The Muslim Jewish Leadership Council (MJLC) is deeply disturbed by the violent antisemitic attack targeting a group of Jewish teenagers and their supervisors in Bulgaria, on 2 August 2026.
According to reports, a mob of neo-Nazi extremists surrounded the hotel where the young people were staying, attempted to force entry, and subjected them to intimidation while shouting Nazi slogans and making Hitler salutes. The fact that Jewish teenagers on an educational visit were deliberately targeted because of their identity is reprehensible and has no place in any society.
The MJLC unequivocally condemns this act of antisemitic hatred. Antisemitism, like all forms of racism and religious hatred, threatens not only those directly targeted but the fabric of diverse and democratic societies. The glorification of Nazi ideology and the intimidation of Jewish communities must never be normalised or tolerated.
We stand in solidarity with the young people, their families, their educators, and the Jewish communities affected by this attack. Every person should be able to travel, learn, worship, and express their identity free from fear, intimidation, or violence.
We welcome the response of law enforcement in protecting those under threat and call on the Bulgarian authorities to ensure that those responsible are thoroughly investigated and held accountable. Acts of hate must be met with a clear and resolute response from governments, law enforcement, and community leaders alike.
As a council bringing together Muslim and Jewish leaders, we reaffirm our shared commitment to confronting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hatred. The hateful ideology espoused by right-wing extremists is not only a threat to Jewish and Muslim communities across Europe; it is a threat to society as a whole, undermining democratic values, social cohesion, and the peaceful coexistence on which diverse societies depend. Our communities understand the profound harm caused by prejudice and extremism, and we remain united in promoting mutual respect, safeguarding human dignity, and building societies where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live in safety and peace.
Hatred seeks to divide. Our response must be one of solidarity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to our shared humanity.
