^{Credit: Israel em Portugal}

The Assembly of the Republic hosted this week the European Conference of the Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), bringing together parliamentarians and political leaders from 15 European countries to discuss the growing phenomenon of antisemitism and to promote a coordinated response from European democracies to this threat.

The meeting, organized by the Israel Allies Foundation with the support of MP Pedro Frazão, chair of the IAF caucus in the Portuguese Parliament, focused on the growing normalization of antisemitic discourse and the phenomenon of anti-Zionism as a contemporary form of antisemitism.

The proceedings began with an official dinner attended by the United States Ambassador to Portugal, John Arrigo, the Ambassador of Israel to Portugal, Oren Rozenblat, the President of the Israel Allies Foundation, Josh Reinstein, members of parliament from various European countries who lead parliamentary groups of the organization in their respective legislatures, MP Pedro Frazão, and the Director of IAF Portugal, Dr. Madalena Barata.

^{Credit: Israel em Portugal}

In his speech, the United States Ambassador condemned recent antisemitic incidents and stated that harassment of Jews on university campuses and in public spaces will not be tolerated. He also called for the implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism by law enforcement and judicial authorities, while expressing the Trump Administration’s support for the State of Israel.

On the following day, the main session of the conference took place at the Assembly of the Republic and featured video interventions by Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sharren Haskel.

Amichai Chikli warned of what he described as a growing delegitimization of the State of Israel, stating that this phenomenon is closely linked to rising antisemitism. Sharren Haskel, in turn, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and coordinated political action to combat the spread of antisemitism and protect Jewish communities.

^{Credit: Israel em Portugal}

Ambassador Oren Rozenblat thanked the representatives from various European countries and the work of the Israel Allies Foundation. Referring to the recent act of vandalism at a synagogue in Portugal, he stressed the need to strengthen the fight against antisemitism both internationally and within the Portuguese context.

Pedro Frazão argued that Portugal has the responsibility to “be on the right side of history” at a time when Jewish communities in several countries are once again feeling fear and becoming targets of hate.

At the end of the conference, a resolution was adopted calling on Portugal and other European countries to adopt and implement the IHRA definition of antisemitism, creating conditions for the development of specific legislation on the matter. The document condemns the growing normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, urges governments to strengthen mechanisms to combat hatred against Jews, and calls for firm action against calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.

Participants stressed that the fight against antisemitism must be a priority for European democracies, warning of the rise in antisemitic incidents across the continent and the need to protect Jewish communities and the fundamental values of religious freedom and democratic coexistence.