June 8, 2024 — Paris, Washington, DC
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, and the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF), the umbrella organization gathering major French Jewish institutions, today announced the launch of an annual transatlantic summit on combating antisemitism.
This announcement follows the significant joint declaration by President Emmanuel Macron and President Joe Biden that their respective governments, recognizing that France and the United States are home to the two largest Jewish communities in the world outside Israel, pledge to form an annual dialogue on combating antisemitism, which will include coordination on strategies to mitigate online antisemitism and to promote education and understanding about the Jewish people and Judaism. This commitment underscores the importance of addressing this issue at both governmental and civil society levels, reflecting a united front against the rising tide of antisemitism worldwide.
Both AJC and CRIF are uniquely suited to advance dialogue and spur society-wide action in the fight against Jew-hatred. France has faced contemporary antisemitism linked to various forms, including far-right antisemitism, Islamist extremism, far-left ideologies, and anti-Israel related antisemitism over the past two decades and has forcefully fought it.
“France’s Jewish community has learned important lessons over decades of experience fighting antisemitism. This multifaceted challenge has required a nuanced and robust response, providing France with valuable experience and insights that can benefit other nations,” says Yonatan Arfi, President of the CRIF.
Meanwhile, the United States, which has faced a particularly pronounced surge of antisemitism since October 7, plays a critical role in championing the fight against antisemitism and racism on the global stage.
“Through this partnership, CRIF and AJC can leverage our decades of experience fighting the disparate and insidious faces of Jew-hatred and promoting effective, society-wide preventative action to effect real change across the Atlantic,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch, who will also highlight the summit at AJC’s Global Forum which begins on Sunday, June 9.
AJC and CRIF are proud to partner on this important initiative, leveraging their combined expertise and networks to tackle this pressing issue. The conference will serve as a platform for sharing best practices, developing new strategies, and fostering international cooperation in the fight against antisemitism. By bringing together leaders, experts, and advocates from around the world, the summit aims to create a sustained and impactful dialogue on combating antisemitism.
The summit also represents a decisive moment not only for Jewish communities around the world but also for the preservation of the values of our societies. France and the United States share a deep historical connection and are founded on the same core values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This bond was reaffirmed recently during the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, an historic event that highlighted their intertwined destinies and collective fight for liberal democracy. The alliance forged in the fight against tyranny continues to this day, with both countries recognizing the critical need to protect and uphold democratic values.
Together, AJC and CRIF are committed to addressing antisemitism and ensuring the preservation of the values their nations stand for.
“As history has shown, antisemitism is often the first indicator of a society in decline. Jewish communities worldwide are increasingly concerned that history is repeating itself, and it is crucial for France and the United States to lead the charge against antisemitism. By addressing antisemitism proactively, we can help ensure the stability and health of our societies as a whole,” concluded Deutch and Arfi.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org
CRIF is the representative body of Jewish institutions in France. It was created in 1943 and represents more than 70 associations. The mission of the CRIF is to address French Jewry’s interest and challenges, to fight against antisemitism and all forms of racism, to preserve and pass on Holocaust memory and to express the solidarity of the French Jewish community to the State of Israel.
