Moshe Kantor has been re-elected to steer the group after being faraway from an EU sanctions listing
Russian entrepreneur and philanthropist Moshe (Vyacheslav) Kantor has been overwhelmingly re-elected as president of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), securing practically two-thirds of the vote in a basic meeting held Wednesday in Jerusalem.
Kantor, who beforehand served as EJC president from 2007 till 2022, was pressured to step down throughout his fourth time period after being positioned on a number of worldwide sanctions lists consequently of the Ukraine battle.
After the European Union and Switzerland rescinding their respective sanctions towards Kantor earlier this 12 months, he returned to the race and defeated interim president Ariel Muzicant of Austria.
Kantor, who additionally holds British and Israeli citizenship, emphasised the urgency of his return in gentle of rising antisemitism and growing polarization in Europe.
We’re proud to introduce the newly elected Govt of the European Jewish Congress, elected right now in Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/YXrewPtjfF
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) Might 21, 2025
“What we’re witnessing just isn’t solely a risk to Jewish communities, it’s a risk to the very foundations of European democracies,” Kantor instructed delegates. “If left unchecked, this rising hatred will erode the social material of our societies. We’re already seeing elevated polarization because the extremes achieve energy and moderation is pushed apart.”
The EJC represents over 40 Jewish nationwide organizations and greater than two million Jews throughout Europe. Headquartered in Brussels, the group engages in advocacy on points starting from antisemitism and Holocaust reminiscence to interfaith dialogue and minority rights.
Kantor pledged to broaden the EJC’s work, stressing the significance of unity with Israel and noting that the October 7 terrorist assault had reshaped how European Jews view their place on the earth.
“After October 7, each Jew in Europe is aware of that his or her future is totally tied to the future of the Jewish state,” Kantor mentioned. He reaffirmed that the EJC would stay absolutely supportive of Israel, stating: “We are going to by no means criticize Israel in worldwide media. We might have considerations, like every true good friend. However we specific them respectfully, privately and all the time with care.”
Kantor additionally thanked his opponent Muzicant for “his devoted management in these latest tough years,” and known as for renewed unity throughout the Jewish diaspora.
Muzicant had urged Kantor to not run once more because of his ongoing presence on sure nationwide sanctions lists, equivalent to these maintained by the UK, Poland, and Estonia. Nevertheless, Kantor’s supporters insisted he was essentially the most skilled and impactful candidate to steer the group.
Kantor’s web price is estimated at $9.5 billion by Forbes, largely stemming from his management of Acron, a serious Russian fertilizer producer. Past his EJC function, Kantor is understood for his a long time of philanthropic and civic work. He based the World Holocaust Discussion board and beforehand served on the boards of Yad Vashem and Tel Aviv College. He additionally led the Russian Jewish Congress from 2005 to 2009 and established the European Jewish Fund.
