Moreover, despite what Jewish voters — a tiny minority — actually decide when casting their ballots this week, it looks like the far right is set to become more dominant in the Parliament. Analysts are predicting they could secure nearly 30 percent of all votes across the 27-country bloc. Can we really live with that?
What does it mean for us, as a long persecuted religious and cultural minority, to rely on politicians who are openly racist and xenophobic toward Muslims, and increasingly want to trade the EU’s unity for national isolationism? After all, Europe is best defined as a collection of different minorities, ethnicities and nationalities, and that has — for at least the last several decades — helped guarantee Jews are among those who have a place here.
Let’s not forget the uncertainty surrounding the radical right’s position on Russia either — another relevant topic for Jews, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to forge tighter alliances with Iran and terrorist entities threatening Israel. Will more of this group follow the lead of Le Pen and Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and begin supporting Ukraine? Or, will we see more of them go the way of Orbán and seemingly accept Russia’s aggression?
Furthermore, as Europe’s right has moved more toward the far right, the vector of Europe’s left has changed too, with part of this political spectrum on track toward chaotic Trotsky-like ideals, calling for a constant state of revolution rather than stable democracy. Also disturbing to Jews is the fact that too many of today’s left-leaning parties and politicians in Europe are silent about antisemitism and growing Islamic extremism, and seek to weaken and isolate Israel.
Thus, as Jews, we feel we can no longer rely on the supposed mainstream embodiment of European democracy’s ideals to support our safety or destiny. There is, no doubt, much uncertainty. However, one thing is clear: We fear for the future of Europe and our place in it as a minority, no matter how we vote and no matter who wins.
