Beliefs & Views

Anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, but a human problem.

Dr. Vladimir Sloutsker is an active member of the global Jewish community. He has taken part in a number of initiatives focused on strengthening Jewish life and the connection to Israel, so that, in his own words, “communities feel they are one people with Israel”. He is also deeply committed to challenging the rise of anti-Semitism and the narratives that question the legitimacy of Jewish marginalisation in both Europe and the wider world.

Sloutsker co-founded and is president of the Israeli-Jewish Congress, which aims to “promote the principle of Israel as the state of the Jewish people and strengthen ties between Israel and the Diaspora, especially in Europe, by creating a bridge to the Jewish state and giving the European Jewish community a voice with Israeli lawmakers and officials.”

The IJC also plays a part in promoting the establishment of effective legislation, such as monitoring and outlawing racist hate speech, use of Nazi symbols, and the denial of the Holocaust throughout Europe. Under current EU law, Holocaust denial carries a sentence of up to three years, yet individual EU countries are only bound to adhere to their own domestic legislation rather than the enforcement of the EU law, and only 13 of the 27 EU member states have laws specifically criminalising Holocaust denial.

Among the various event these organisations have worked on are the relaunch of the European Forum of the Knesset in 2013 and the Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism, as well as a permanent trilateral dialogue between the Jewish Federations of North America with the Jewish communities of Europe and Israel.

The IJC has also led dedicated solidarity gatherings and delegations to Israel by European Jewish leaders, with a particular focus on the matter of addressing the increase in European anti-Semitism. These gathering and solidarity missions host senior European Jewish leaders and heads of communities from over 25 different countries.

Sloutsker also served as president of the Russian Jewish congress from 2004-2006, handling religious affairs, public relations, relations with other communities as well as policy and financial matters. His term focused on a shift away from politics, and focusing instead on interethnic and interfaith peace throughout Russia. During this time he also functioned as Vice-Chairman of the European Jewish Congress, working towards the same goals throughout Europe