On October 3rd 2024 the new European-wide Jewish network, European Jews for Palestine (EJP), was officially launched at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event featured speeches from member organizations of the new network, alongside representatives of European civil society anti-racist organizations and Palestinian speakers.
The event was co-hosted by three Members of the European Parliament: Marc Botenga (The Left, Belgium), Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA, France) and Hana Jalloul (S&D, Spain).
With over 50 attendees, this gathering coincided with the Jewish New Year, 1 Tishrei 5785, Rosh Hashanah, a significant Jewish holiday. “We are marking this important moment in the Jewish calendar with a message of solidarity with the Palestinian people and a call to end the genocide in Gaza and Israel’s war crimes.” (Gabi Kaplan, co-speakeperson of EJP, member of the Danish group Jews for Just Peace 5784)
Who Are the European Jews for Palestine?
European Jews for Palestine (EJP) is a new European umbrella organization comprising over 20 Jewish groups from 14 European countries. These like-minded organizations first convened in March 2024 at an international meeting in Paris, and officially established their European umbrella organization in September 2024. The event at the European Parliament on October 3rd marks the network’s first public appearance.
EJP’s mission statement firmly rejects the “Zionist state’s ideology of Jewish supremacy” and denounces the “cynical conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism.” The network advocates for the “decoupling of Judaism from the colonial doctrine of Zionism” and is committed to promoting “equal rights for all in historic Palestine, from the river to the sea.”
Rosh Hashanah 5785 Without Borders: First Action of European Jews for Palestine
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel and the unleashing of vengeance that followed, we celebrate the Jewish New Year on October 3. But how can we celebrate amid ongoing suffering carried out in our name?
European Jews for Palestine:
On Rosh Hashanah, it is customary to eat pomegranate, a fruit native to Palestine. Each seed of the pomegranate is said to symbolize a good deed or ‘mitzvah’. In times of genocide, what does it mean to do good? For us, it means continuing the work of solidarity, resistance, speaking out, and holding ourselves and our communities accountable. With this commitment, we pray that the Jewish year 5785 will see the realization of the promise of “Never Again”.
Messages from European Jews for Palestine member organizations:
“Anti-Zionist Jews, we’re for equal rights, in Europe and in the Middle East”, Union juive française pour la paix (UJFP)
“Being Jewish means always standing with the oppressed; never the oppressor. End the genocide! Free Palestine! “, Jews for Palestine – Ireland
“Solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their liberation is also ours.”, Junts Associació Catalana de Jueus i Palestins
“Our thinking and our actions follow the principles of doykayt, freedom and solidarity.”, Judeobolschewiener*innen
“Our Judaism rhymes with solidarity.”, Jewish Call for Peace, Luxembourg
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