Brussels, 11.10.2019
FEMYSO expresses their deepest condolences to the Jewish community of Halle and beyond after the reprehensive terrorist attack on the synagogue on the holy day of Yom Kippur.
We strongly condemn such cruel violence extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims, their family and the wider Jewish community.
This attack once more confirms the consequences of limited and biased counter-terrorism policies. While the attacker had also planned attacks on a mosque and politically left centre, he chose a synagogue and the Jewish community as a target. Radicalisation and extremism on the political spectrum should be prevented similarly, keeping in mind rising Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism and increasing white supremacy.
The Christchurch attack which had European roots, and which inspired the Halle terrorist, confirms this urgent need. FEMYSO thus once more urgently calls upon the European Union institutions, its EU Member States and OSCE Participating States to review their post-9/11 counter-terrorism measures, to increase the security of religious institutions and to work with religious civil society organisations in improving and protecting the rights of minorities.
We at FEMYSO will continue our efforts on strengthening civil society, advocating against all forms of racism and discrimination, and on maintaining and valuing peace and diversity in Europe.