PACE raises concern over combating anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

A mosque in Rome. Photo: english.alarabiya

On April 21, 2026, during its spring session in Strasbourg, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution No. 2647 (2026), “Countering discrimination based on religion and protecting freedom of religion or belief in Europe.” A significant part of the document is devoted to the issue of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia on the European continent.

The Assembly noted that “manifestations of religious intolerance in Europe often appear to be linked to conflicts occurring in other regions and to reflect heightened tensions there.” As the main example, it cited the situation following the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

According to the resolution, during that period Europe saw a “significant resurgence of anti-Semitism,” with many European countries recording a rise in antisemitic incidents and an “exponential increase” not only in acts of violence and physical attacks, but also in hateful speech on social media. These findings are cited with reference to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and other international bodies.

At the same time, the same international institutions also reported a rise in Islamophobic incidents. The document emphasizes that “no individual shall be held responsible, on the basis of their actual or perceived religious or belief affiliation, for acts committed by others purportedly in the name of that religion or belief.”

“The Assembly further supports the action of all the bodies that operate to prevent and counter discrimination, and the mandate of the Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General on antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all forms of religious intolerance, in view of the importance of promoting peaceful living together to respond to the challenges that Europe is facing today,” the text says.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that PACE had failed to approve sanctions against Patriarch Kirill and the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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