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.
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.
