Speech by President von der Leyen at the Euro-Chanukah 2025

Thank you, dear Nehama,

Cher Bourgmestre,

Rabbi Tawil,

Rabbi Margolin,

Thank you for inviting me. I am so honoured to celebrate this holiday with you, and light these candles. Chanukah teaches us that a small light can push back a great deal of darkness. This week, that lesson is sorely needed. I was devastated by the horrific shooting in Australia on Bondi Beach. It is simply heartbreaking. As I light the Chanukiyah this year, my thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. May the memory of those who are lost be a blessing. And may these Chanukah lights remind us of the strength, resilience, and courage of the Jewish community. In Australia, in Brussels, and around the world. We share your grief. And we stand with you.

Tonight, it is all the more important to celebrate this holiday joyfully and publicly. The best place for a Chanukiyah, I am told, is at the window of the house, in public sight. This is because the lights of Chanukah are meant to be shared, to illuminate the streets and spaces around us. But today, too many Jews do not feel safe to light a Chanukiyah in the window. Or wear a kippah in public. Or a Star of David around their necks. Many must walk past armed guards to attend the synagogue and worry about sending their children to school. The night around us has indeed grown dark. The old evil is once again rearing its head. There can be no place for the poison of antisemitism. Especially in Europe. Because freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom from fear – these are fundamental to our European Union. And today, this is our responsibility. We must ensure that Chanukiyot can shine from windows across the continent, just as this one shines in Brussels tonight. In times when Jewish life is so much under pressure, I welcome all the more the creation of the House of Jewish Life in the heart of the European quarter, dear Nehama and Avi. Because let me be very clear: Jewish history is European history. Jewish culture is European culture. And Jewish life must be able to flourish for Europe to flourish fully. This is something which is enshrined in our European Union.

This work starts with safety and security, particularly for places of worship. Our Union provides ongoing support for security at synagogues and other religious sites. But more must be done to bring all communities to the same level of preparedness. So we will continue to invest in practical protection measures. Because, my dear friends, praying should be a matter of belief, not an act of bravery. We are also working to fight antisemitic speech online, with a dedicated network of trusted flaggers. We need to do more to prevent online manipulation of young people and vulnerable groups. This is why next month we will launch new measures to prevent and counter radicalisation and antisemitic narratives so that hate no longer festers and spreads. Safety measures like these are the first necessary steps. But we must go further. Chanukah teaches us that when darkness gathers, we light the candle. This is true today. One of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism is a bright, thriving Jewish community. One of the strongest antidotes is for this Jewish community to be present, to be seen. So, in addition to these protective measures, our Union is supporting Jewish history, Jewish culture, and education. And we are finding more opportunities to celebrate Jewish life in public. The last time I joined you at this ceremony, I made a promise that we would establish a prize to celebrate Jewish cultural heritage and its central role in shaping European identity. Tonight, I am glad to say that in 2026, we will announce the first winner of the Simone Veil Prize for European Jewish Cultural Heritage. It was Veil herself who said: ‘Le judaïsme a pris plus de place pour les valeurs qu'il m'a apportées, ces valeurs de tolérance, de liberté d'esprit, de démocratie.' Tolerance, freedom of mind, and democracy. These are Jewish values. These are European values. And we will continue working to ensure they shape our public life.

Dear friends,

In a moment, after we have lit the candles, we will hear music. For as much as this holiday honours perseverance and courage, it is also a celebration. Music, laughter, good food, and good friends. These are the brightest lights of the season, our candles against the dark. I wish the blessings of this holiday to all who celebrate.

Thank you so much, again, and Chag Sameach.