Frans Timmermans, a former foreign minister of the Netherlands and the vice-president of the European Commission, has said he will act as the EU's first envoy on antisemitism.
Announcing his new role, Mr Timmermans said in a speech to Jewish leaders at an EU event in Brussels last week: "The importance we attach to fighting antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred also means that we do not just want to listen to you and your concerns today."
Mr Timmermans, who is responsible for better regulation, the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, added: "I want to be in direct control of this. I will be your envoy if you want to call it that."
He continued: "New antisemitism… sometimes tries to hide behind anti-Zionism."
