Two Parallel Battles: Antisemitism and Children's Rights. Meir Sasson drew on his personal history to create the "Move On" association a few months ago. It supports victims of antisemitism, helps new immigrants with their aliyah to Israel, and addresses children's rights in Europe. Deeply affected by a painful divorce in which he lost custody of his children and subsequently faced fierce antisemitism, Meir Sasson decided to take action for the good of his community. Noticing that the police and legal services do not adequately protect victims, he set up an online structure, with the help of several lawyers, to facilitate support for these individuals.
Meir was born and raised in Milan. He quickly embarked on legal studies in Paris, which he did not complete, and then began working in the fur and diamond trade in Europe until 2002. Eager for change, he then ventured into an automotive project. Some time later, he met in Italy the woman who would become his wife, with whom he moved to China for ten years, in Shenzhen. Meir thrived in the wine trade and oversaw the production of kosher products in various Asian countries, which were then exported to Israel.
In 2017, everything changes for Meir when his ex-wife moves to Italy with their children, initiates divorce proceedings, and engages in a lengthy trial with no fewer than 66 hearings. He is forced to leave China with a heavy heart. After giving the Get, he loses custody of his children and is no longer allowed to see them, even though he is declared innocent of his wife’s accusations. This family tragedy drives him to fight with all his might so that no other parent has to endure his situation.
During his trial, Meir feels the antisemitism from the judges, stating, "the hearings were always scheduled close to Jewish holidays."
"I was deprived of attending my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah and my son’s Bar Mitzvah. At that moment, I understood that I had to take action for children's rights. In Italy, there are 90,000 cases of parental alienation each year. I took an online course offered by the European Court of Human Rights, which then issues a certificate," says Meir Sasson.
Between 2017 and 2022, Meir resides in Trieste, Italy, before embarking on a tour of Eastern Europe to sell diamonds. He travels on foot through several countries, including Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland, for 18 months. While staying in a shelter in Poland, Meir becomes a victim of a serious antisemitic attack. Following a debate against Jews and Israel initiated by a resident of the shelter, Meir is violently struck in the head while he sleeps by the same man. This leads to great distress for Meir, who does not find justice in the Krakow court.
Two Traumas at the Origin of Move On
"Today, the problem of antisemitism in Europe is growing; one can now be antisemitic in a completely legal manner. The FRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) does not adequately document these incidents, which encouraged me to create my own association that includes legal support at the European level for any victim of antisemitism. Instead of going to the police to file a complaint, people can fill out a form on the website, which is sent directly to a lawyer in the country where the attack occurred, who then handles the case. The second part addresses aliyah in terms of importing personal belongings, customs, and real estate in Haifa, and the third part manages children's rights in Europe. I would like children to have the right to their own lawyer," affirms Meir.
According to Meir, since October 7, the situation in Europe regarding antisemitism is very concerning, particularly with a rise in openly expressed sentiments. "We are seeing antisemitic kids who are 13 or 14 years old, and in a few years, they will hold positions in banks, stores, or government administrations. We need to take this issue seriously right now," Meir stated, emphasizing that online antisemitism is causing significant harm. "For several weeks, I found myself responding to hundreds of antisemitic individuals on social media for four hours a day; I was even banned from LinkedIn because of my posts, with no option to appeal," he concluded.
Today, he resides in India to continue his diamond business and travels around the world.
To visit the Move On website: https://moveon.ovh/
Caroline Haïat
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