Luxembourg have downplayed the Holocaust in recent times. This is likely in reference to statements, and choices, made during protests by those who opposed pandemic measures: some of these protesters were seen wearing a yellow Star of David while marching through the streets of the capital.
Under proposed plans, the Cinqfontaines monastery, once used by Germans to incarcerate Jewish people, will become an educational and commemorative site.
Combatting online hate
The plan is about more than just commemorative culture. Security around both of Luxembourg's synagogues will be increased and antisemitic intentions will be considered aggravating factors in criminal cases, potentially doubling any resulting sentences.
Luxembourg is the eleventh country to present a comparable action plan. Katarina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish life, stresses the importance of such documents, as nine out of ten Jewish EU citizens currently feel as though antisemitism is once again on the rise.
She noted: "Antisemitism has never fully vanished, there was only a time when people knew that they should not say certain things. Now, however, the internet with its means of openly and directly transporting hate offers the chance to say things that people would not even have dared to think before."
For these reasons, Luxembourg's action plan also commits to implementing EU directives designed to combat online hate.
