Combating anti-semitism with dialogue
This week, the European Union announced a new strategy to combat anti-semitism and foster Jewish life. It was welcome news, especially in light of the anti-semitic graffiti that was found on the site of the former Auschwitz-birkenau death camp.
At the launch of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI), an organization I founded, in New York this week, I took a moment to commend United Nations ambassadors Alexander Marschik of Austria and Michal Mlynar of the Slovak Republic, on their countries’ work in advancing an international pledge against anti-semitism at the International Human Rights Council (IHRC) in Geneva. Over 48 countries signed onto that resolution at the notoriously anti-israel organization.
In the fight against anti-semitism, what the world requires is a comprehensive engagement policy that brings together partnerships through open and oftentimes frank dialogue. At AGPI’S meeting with Ilze Brands Kehris, the assistant secretary general of the United Nations Human Rights Office, we began a conversation about the biased framework at the UN, particularly at the IHRC — where Israel is the only country listed on its permanent agenda.
Alongside the EU strategy to combat anti-semitism, our approach is to work with UN stakeholders and leaders to root out systemic bias in international bodies. If we are going to stay true to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its principles must be applied in a fair and balanced way. In this regard, Canada can be a social influencer and a trusted voice of reason in the world.
Upon receiving AGPI’S award for human rights this week, Bob Rae, the permanent representative of Canada to the UN, said to the numerous ambassadors, representatives and Canadians gathered at Canada’s mission that, “This is a time to rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace and to the cause of human rights, which is the cause of the United Nations. To be successful at the United Nations, you need to know how to listen, how to engage with other people and to be open to learning. We look forward to following the progress of AGPI as it grows and extends its mission, which is one that is exceptionally important to the world.”
We can apply Canada’s values system as a framework to combat the biases that permeate the UN and many parts of the world. Echoing the opening remarks of AGPI’S vice-president and prominent criminal defence lawyer Leora Shemesh, “Canada is seen in the world as a beacon of diplomacy that promotes human rights, tolerance and the respect of all religions and cultures. Thus, it is incredibly fitting for our organization to share our country’s prime values of freedom and security with the rest of the world.”
Austria’s charismatic UN ambassador, Alexander Marschik, shared this sentiment, acknowledging that his country is trying to learn from the Canadian model of multiculturalism, as it changes demographically. Speaking directly about his country’s historical wrongs, particularly during the Holocaust, Ambassador Marschik acknowledged that Austria is on journey of learning and reconciliation. Austria’s increasing support for the State of Israel in recent years, including its posting of Israel’s flag on its Parliament building during the war in Gaza, is a sign that it is working to come to terms with its collaboration with Nazi Germany.
Over my 30-year career battling anti-semitism, confronting hate and discrimination, and educating people about Israel and the importance of Holocaust remembrance, I have realized that we cannot function on our own in accomplishing these lofty goals. The Abraham Accords between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan shows us that peace is possible and collaboration is critical in this effort.
Omar Hilale, Morocco’s ambassador to the UN, eloquently pointed out that the Jewish people who have been living in Morocco for centuries are intertwined with the Arabs and Berbers through their common history. “I see this initiative is looking to the future, a future that we want and need to leave for our children, a future of peace. Peace does not just mean the absence of war. It also means coexisting with each other,” he said.
The fight against anti-semitism is being understood by leading advocates as the fight for the preservation of human rights. After all, the United Nations and its Universal Declaration of Human Rights arose from the ashes of the Holocaust, a horrific genocide that manifested from anti-semitism.
As Canadians, we can become the moral compass of the world to ensure the international community never forgets that human rights also applies to rooting out anti-semitism. As Canadian Muslim leader Raheel Raza eloquently pointed out in quoting Hans Kung, there can be “no peace between nations till there is peace among religions; no peace among religions till there is dialogue among religions.”