President of the EAJC: I trust that the condemnation of antisemitism will mark the beginning of a new phase in the work of the UN Human Rights Council

On Monday, during the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council, a joint statement addressing the issue of antisemitism was adopted. The draft statement, initiated by representatives of Hungary, was supported by 21 nations, including Croatia, the Czech Republic, Japan, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Montenegro, the United Kingdom, Canada, Liechtenstein, Belgium, and others.

Specifically, the document highlights the rise of hatred on religious and national grounds, and in particular, antisemitism. "Jewish communities face a persistent threat of violence, including antisemitic rhetoric, vandalism, and physical assault," the document states. It further asserts that antisemitism is not solely a concern for Jewish communities, but a phenomenon that undermines society as a whole.

The document proposes several measures to counter the rise of antisemitism: implementing corresponding legislative amendments, cooperating with civil society institutions, conducting educational outreach in academic institutions, publicly condemning xenophobia and antisemitism, and protecting Jewish cultural heritage.

Michael Mirilashvili, President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, welcomed the adoption of the joint statement: "It is significant that the UN Human Rights Council has directed its attention to the rising tide of antisemitism. I hope that this decisive condemnation of antisemitism marks the beginning of a new chapter in the work of the UN Human Rights Council. In the past, this body has frequently faced justified criticism for its biased stance regarding Israel. We extend our gratitude to the initiators of this document, as well as to the representatives of the nations that supported this crucial statement. In recent years, we have witnessed a rise in antisemitic sentiment, including in Eastern European countries. We have seen acts of vandalism, high-profile antisemitic statements, and even attempts to rehabilitate Nazi collaborators and downplay their role in the annihilation of Jews during the Holocaust."

Recently, the UN Human Rights Council has been under severe criticism from the United States and Israel. Two weeks ago, US Permanent Representative to the UN Nikki Haley announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Human Rights Council. She noted that none of the member states chose to join the "fight" to reform the Council, emphasizing that the Council has become "hypocritical and self-serving."