EPNA | Check-In on Preventing Extremist Violence

Understanding radicalization processes and developing effective counter-strategies are critically important for practitioners against antisemitism in the field. This is why EPNA members were invited to learn about radicalization and counter- strategies in EPNA’s September check-in.

Extremist violence not only causes immense personal suffering; its normalization and missing answers from civil society endanger the trust of affected communities and, eventually, the solidarity within European societies.

Violence Prevention Network (VPN) has been internationally recognized for its expertise in working with ideologically motivated offenders, including those involved in right-wing, religiously motivated, left-wing extremism, and what is often termed “new ideologies”, including incels, Reichsbürger, and conspiracy theorists.

As a platform dedicated to fostering knowledge exchange, EPNA hosted an online check-in on September 5, 2024, to discuss strategies for preventing extremist violence. This meeting, attended by 19 participants, focused on methods to combat extremist ideologies, particularly those with antisemitic components.

The atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, as well as the recent attack in Solingen, Germany, and the foiled attack near the Israeli consulate in Munich, have intensified the debate on how to effectively counter extremist violence. Many extremist ideologies are characterized by antisemitic elements, making it crucial for practitioners against antisemitism to gain an understanding of radicalization processes and extremism prevention strategies.

During the meeting, VPN presented its work and methodologies to the EPNA network members. Niv Zonis, project manager at VPN, provided insights into their approach and answered participants’ questions.

VPN suggests an approach to prevent extremism that involves three levels of intervention:

1. Primary Prevention:

   Focuses on building resilience by addressing life challenges, political resentments, and improving living conditions. It includes investments in education, social welfare, and dialogue to prevent the initial steps towards radicalization.

2. Secondary Prevention:

   Targets individuals already on the path to radicalization, such as those consuming extremist content online but who have not yet committed any violent acts.

3. Tertiary Prevention:

   Engages with individuals who have already committed acts of violence, usually within prisons or other rehabilitation institutions, facilitated by state agencies, NGOs, or civil society organizations.

   The goal here is to disengage and distance these individuals from violence.

   VPN’s strategy includes generating a holistic understanding of each case, which involves examining the client’s living environment, social circumstances, and belief systems. This comprehensive perspective allows for more effective interventions tailored to individual needs.

You can also learn more about extremism and antisemitism here:

• Antisemitism as a part of almost all extremist ideologies and narratives
• The place of antisemitism in P/CVE work within the EU
• Antisemitism in Islamist Extremism
• The rise of antisemitism online during the pandemic

EPNA remains committed to unite institutions and individuals in the fight against antisemitism through shared expertise and innovative approaches. The next online check-in will take place on Oct 10, 2024, at 9:00 am CET.

If you are interested to join, please write us an email: practitionersnetwork@dialogueperspectives.org