Brussels, Belgium – November 10, 2008 – B'nai B'rith Europe is commemorating the pogrom of November 1938 together with the local Jewish communities throughout Europe. Remembering the numerous Jewish men, women and children, who were killed, brutalised and sent off to concentration camps while their property was pillaged and destroyed and their synagogues set on fire, the 70th anniversary of what was subsequently euphemistically called “Kristallnacht” (crystal night) by the Nazis is also an opportunity to critically reflect on contemporary antisemitism.

Attacks against Jews, their institutions, and property have been on the rise again in recent years throughout Europe. Despite all the goodwill epitomized by public condemnation of antisemitic acts on the parts of governments, there has been a misperception about the perpetrators and sources of such misdeeds. While the far-right may account for a large share of these crimes, Muslim radicals have emerged as a highly dangerous source of anti-Jewish activity in Europe today.

It is the understanding of B’nai B’rith Europe that learning from the past must amount to more than the annual commemoration of the events that led to the Shoah. Precisely at a time when the Iranian President is denying the unprecedented mass murder of Jews while simultaneously pledging to commit another one, Europe must do everything it can to deny him the means to do so. This has not happened. 



Represented in 58 countries, B’NAI B’RITH is the world’s largest Jewish Human Rights, Community action and Humanitarian organisation. B’NAI BRITH EUROPE is represented in 28 countries throughout Europe.

With its office based in Brussels B’NAI B’RITH is represented at the European Parliament, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the United Nations in Geneva and UNESCO in Paris.
The main goals of B’NAI B’RITH are the defence of Human Rights and the fight against antisemitism, racism and xenophobia, the defence of the State of Israel, humanitarian relief for the needy in Eastern Europe and in Israel and action to develop Jewish identity, Jewish culture and Jewish heritage.

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