Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, hosted a high-level panel (Credit: www.rabbiscer.org)

Anti-Semitism is increasing globally and a political crisis is developing among European leaders were among key points made at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday.

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, hosted and chaired a panel at the high-level gathering.

Speakers at ‘Should Jews stay or leave? When anti-Semitism turns to lethal terror: How to secure Jewish communities around the world’ included former IDF Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin, US Congressman Tom Malinowski, Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman and former CDU politician Professor Michel Friedman.

The event focused on a steep rise in anti-Semitic incidents globally and how language surrounding anti-Semitism has evolved.

“Jewish communities around the world are facing the same problem, that anti-Semitism is getting worse,” said Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt.

“Governments and societies around the world must take action to guarantee security for its minorities.”

Professor Friedman, was far more hard hitting.

“We are facing a political crisis of European leadership, accepting the rise of anti-Semitic movements and far-right parties such as Alternative für Deutschland,” he said.

“We need a change in our political culture to tackle these concerning developments.”

Commenting on the US situation, Congressman Malinowski noted that American society was becoming more aware that minorities are under attack and a major factor was politics had become “very devise”.

A key agenda point addressed how rhetoric from Left and Right has made the threat of terror more prevalent and real for Jewish communities around the world.

During the discussion, the panel explored the changing nature of hate crime and subsequent threats posed against the global Jewish community.

Speakers concluded that authorities must stand up for pluralism and fight anti-Semitism.

By Natalie Ash