President von der Leyen speaks at memorial for October 7 terror attacks; EU Commission President recalls visit to Kfar Azza, expresses solidarity with victims and hostages' families

“Check against delivery”

Prime Minister De Croo,

Cher Grand Rabbin Guigui,

Cher Président Markiewicz,

Ambassador Regev,

Ambassador Rosenzweig-Abu,

Dear families of victims,

And families of hostages,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Thank you, Grand Rabbin, for opening the doors of the synagogue for this memorial, in the middle of the high holidays.  When preparing this speech, I came across a special Rosh Hashanah poem. I found it particularly telling for this solemn memorial ceremony. It says: ‘Let the year end, with its curses. Let the new year begin, with its blessings.' So, if you allow me, I would like to join you in this deep New Year wish. Because the year behind us was filled with so much tragedy.

Just days after 7 October, I travelled to Israel, to show solidarity and support in the wake of the most hideous attack, committed against Jews since the Shoah. I was in Kibbutz Kfar Azza. Where this year of tragedy began. I saw the burnt-out houses. The bullet holes in the walls. I saw a baby seat, covered in blood. Everything was silent, but it felt like the stones and trees were still screaming in horror. Kfar Azza used to be a lively kibbutz with 750 inhabitants. Hamas' terrorists turned it into a ghost town, until today. They murdered over 1,100 people in cold blood. And kidnapped hundreds more. Women. Children. Holocaust survivors. For one reason, and one reason only: Hamas terrorists killed or abducted them because they were Jews. Because they were living in the State of Israel. Today we mourn these innocent victims. And we honour their memory. May their memory be a blessing.

Our thoughts are with all those for whom time has stopped on 7 October. The 101 hostages, who are still held in captivity by Hamas. And the families, who have been waiting in angst to be reunited with their loved ones. Our thoughts are with all the innocent victims of the tragic chain of events that was set off by the terrorist group Hamas on 7 October. Because all civilians must be protected. It is time for the bloodshed to end. It is time to break the dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation, with de-escalation across the region. At the start of this New Year, may the violence finally end. May the hostages finally come home. And may there be finally peace and security for the people in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon alike.

Dear friends,

I know that this is personal for many of you. Also because you may have suffered directly from the alarming surge of antisemitism here in Europe. Synagogues have been vandalised. People have been attacked just for wearing a kippah. Students could not go to university because they did not feel safe. Hate chants against Jews suddenly resonated in Europe's streets. This is just unacceptable. And there is no justification for that. No war and no political argument can excuse antisemitism. Let me be very clear: Antisemitism is a threat to our democracy. It is a cancer that questions the very foundations of our European Union. And we shall never allow it.

In the last year, we have stepped up our work to protect Jews and Jewish life in Europe. We have increased funding for security at Jewish schools and synagogues. We have gone after social media platforms that let online hatred proliferate. And we are building a network across Europe to quickly identify antisemitic content in all European languages. I know that there is much more to do. But our goal is clear: Jewish life in Europe must flourish, not hide. And I will spare no effort to make sure that Jews can live and thrive here, in Europe, in peace. It is not only a moral duty but also a prerequisite for the Europe we know and we love. That is why I will devote even more resources to this goal.

The story of Europe is the story of the European Jews. And the future of Europe must be your future, too. This is my greatest wish for the New Year. This is a moment to reflect on the past, and for mourning our lost ones but also a moment of hope. May the New Year bring peace to all of us and the safe return home of all hostages.

Thank you very much, and Shana Tova.