Russian tycoon reinstated as European Jewish Congress president

Russian entrepreneur and philanthropist Moshe (Vyacheslav) Kantor has been overwhelmingly re-elected as president of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), securing nearly two-thirds of the vote in a general assembly held Wednesday in Jerusalem.

Kantor, who previously served as EJC president from 2007 until 2022, was forced to step down during his fourth term after being placed on multiple international sanctions lists as a result of the Ukraine conflict.

After the European Union and Switzerland rescinding their respective sanctions against Kantor earlier this year, he returned to the race and defeated interim president Ariel Muzicant of Austria.

Kantor, who also holds British and Israeli citizenship, emphasized the urgency of his return in light of growing antisemitism and increasing polarization in Europe.

“What we are witnessing is not only a threat to Jewish communities, it is a threat to the very foundations of European democracies,” Kantor told delegates. “If left unchecked, this growing hatred will erode the social fabric of our societies. We are already seeing increased polarization as the extremes gain strength and moderation is pushed aside.”

The EJC represents over 40 Jewish national organizations and more than two million Jews across Europe. Headquartered in Brussels, the organization engages in advocacy on issues ranging from antisemitism and Holocaust memory to interfaith dialogue and minority rights.

Kantor pledged to expand the EJC’s work, stressing the importance of unity with Israel and noting that the October 7 terrorist attack had reshaped how European Jews view their place in the world.

“After October 7, every Jew in Europe knows that his or her destiny is absolutely tied to the destiny of the Jewish state,” Kantor said. He reaffirmed that the EJC would remain fully supportive of Israel, stating: “We will never criticize Israel in international media. We may have concerns, like any true friend. But we express them respectfully, privately and always with care.”

Kantor also thanked his opponent Muzicant for “his devoted leadership in these recent difficult years,” and called for renewed unity across the Jewish diaspora.

Muzicant had urged Kantor not to run again due to his ongoing presence on certain national sanctions lists, such as those maintained by the UK, Poland, and Estonia. However, Kantor’s supporters insisted he was the most experienced and impactful candidate to lead the organization.

Kantor’s net worth is estimated at $9.5 billion by Forbes, largely stemming from his leadership of Acron, a major Russian fertilizer producer. Beyond his EJC role, Kantor is known for his decades of philanthropic and civic work. He founded the World Holocaust Forum and previously served on the boards of Yad Vashem and Tel Aviv University. He also led the Russian Jewish Congress from 2005 to 2009 and established the European Jewish Fund.