37 Nations Skip UN Durban Event

37 Nations Skip UN Durban Event

 

In September 2021, the United Nations planned to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Durban World Conference against Racism. Held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, that conference was meant to offer the international community a chance to address all forms of discrimination. Instead, it devolved into an antisemitic hate fest. Israel was demonized as racist and Jewish attendees were threatened and intimidated.

For months leading up to the commemoration, American Jewish Committee (AJC) delivered a clear message to government officials in key nations: if your country is committed to combating antisemitism, you must skip the UN’s Durban event and support alternative, nondiscriminatory initiatives to address racism.

Ultimately, 36 countries and Israel stood united and refused to take part in this tainted event.

You can learn more about the Durban Conference below.

Show your support today.

 

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Anti-Israel and antisemitic protestors gather in Durban, South Africa in 2001
The Durban Diaries with an Introduction by AJC's Simone Rodan Benzaquen
This powerful narrative, with an incisive introduction by AJC's Simone Rodan Benzaquen, recounts in searing detail the experience of Jewish student advocates who attended the 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa and experienced first-hand the virulent hatred and demonization of Jews for which that conference has become notorious. Its vivid description of the force and impact on Jewish participants that resulted from the rampant antisemitic displays at the conference's NGO Forum make it a powerful story of the potential for left-wing antisemitism, if left unchecked, to corrupt and undermine interfaith and intergroup solidarity movements and efforts to promote respect for the human rights of vulnerable groups.
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Various flags from around the world
The Impact of the UN's Antisemitic Durban Conference: 20 Years Later - AJC Advocacy Anywhere
20 years ago, the UN held a conference in Durban, South Africa. The stated goal was to promote effective and sustained action to eliminate all forms of racism and racial discrimination. Instead, the conference became a forum to attack and vilify Israel, and threaten Jewish groups in attendance. Watch American Jewish Committee's special program remembering this infamous conference and its enduring legacy.
Watch the Video
antisemitism france photo
Meet the French Philosopher Who Forecast Durban, New Antisemitism
AJC Managing Director of Europe Simone Rodan-Benzaquen recently sat down with Pierre-André Taguieff, author of The New Judeophobia, the first book published in France to grasp the scope of what happened in Durban.
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Quenelle
Lessons from Durban for the 21st Century
The hate narrative framed at Durban has spread, and it is now alive and well—including in the U.S. The decision of some twenty countries refusing to participate in the Durban anniversary conference is an important and welcome sign in the recognition that all forms of racism, including antisemitism, need to be fought.
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Sign with swastika and Jewish star outside of 2001 Durban Conference
People of the Pod: Hitler, Nazis, and Swastikas: What It Was Like To Be a Jew At the UN’s 2001 Durban Conference
Ahead of the UN’s upcoming 20th anniversary event commemorating the antisemitic and anti-Israel 2001 UN Durban Conference, we hear from Joelle Fiss, who, as a Jewish student 20 years ago, attended the Conference. While the 2001 UN Durban Conference was meant to offer the chance for the international community to address racism, it quickly devolved into a platform for antisemitic hate. In this poignant conversation, Fiss shares her horrific experience from the event and details how it contributed to today’s rapid spread of antisemitism.
Listen to the Podcast
UN and Flags
If Europe Is Serious About Fighting Antisemitism, It Must Skip Durban 20
Countries are lining up to declare they will not attend the20th anniversary of the UN’s notorious 2001 World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa. The gathering is set to take place on September 22, during the opening days of the UN General Assembly.
Read AJC's Analysis
Flags
It’s Time To Reject Racism But Disconnect From Durban
All responsible governments should now do what they should have done 20 years ago: Reject racism but disconnect from Durban. More countries should join those that have said they will not participate on September 22. They must reject Durban and any other anti-racism agenda that is tainted by antisemitism.
Read AJC's Analysis
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