“As we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, we remember the victims of the Holocaust, many of them children, and reflect on the ever present dangers of anti-Semitism.
“It has been exactly twenty years since the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Yet, around the world, there is a growing and chilling rise in anti-Semitism and hate speech.
“Anti-Semitism and other forms of discriminatory or hateful acts targeting any group, especially children, must always be rejected in the strongest terms.
“Children are not born with hate in their hearts – and they must never be the target of it. Anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination are direct attacks on the rights and well-being of children. There should be no place for hatred in this world.”
“It has been exactly twenty years since the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Yet, around the world, there is a growing and chilling rise in anti-Semitism and hate speech.
“Anti-Semitism and other forms of discriminatory or hateful acts targeting any group, especially children, must always be rejected in the strongest terms.
“Children are not born with hate in their hearts – and they must never be the target of it. Anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination are direct attacks on the rights and well-being of children. There should be no place for hatred in this world.”
What is antisemitism? The Jewish propaganda has exaggerated the idea of antisemitism to the extent that it has lost its meaning. As it stands to even mention that an Israeli soldier killed a child is criticized as antisemitism. How long can this propaganda go on? No sane person in a leadership position can defend the idea of antisemitism in the way it is being presented. The IDF has been murdering children, women and civilian in Palestine with full impunity. To criticize such murders has also become antisemitism. The days are not far for serious backlash.
ReplyDeleteYour phrase "the Jewish propaganda" is itself antisemitic.
DeleteIs this not a major political gaffe from ED Russell when she articulates about a contentious religious issue? We were taught that the UN, but also UNICEF, does not tread on issues like religion in the public domain.
ReplyDeleteDear Fouad, with respect: antisemitism is not a religious issue. We are not defined by our religion. It is an issue of ethnic identity. Nobody ever asked my father's religious beliefs before discriminating against him.
DeleteED's press briefing sounds lame––lacks soul, doesn't touch the heart. It seems a junior media assistant wrote it up––something as usual, mundane . . . in the current geo-political context, her words could have been more forceful, insightful.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Fouad & Nuzhat - at a time when the concept of "antisemitism" is being weaponized by blind supporters of Israel in the US and elsewhere; when ANY criticism of Israel is equated with antisemitism, this statement by UNICEF ED was uncalled for.
DeleteAntisemitism is racism and should be denounced as such. The more the term antisemitism is weaponised, the more important it is for us and everyone else to be aware of and clarify the difference between (i) racism and (ii) criticism of government policies and actions.
ReplyDelete