Tony Blair appointed as chairperson of organisation that combats anti-Semitism

Tony Blair, former Labour Prime Minister, has been appointed as the chairperson of an organisation that combats anti-Semitism and anti-extremism.

Blair will head up the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR), which is described as an “opinion-making and advisory body”.

The ECTR wants European countries to introduce legislation that will make clearer definitions on racism and anti-Semitism and make Holocaust denial a criminal offence. The organisation also wants governments to provide security at synagogues and Jewish schools, and it has campaigned for tougher extremism laws.

Although Blair will not be paid directly for the role, it’s reported that his faith foundation will receive an annual donation.

Blair has written a joint article with the ECTR’s president Moshe Kanto in The Times (£) . In this they warn that Europe is heading into dangerous territory, witnessing a slow rate of economic growth. They argue:

“There have been three points in the past hundred years when annual GDP growth in Europe went below 1%: first in 1913, just before the first world war, second in 1938, just before the second world war and third, in 2014. Economic decline fuels instability and we know these concerns are being felt across the world.”

They go on to write:

“As has been said before, but is worth repeating, prejudice and racism often starts with the softest targets, be it Jews or others, but it never ends there. Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem, but one infecting the whole of society and needs to be tackled for the sake of us all.”

“It is our firm belief that it is not religion or faith per se that causes or foments conflict. It is the abuse of religion, which then becomes a mask behind which those bent on death and destruction all too often hide. The real issues are far more complex and demand greater tolerance, understanding and legislative powers to achieve a solution.”

This news comes after Blair announced he would be standing down as Special Envoy of the Middle East Quartet.