Interfederal coordination mechanism is launched to combat anti-Semitism more effectively in Belgium

This new mechanism will for the first time bring together all the competent cabinets of the various Belgian governments, the Jewish community, the administrations involved, Unia and the Flemish Human Rights Institute. The aim is to fight anti-Semitism in a coherent and coordinated way.   

In 2004, following an increase in anti-Semitic incidents at the federal level, the Anti-Semitism Vigilance Cell was set up. It was an informal consultation platform for cooperation and exchange between the government and associations. Its work focused mainly on security and justice.

At the proposal of the Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities, it was decided at the end of 2022 to expand the powers of the vigilance cell and gradually transform the cell into an Interfederal Coordination Mechanism to Combat Anti-Semitism with the aim of: combating anti-Semitism more effectively by cooperating in a more coordinated way with the various levels, administrations and organisations working around anti-Semitism.  

On 15 January, the first official meeting of the new Interfederal Coordination Mechanism to Combat Anti-Semitism will take place with representatives of the federal government and the regional states responsible for anti-Semitism, their administrations, Unia, the Flemish Human Rights Institute and representatives of the Jewish community. The mechanism will meet twice a year in full and there will be thematic working groups. The first themes that will be worked around are 'education' and 'security.'  

The new Interfederal Mechanism makes it possible to address security issues in a coordinated way and to extend the topics discussed to those that fall under the competence of the states, especially in the field of prevention including education.

The mechanism will also be a forum for dialogue with civil society where information exchange can take place and where ongoing projects can be monitored and new approaches can be considered. Led by the Equal Opportunities Unit of the Federal Public Service for Justice, it will be a real place for interfederal coordination in the fight against anti-Semitism.   

Marie-Colline Leroy, State Secretary for Equal Opportunities and Diversity: "Fighting anti-Semitism effectively is a long-term work and it concerns us all. It is important to join forces so that we can reinforce each other's work and tackle the problem holistically: prevention starting from school, sensitisation, social dialogue, punishment. With the new Interfederal Mechanism for Combating Antisemitism, we want to make policies more effective so that every citizen can live in safety and peace in our country. Current events require special vigilance: there has been an increase in hate speech, subversive stereotypes and discrimination. This needs to be addressed in an integrated way. That is also the purpose of this new mechanism."