Christian activists warn of spread of anti-Semitism and call for decisive action by Europe
As security and political tensions in Iran and Europe increase, and anti-Semitic slogans and actions in some European cities are alarmingly on the rise, a group of Iranian Christian leaders and activists have issued a statement warning that governments’ inaction against hate speech is paving the way for the normalization of violence and extremism. They called on European governments and international institutions to adopt practical and urgent policies to stand up to trends that threaten social security and civil liberties.
The statement states that the increase in verbal attacks and anti-Semitic propaganda in Europe is not just a cultural or political issue, but has become a direct threat to public security and human rights values. The authors of the statement emphasize that some extremist movements and networks affiliated with the Islamic Republic play an active role in spreading hatred and inciting violence, and use the media and virtual space to legitimize these behaviors.
Part of the text warns: "If hate speech is not truly confronted, it will gradually turn from exceptional behavior into an accepted habit."
The signatories of the statement believe that European governments, especially the United Kingdom and Germany, along with institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations, have the necessary legal and executive capacity to counter this trend, but these capacities must be translated into tangible and deterrent measures.
The statement continues with a set of key recommendations for curbing anti-Semitism and countering hate networks, including:
- Strict enforcement of laws related to combating hate speech in media and social networks
- Identifying and prosecuting individuals who promote hatred or incite violence
- Requiring digital platforms to promptly remove anti-Semitic and violent content
- Preventing the formation of spaces that normalize or accept hatred against Jews
- Government transparency about actions taken and their results
- Preventing gatherings that raise anti-Semitic slogans or call for violence
- Request to the British government to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the list of terrorist organizations and to implement this decision in practice
- Emphasizing the necessity of decisive measures by European countries against networks and institutions affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards
- Practical support for the Iranian people in ending the rule of the Islamic Republic, due to this government's role in destabilizing and security activities in Europe.
- Security surveillance of individuals who, after traveling to Iran, openly engage in propaganda or political activities in support of the Islamic Republic.
At the end of the statement, it is emphasized that indifference to the spread of hatred means contributing to its spread, and countering this trend must be placed on the agenda of governments as an urgent human rights and security responsibility.
