UN rights chief calls for global ‘zero tolerance’ against antisemitism

This comes just a day after the UN human rights office (OHCHR) issued a statement expressing horror over the reported summary execution of six Israeli hostages who were among those abducted by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the 7 October terror attacks.

Their bodies were recovered by the Israeli military over the weekend, from a tunnel near the border with Egypt, according to news reports.

Following the news, OHCHR’s High Commissioner, Volker Türk called for an “independent, impartial and transparent investigation and for perpetrators to be held to account.”

‘Sharp rise’ following 7 October

In his statement on Wednesday at a workshop on the issue in Geneva, Mr. Türk noted an increase in reports of antisemitic attacks and hate speeches globally, with a “sharp rise” occurring following the attacks on southern Israel, which ignited the on-going war in Gaza.

He said antisemitic acts have “left deep scars that are hard to heal. But we can – and must – learn from them.”

He said both the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) have been guided and strengthened by the fundamental goal of overcoming “hatred and ignorance that drive violence, destruction and dehumanisation.”

Tackling antisemitism

The rights chief noted that “People have been attacked. Lives have been threatened” following the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October.

“Homes and religious buildings have been defaced with messages meant to frighten and provoke hate,” he continued.

The High Commissioner further noted a spike in hateful language toward the Jewish community on social media as well as “inflammatory and toxic rhetoric” used by “irresponsible political leaders.”

“This is unacceptable, and we must tackle it together in all its forms,” Mr. Türk said.

Zero tolerance

Mr. Türk highlighted his recent call for zero tolerance of antisemitism in sports at the Human Rights Council’s panel on promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal. 

He also said his office hosted a panel discussion in Berlin, alongside the World Jewish Congress, on combating antisemitism in football during the UEFA European Football Championship.

“It is imperative that States and other actors take steps to address [antisemitism] – as well as all forms of hate speech that weaponise our diversity of origins and beliefs,” he said.

Addressing this issue will require prohibiting the advocacy of forms of hatred that lead to violence and delivering full protection of the law for all communities, the rights chief said.

Mr. Türk is encouraging member states to develop anti-discrimination laws and members of society to have a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism.

“Antisemitism is not just an affront to Jewish communities; it is an assault on our collective humanity – breeding division, discrimination and violence,” Mr. Türk said. “We all have a duty to eliminate it.”