Jewish groups clash over whether EU antisemitism envoy should influence Israel policy, as controversial von Schnurbein goes back to Berlin

Two leading Jewish groups want the EU’s next antisemitism tsar to also brief diplomats on foreign policy – despite the controversy it caused the last one, Katharina von Schnurbein. “EU external decisions have direct consequences for Jews living in Europe. Diplomats should hear from the person who sees those consequences every day,” said Pinchas Goldschmidt, who heads the Conference of European Rabbis (CER) in Munich, Germany. The European Jewish Congress (EJC) in Brussels also told EUobserver: “The [EU antisemitism] coordinator should ensure that this objective is systematically reflected in all relevant EU policies, including external action and foreign policy.” They spoke as von Schnurbein prepared to leave her EU post after 10 years to become a German “federal government commissioner for Jewish life in Germany and the fight against antisemitism” on 28 October. The 53-year-old German baroness was highly active at events in EU capitals, had three staff, and travelled to Israel, Serbia, Switzerland, and the US. She also worked next door to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and had close ties with the Israeli government. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login