We proudly look back to one of our most active periods at the UN.
Both during the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council and at the UN-Headquarters we ensured representation of young European Jewry with tremendous feedback:
In September 2016 we spoke up at the UN Headquarters during a conference on Global antisemitism.
President Benny Fischer focused on the importance of youth empowerment, coalition building and holistic approaches to combating antisemitism.
At the end of March, EUJS then attended the 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva addressing the Council in the General Debates on
Item 3 – Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic,social and cultural rights, including the right to development
Item 7 – Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
Item 9 – Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance
President of the French Union of Jewish Students, Sacha Ghozlan addressed the Council under Item 3. He focused on the danger of a rising far right and the young generation’s responsibility to take action.
As part of our delegation, Union of Jewish Students Campaigns Officer, Liron Velleman, spoke up on behalf of Jewish students against delegitimisation and double standards at the UN Human Rights Council. He condemned the Council’s demonization of Israel and affirmed the need for constructive and nuanced discussion.
Italian EUJS activist Benjamin Fishman spoke up on behalf of Jewish students against antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. Benjamin reinforced EUJS’ commitment to coalition building and our moral duty to condemn all forms of discrimination. For the first time, EUJS highlighted the work of partner Roma organizations, TernYpe and Phiren Amenca, giving visibility to the struggles of the biggest, yet least politically represented European minority.
Beyond this, we were proud to be present for Hillel Neuer’s compelling speech about the expulsion of Jews from neighboring Arab countries, as well as to meet with the newly appointed Israeli representative to the UN in Geneva, her Excellency Ms. Aviva Raz Shechter Israel at the UN-Geneva.
We are proud of our activists and their contribution to the promotion of Human Rights for all!
