The European Commission has initiated a call for proposals dedicated to strengthening EU security by safeguarding public spaces, notably emphasizing the protection of Jewish places of worship. This call encompasses a total budget of €30 million, funded by the Internal Security Fund (ISF). Applications are open for submission from February 8 to April 4, 2024.
The call aims to finance projects geared towards enhancing overall security in public areas, emphasizing six distinct priorities: safeguarding places of worship across various religions, with a dedicated focus on Jewish sites, countering CBRN threats (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear), curbing firearm trafficking, and deploying explosive detection dogs. Notably, the Commission has allocated EUR 5 million exclusively for projects aimed at safeguarding Jewish places of worship, a response to the alarming surge in anti-Semitic incidents across the EU following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, as detailed in the Commission’s communication titled ‘No place for hate: a Europe united against hatred’.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for the Promotion of European Way of Life, emphasized, “It is unacceptable that, 78 years post the Shoah, Jews in Europe once again live in fear, and feel the need to hide their identity. Security is a fundamental right for all Europeans and a crucial element for the thriving of Jewish communities. Through this initiative, the EU aims to support national authorities in ensuring the safety of Jewish communities and all citizens.”
Safeguarding the well-being of all residents in Europe remains a paramount concern for the Commission. Concrete measures have been taken to bolster the protection of public spaces and counter radicalization, including initiatives through the Radicalisation Awareness Network and the EU Internet Forum. Europol’s mandate has been fortified to offer enhanced support to Member States in upholding security. Furthermore, the Commission has adopted regulations to prevent the online dissemination of terrorist content, mandating the removal of all such content within a maximum of one hour.
Source: ANA-MPA / Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
