Letters | With anti-Semitism on the rise during the pandemic, we can all do our bit to push back

The UN resolution on Holocaust denial adopted in January contains practical measures that countries, individuals and the community can take to counter the disturbing escalation in anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks around the world

Racism and other prejudice

Letters

Published: 2:30pm, 27 Feb 2022

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In a joint effort by Germany and Israel, a United Nations resolution on Holocaust denial was adopted by consensus in the General Assembly last month, very close to the time we marked all over the world, including in Hong Kong, International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.

This year’s commemoration of the Shoah of the Jewish people is especially important, mainly due to the disturbing escalation in anti-Semitic rhetoric and attacks around the world since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anti-Semitism takes many forms and has many causes. It has led to the persecution of the Jewish people since antiquity and should have disappeared with the advent of modern human rights. Yet instead of waning, anti-Semitism and its accompanying violence are on the march.

Anti-Semitism can emanate from individuals, religious leaders, societies and governments across the globe, even in places where there are no Jews. Politically, anti-Semitism stems from both the far right and the far left.

Anti-Semitism has always thrived in times of unrest, when conspiracy theories spread and scapegoats are sought.

The ascent of social media, combined with the pandemic forcing many interactions to move online, have created a toxic ecosystem in which Jews are frequently targeted for hatred. And anti-Semitic words often lead to appalling acts of violence.

Holocaust denial is nothing new, however the deniers can now reach audiences prepped to believe conspiracy theories by these uncertain times. With an Anti-Defamation League survey in 2014 finding that only 54 per cent of the world’s population had ever heard of the Holocaust, it is no wonder that deniers exploit this knowledge deficiency to promote anti-Semitism.

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The UN resolution on Holocaust denial contains practical measures, such as calling on states and UN agencies to proactively develop education programmes, and introduces the international community to the need for tech companies to act against anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.

Individuals and communities can join in this effort by encouraging their governments to prioritise anti-Semitism and to take the threat it creates seriously. Providing support for Holocaust education initiatives will help ensure that current and future generations have the tools to resist the lure of conspiracy theories, hate speech and disinformation.

Concerned people everywhere can push for the universal adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definitions of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial and distortion, which are instrumental in identifying these phenomena without impinging on freedom of expression.

Ignorance of the Shoah of the Jewish people only seven decades ago should no longer be acceptable. Silence in the face of anti-Semitism can no longer be tolerated. As the last generation of Holocaust survivors reaches old age, the burden of remembering the past and teaching future generations passes to us all.

Stefanie Seedig, consul general of Germany in Hong Kong, and Amir Lati, consul general of Israel in Hong Kong