As a political stand, a religious perception or an ideological trend, anti-Semitism is a major social issue, plaguing Europe for a number of centuries and calling into question the moral status of the Western Civilization. The irrationality of this phenomenon can be easily perceived if we consider the doubts cast on the Holocaust, the most vividly documented and thoroughly recorded massive crime in human history. The anti-Semites who endorse any freakish pamphleteering of conspiracy theorists, either reject or doubt the Holocaust, which has been actually recorded by its ruthless perpetrators themselves.

The dominant political forces in Europe, albeit quite belatedly, adopted legislative initiatives and educational activities against anti-Semitism and the distortion of the historical facts related to the Holocaust. Yet, the results prove that these measures are rather inadequate. In such an uneven fight between rationalism and unreasonable hatred, all sound intellectual and religious forces should be brought together. I think the time has come for us to see a joint, powerful Declaration against anti-Semitism by the leaders of the three major Christian denominations of the European Continent. A text to be read to all Christian places of worship and be disseminated through the media networks of Churches to every single believer. The Muslim religious leaders in Europe should try to do the same.

In Greece, during the last twenty years, we have managed to coordinate all competent government bodies so that their actions give out a strong and perpetual result, especially as to legislation, its practical application and education. The foundation of the Holocaust Museum of Greece in Thessaloniki in 2018, by the Israeli President and the Greek Prime Minister has been a milestone. The mission of the museum lies on three pillars, which are actually policies for combating anti-Semitism. First of all, to pay tribute to the Greek-Jews who perished during the Holocaust. Secondly, to celebrate the 2,000 years of one of the most ancient Jewish communities in Europe, including its re-establishment in 1945. And thirdly, to inspire the future generations in understanding that our lessons of the past may help us shape our future. Also, I have to signalize that the last plenary meeting of IHRA in Ferrara unanimously decided that Greece will hold the annual chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) for the year 2021.

To all political, intellectual and religious forces, a position of principle to be upheld at all times should be the analysis of and objection against the problem of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism remains a structural stereotype of modern societies; as a result, its transformations are channeled among us, expressed as new arguments and introducing new concepts.

The most common example is the use of Judeo-phobic stereotypes when it comes to criticizing the State of Israel. Regardless of the level of diplomatic relations and contacts with Israel, no country is entitled to question the importance of this state’s existence, because, as stressed by the Holocaust survivor and philosopher, Jean Améry, “Who questions Israel’s right to exist is either too stupid to see that he engages in the realisation of a new Auschwitz or he consciously aims at this new Auschwitz”. Israel, as the state created in the asses of the Holocaust, continues to be the last line of defense for the Jews in a strongly anti-Semitic world.

Any anti-fascist action without an explicit objection to anti-Semitism would be deficient. Therefore, it is necessary for us to stand out against any reemergence of anti-Semitism, whatever form it takes. The fight against such a political, intellectual and moral decline needs to become a pan-european affair before it is too late.”

• Speech of the Special Secretary for Religious and Cultural Diplomacy and Head of the Greek Delegation to the IHRA, Dr Efstathios Lianos Liantis, at the Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Region (Bratislava, 5-6 February 2019)

The event was under the auspices of MEPs György Hölvényi and Jan Olbrycht, co-chairmen of the Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue of EPP (European People’s Party).

Invited speakers included Prof. Dr. Erhard Busek (ret. Austrian Vice Chancellor), Prof. Dr. Aho Shemunkasho (Prof. for Syriac Theology at University of Salzburg) and Prof. Dr. Peter A. Bruck (Chairman of the Syriac Institute, Salzburg).

The distinguished Professors briefly outlined the history of Syro-Aramaic culture (counting 3,000 years of written tradition) and its position in the Mid-East context, and explained the enormous importance of the Syriac language (lingua franca of early Christian times, along with koiné Greek), especially concerning religious studies, Christian history, comparative linguistics, translation of manuscripts, etc. They also focused on the “mediating role” between various peoples and religions that was played by this distinct Christian tradition throughout the Eurasian continent.

Participants then went on to elaborate on the grave challenges that the Syro-Aramaic culture is facing, both in its war-torn homeland and in European lands, where the Syro-Aramaic diaspora has settled.

They explained how the affinity of Syriac people with core traits of our European culture have enabled them to assimilate perfectly into their new homelands, but might otherwise endanger the survival of their archaic language and identity, highlighting thus the necessity of safeguarding this culture as an invaluable part of European cultural and religious heritage.

The event concluded with a proposed establishment of a “European Syriac Centre” in Austria (Salzburg), situated at the very heart of the European Union and of the Syriac diaspora.

This Centre would have a pivotal role in promoting Syro-Aramaic cultural studies to 2nd and 3rd generation members of the Syriac diaspora, as well as to other Europeans, and also to scholars from around the world.

The Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) was represented by His Grace Bishop Porfyrios of Neapolis. The intervention of His Grace Porfyrios focused on the importance of rescuing this archaic Christian tradition.

He underscored the fact that, in the long-run, this can only be achieved if a determined European Union safeguards the existence of remaining Syriac minorities in the Middle East, while actively promoting the secure return of Syriac refugees to their ancient homelands in modern-day Iraq, Syria and Turkey, by exerting due pressure to those states. He reasoned that the Middle East, being the cradle of Christianity, is of the utmost importance to Christians.

The Committee of the Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) was established in 2010 and consists of: the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Patriarchate of Moscow, the Patriarchate of Romania, the Patriarchate of Bulgaria, the Church of Cyprus and the Church of Greece.

Mankind and civilization subsequently had to face another historical crossroad on how to progress after what had happened.

It was clear to every nation in our world that peace could only be obtained and preserved by means of common endeavor. In the years after World War II the main concern was to secure peace and the rights of all human beings regardless of their sex, ethnicity, religion, or social status. In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we find the incorporation of hope for a peaceful co-existence and the protection of human rights and freedom.

The Declaration has indeed a Christian spirit. Furthermore, it shares common values with the Bible. Thus, article 1 says: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

True brotherhood among people is only possible if there is mutual understanding, solidarity and love. Reason and conscience are given to human beings by their Creator. As a gift of God the observance of Human Rights is a responsibility regarding both the human law and the Law of God. In fact, fundamental Human Rights constitute a political answer to the question “how may I live in harmony with others” – the Other who is God and the others who are our brothers and sisters.

However, because of the dominant individualistic narrative of the 20th century and also because of political “neutrality/correctness” that has been often the alibi for political inertia, fundamental rights progressively lost their appeal to the wider public. What is worse, they were progressively understood as having a defensive character, not to the avail of the community at large, but rather serving the interests of individuals, or minorities in confrontation with majorities. This did not help the advancement of peace, because the community turned somehow to an arena of rival interests.

In this way, fundamental Human Rights, cut off from the religious environment where they were born and the societal goal for a harmonic common life, are only a “dead letter”. This is why nowadays we need to underpin their social dimension and to enhance our efforts to clarify for all the organic interdependence between the fundamental Human Rights, social rights and the religious-cultural environment in which all of them were born.

This is why States are meant to protect the fundamental human need to practice religion. They are also obliged to both support people who feel the need to practice religion for the benefit of the spiritual health of themselves and of society as a whole, and ensure that people practice religion in a respectful way, which means that their religious practice leaves them open to their neighbor in a peaceful and not at all a menacing way.

As Representatives of our Orthodox Churches to the European Union, we congratulate the United Nations Organization for this remarkable anniversary. Furthermore, we express our conviction that the rights of all human beings could be guaranteed as far as they do not contradict the eternal Law of God and the perfection for which all human beings were created: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mathew 5:48).