Combating Antisemitism
Legal advocacy and strategic action to protect Jewish communities across the Baltics.
Following the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel, the Baltic States witnessed a significant increase in contemporary forms of antisemitism manifested through anti-Israel propaganda, anti-Zionist incitement, and the dissemination of extremist narratives. Numerous pro-Palestinian activist groups emerged or intensified their activities across Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, utilizing social media platforms, public demonstrations, and other public forums to spread messages that frequently crossed the line from legitimate political expression into antisemitic hate speech and incitement.
These developments have created growing concerns for the safety and security of Jewish communities throughout the Baltic region, including Jewish community centers, synagogues, educational institutions, and other Jewish organizations and individuals.
In response, combating antisemitism and preventing the spread of extremist and terrorist propaganda have become core priorities of JEWNITED.LV. We employ legal advocacy, strategic litigation, public policy engagement, and cooperation with governmental institutions to challenge antisemitic hate speech and protect the rights and security of Jewish communities.
Since October 7, 2023 JEWNITED.LV has actively participated in legal proceedings and advocacy initiatives addressing antisemitic manifestations disguised as anti-Zionism or anti-Israel activism. In several landmark cases, JEWNITED successfully argued that slogans such as "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free" and "Viva Intifada," as well as similar expressions denying the Jewish people's right to self-determination and Israel's right to exist, constitute antisemitic hate speech. As a result of these legal efforts, public events promoting such slogans have been restricted or prohibited by public authorities.
These precedents have contributed to strengthening legal safeguards against antisemitic incitement in Latvia and have had a broader impact on efforts to counter antisemitic propaganda across the Baltic States. Through continued monitoring, legal action, public education, and cooperation with national and international partners, JEWNITED remains committed to ensuring that antisemitism, extremism, and hate speech have no place in Baltic societies.