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Speech by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear friends,

In Sydney on Sunday, 15 innocent people died.

Fifteen people who had brought light, kindness and happiness to their communities.

Among them, 10-year-old Matilda — from Ukraine.

Her mother had brought her to Australia to keep her safe.

Alexander, a holocaust survivor, who died shielding his wife.

Marika, for 30 years a volunteer, delivering more than 15,000 kosher meals to people in need.

And Boris and Sofia, a couple due to celebrate their 35^th wedding anniversary.

Together, they tackled one of the gunmen.

And died in each other’s arms.

Each of these victims, and ten others — out celebrating the first day of Hanukkah — had their light extinguished.

Extinguished by anti-Semitism  and dark hatred.

— leaving their loved ones in despair.

This evening, here in Strasbourg, the candles of this giant menorah are lit.

So that light may vanquish the darkness.

They are lit to commemorate the Hanukkah miracle — a light that burnt for eight days with enough oil only for one.

They are lit for this community — the Strasbourg Jewish community, which has existed for more than a thousand years in this beautiful city.

They are lit as a symbol of resilience and strength.

A resilience and strength that has kept the light of the Jewish community burning throughout its history

—  during imprisonment and oppression

— during persecution and pogroms.

A Jewish community true to its great heritage and beliefs.

A Jewish community vital and integral to Strasbourg, to France, and to Europe.

Dear friends,

The Council of Europe stands in solidarity with the Jewish community in Europe, in Australia and everywhere else.

We condemn antisemitism.

We condemn all forms of religious intolerance

And we condemn hate speech and hate crimes.

When the Council was created in 1949, the founders made their solemn promise — Never again!

That promise applied to the holocaust and all the horrors of World War II.

To all the horrors of every war.

And to all the horrors brought about by inhumanity and hatred.

And we know that where antisemitism surges — indeed, where any kind of hatred and discrimination is allowed to get its grip — democracy suffers.

We all suffer.

Antisemitism is not only a threat to the Jewish people — but a threat to all of us, to our democracies, our values and our way of life.

Dear friends,

Antisemitism must never go unchecked.

And when democracy falls, hatred is given free rein to bloom.

Replacing the light and the hope that unites us.

As these candles burn throughout this Hanukkah, let us keep the flame of love and peace in our hearts.

As a constant reminder of community — and of unity.

As a reminder of freedom and democracy, and a future built on tolerance and peace.

And as a reminder that the spirit of the Jewish people, the spirit of all of us, is the spirit of democracy — and the spirit of Europe.

Happy Hanoukka.