Israel’s Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism, Michal Cotler-Wunsh, has attributed the growing number of hate crimes against American Jews to a United Nations resolution that equated Zionism with racism. In an exclusive interview with Digital, Cotler-Wunsh discussed the origins of modern antisemitism in the United States, highlighting the impact of the 1975 UN resolution. She emphasized that the rise in antisemitism cannot be ignored and compared it to the transformative effect of the 9/11 attacks.
Cotler-Wunsh criticized the UN for passing the resolution, which was only revoked in 1991. She argued that the strain of antisemitism that denies Israel’s right to exist began with this resolution and has since become mainstream on North American campuses. She also condemned the UN for its failure to condemn the atrocities committed against Israeli civilians and called for accountability.
To combat antisemitism, Cotler-Wunsh highlighted the importance of defining it. She referenced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which has been adopted by numerous global entities. However, she expressed concern about the misuse of the term “Zionist” as a code word to attack Jews, particularly on social media platforms. Cotler-Wunsh emphasized the need for these platforms to adopt transparent policies and utilize the IHRA definition to address antisemitic content.
The article also noted the role of Iran’s regime as a leading state-sponsor of antisemitism and its dedication to undermining democratic values. Cotler-Wunsh stressed the significance of exposing and countering antisemitism, not only for the Jewish community and Israel but also for the preservation of democratic societies.
It is worth mentioning that Digital has launched a dedicated webpage called “Antisemitism Exposed” to address and counter the rise of antisemitism. Cotler-Wunsh commended traditional media for creating platforms to expose antisemitism and emphasized the threat it poses to democracy and societal values.
In conclusion, Cotler-Wunsh emphasized that the 1975 UN resolution and the subsequent rise in antisemitism represent a tipping point. She urged individuals, governments, and social media platforms to take action against antisemitism and protect democratic values.
