In a speech at the opening of a major workshop dedicated to the fight against anti-Semitism organized at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the President of the HRC recalled the urgency of action against anti-Semitism, noting of an alarming 30% increase in anti-Semitic incidents across the world over the past year.
Speaking before several high-level representatives involved in the fight against anti-Semitism, he affirmed that this worrying phenomenon was closely linked to other forms of hatred, such as xenophobia and racism, and that these extremist currents represent a threat directly to the values of equality and human dignity.
Mr.Zniber highlighted the importance of education in the fight against anti-Semitism, calling for the implementation of educational programs from a very young age in order to deconstruct the stereotypes that fuel this hatred.
He also highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders in promoting interfaith dialog and social cohesion and that of the media in disseminating messages of coexistence and tolerance, rather than hatred.
The Moroccan ambassador, however, stressed that “the fight against anti-Semitism must never be diverted to target other religions”.
In this sense, “opposition to anti-Semitism must not allow, through its abusive use, the continuation of injustices against other people,” he added, before adding that “we must remain vigilant in the face of all forms of exploitation that seek to transform the fight against hatred into a tool of oppression.”
As president of the Human Rights Council, Omar Zniber also recalled the concrete actions taken by this UN body, notably the adoption of Resolution 40/17 in 2019, which strongly condemns all forms of religious intolerance , including anti-Semitism.
Ambassador Zniber also cited Morocco as an example of successful coexistence between the Jewish and Muslim communities, a tradition dating back more than 1,400 years.
He recalled the historic role of the late His Majesty Mohammed V in the protection of Jews during the Second World War and the current commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, for the preservation of Jewish heritage in morocco. This Moroccan model, according to him, illustrates that coexistence and mutual respect are not only possible, but also achievable realities in the fight against all forms of discrimination and hatred.
Placed under the theme: “Working together to fight anti-Semitism: a global human rights challenge”, this event brought together several participants, including special envoys, government representatives, international organizations, as well as members of civil society.
Among the distinguished speakers were the High Representative of the United nations Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Ambassador deborah Lipstadt, United States Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism, Ambassador Felix Klein, German government commissioner for the fight against anti-Semitism, michèle Taylor, ambassador, permanent representative of the United States to the Human Rights Council of the UN, and Katharina von Schnurbein, European Coordinator for the fight against anti-Semitism.
What strategies are being implemented globally too combat rising anti-Semitism?
Interview: Fighting Anti-Semitism on a Global Scale
Editor of Time.news: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today, Ambassador Omar Zniber, President of the Human Rights Council. recently, you spoke at a major workshop in Geneva focusing on the urgent need to confront anti-Semitism. Can you tell us what prompted this urgency?
Ambassador Zniber: Thank you for having me.The alarming 30% increase in anti-Semitic incidents worldwide over the past year is a major crisis that we cannot ignore. It’s not just an issue for the Jewish community, but a threat to all the values we cherish – equality and human dignity.Anti-Semitism is intricately linked with other forms of hatred, such as xenophobia and racism, which underscores the need for immediate and coordinated action.
Editor: In your speech, you emphasized the importance of education in combating anti-Semitism. Can you elaborate on that?
Ambassador Zniber: Absolutely. Education is a powerful tool in dismantling the stereotypes and misconceptions that fuel anti-Semitism. We must introduce educational programs about tolerance and acceptance from a very young age. This will help cultivate an understanding among future generations, making them more resistant to bigotry and discrimination.
Editor: You also highlighted the critical role of religious leaders. How can they contribute to this cause?
Ambassador Zniber: Religious leaders can foster interfaith dialog and promote social cohesion. They hold significant influence in their communities and can lead by example, advocating for respect and understanding across different faiths. By addressing anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred within their discussions, they can create climates of acceptance rather than division.
editor: You mentioned the importance of media in this fight as well.What responsibility do they have?
Ambassador Zniber: The media have a crucial role in shaping public perception and discourse. It’s imperative that they focus on messages of coexistence and tolerance rather of fueling division and hatred. When the media promotes narratives that celebrate diversity,it can substantially contribute to countering anti-Semitism.
Editor: You cautioned against using the fight against anti-Semitism as a means to target other religions. why is this crucial?
Ambassador Zniber: The fight against any form of hatred should not come at the expense of others. it’s essential to remain vigilant against the abuse of this struggle, ensuring it does not morph into a tool for oppressing different groups.Our goal is to address all injustices, not to create new ones in the process.
Editor: The workshop you attended gathered various high-level representatives. What outcomes do you hope will emerge from such collaboration?
Ambassador Zniber: Events like these are a pivotal step towards collective action. By uniting different stakeholders—from governments to civil society—we can share best practices, create responsive policies, and combine our efforts to tackle anti-Semitism holistically. It’s about working together to uphold human rights universally.
Editor: Lastly, you cited Morocco as a model of coexistence between Jewish and Muslim communities. How can other nations learn from this example?
Ambassador Zniber: Morocco’s historical commitment to protecting its Jewish population and preserving Jewish heritage demonstrates that coexistence is not just an ideal, but an achievable reality. Countries can learn from our long-standing traditions of mutual respect and collaboration. By fostering inclusive policies and recognizing the shared human values, we can create societies where diversity is celebrated.
Editor: Thank you, Ambassador Zniber, for sharing your insights on this critical global human rights challenge.
Ambassador Zniber: It was my pleasure. Together, we can work toward a world free of hatred and discrimination.