Countering Antisemitism Through Education

GENEVA – The World Jewish Congress convened diplomats and experts on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations Human Rights Council session to expose gaps in the global fight against antisemitism. Speakers at Tuesday’s event in Geneva, including current and former UN officials, addressed both online and in-person manifestations of anti-Jewish hatred and their impact on WJC’s affiliated Jewish communities.

Key Takeaways:

Dr. Leon Saltiel, Director of Diplomacy, World Jewish Congress (WJC), emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer learning in dismantling antisemitic rhetoric, Holocaust denial, and distortion. He underscored the need for direct engagement and education to counter harmful biases and foster greater understanding.

Professor Ahmed Shaheed, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, stressed that combating antisemitism must start with teacher training to promote inclusion, warning that education alone does not automatically prevent hate and can even reinforce prejudices. He highlighted UNESCO’s Declaration of Principles on Tolerance as a key framework for shaping young leaders who champion diversity while resisting antisemitism and other forms of hate.

Karel Fracapane, Programme Specialist at UNESCO, outlined UNESCO’s four-step strategy to combat antisemitism through education: (1) leaders must unequivocally condemn antisemitism, even in countries with small or no Jewish communities; (2) governments should actively engage Jewish communities in policymaking rather than leaving them to navigate threats alone; (3) antisemitism education must be integrated into a broader approach that includes security for Jewish institutions and efforts to curb online hate speech; and (4) Holocaust education alone is not enough—students must also learn about modern antisemitism, Holocaust distortion, and antisemitic narratives disguised as anti-Israel rhetoric.

Mikolaj Wrzecionkowski, Deputy Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, OSCE/ODIHR, highlighted four key improvements for antisemitism education. He emphasized the need to expand Holocaust education beyond history lessons by including contemporary antisemitism to combat the misconception that it is a relic of the past. He underscored the role of technology, citing Auschwitz-Birkenau’s virtual tour and AI-powered survivor testimonies from the USC Shoah Foundation as tools to engage students. He also stressed the importance of peer-to-peer learning, using Norway’s Jewish Pathfinders program as a model for Jewish youth-led discussions to counter conspiracy myths. Finally, he called for developing students’ critical thinking skills to help them recognize and challenge antisemitic narratives.

Moritz Wein, Deputy Head of Department, Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, detailed Austria’s three-tiered approach to addressing antisemitism in education. In the wake of the October 7 terror attacks, Austria appointed antisemitism-prevention coordinators across all nine education boards to support teachers. As a medium-term initiative, the government launched a two-year research project to assess Jewish students’ experiences and shape policies accordingly. In the long term, Austria has mandated antisemitism training for all future teachers, with plans to extend the requirement to university educators.

Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, closed the event by emphasizing that antisemitism is a direct threat to religious freedom, as hate speech and violence deprive Jewish communities of their right to practice their faith without fear. She called for education to foster religious tolerance, confronting historical misconceptions that fuel antisemitism. She also urged governments to monitor and swiftly respond to antisemitic incidents, ensuring Jewish communities receive the protection and support they need.

The World Jewish Congress plays a vital role in advocating for Jewish communities at the United Nations in Geneva, working to ensure that the fight against antisemitism remains a priority on the international human rights agenda. As the voice of Jewish communities worldwide, WJC actively engages with UN bodies, diplomats, and civil society to expose the real-world impact of antisemitic hatred and push for concrete action. This week, WJC also facilitated a critical meeting between relatives of current Israeli hostages and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, urging the international community to do more to secure their immediate release.