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NEW YORK, NY — Twenty-five years ago, the United Nations-sponsored World Conference against Racism met in Durban, South Africa. Intended to unite countries in the fight against racism, the conference quickly devolved into a forum to vilify and isolate Israel, Jews and Zionists. The hatred and antisemitism on display have had long-reaching effects, contributing to the tsunami of global antisemitism of recent years.
In response to efforts at the 2026 UN General Assembly to commemorate the anniversary, the UN-affiliated NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP) and its member organizations, including Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America; the International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW); Jewish Women International; and Women’s League for Conservative Judaism issued the following statement:
“The UN-affiliated NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace and our member organizations work to fight antisemitism at the United Nations and around the world. Twenty-five years later, the hateful, antisemitic legacy of the Durban Conference is not something the United Nations or any nation should celebrate. We urge foreign leaders to stand against all forms of antisemitism and decline to participate in or legitimize the commemoration of the Durban Conference scheduled for September 28th during the General Assembly meetings.
“We welcome meaningful dialogue and strategies to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia. Twenty-five years ago, the Durban Conference, meant to be an opportunity to address racism, became a platform for hatred during which antisemitic materials were prevalent and Jewish organizations and individuals were harassed and intimidated. It is something we should all recall with horror and repugnance, not commemoration and celebration. In an era in which antisemitism and violence against Jews continue to rise around the world, with dire effects on individuals and communities, we should be working instead to promote understanding and peace.
“We call on global and UN leaders to condemn the antisemitism that permeated the Durban Conference a quarter of a century ago and oppose ongoing efforts at the UN and elsewhere to isolate and demonize Israel and the Jewish people.”
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About the Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP):
The NGO Committee to End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP) is constituted as an Affiliate Substantive Committee of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CoNGO) in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. It was formed in New York and was approved in Vienna on April 27, 2023, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the establishment of CoNGO. It is the 38th Committee of CoNGO. The mission of the EASAPP is to combat antisemitism, bigotry, hate, and genocide, and promote peace. It supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a blueprint for peace and prosperity including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ngo-easapp.org
About Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America:
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest Jewish women’s organization in America. With nearly 300,000 members, donors and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change on such critical issues as ensuring Israel’s security, combating antisemitism and promoting women’s health. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization, its Jerusalem-based medical center, Hadassah helps support exemplary care for more than 1 million people each year and pioneering medical research. Hadassah’s hospitals serve without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for "building bridges to peace" through medicine. Hadassah also supports two youth villages in Israel that set vulnerable teens and pre-teens on the path to a rewarding future. hadassah.org
About the International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW):
The International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) represents Jewish women from all walks of life in many important international forums and is strategically positioned to confront and respond to the concerns of the Jewish community and women in general. ICJW has consultative status at the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and ICJW representatives regularly attend meetings of the UN General Assembly, ECOSOC, UNICEF and UNESCO. Believing that women’s rights are human rights, ICJW lobbies for an end to discrimination against women in all spheres of life. In its battle against intolerance, ICJW campaigns alongside people of goodwill to combat racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of religious discrimination. In the spirit of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – our independent affiliates and their regional divisions choose their own action priorities. ICJW has thirty-five affiliated organizations around the world. icjw.org
About Jewish Women International (JWI):
Jewish Women International (JWI) is a 130-year-old organization empowering Jewish women to lead and thrive by fighting gender-based violence, preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse, building pathways to long-term economic security, and strengthening access to every level of leadership in our communities, workplaces, and country. JWI's Young Women's Impact Networks (YWIN) span 13 states and build community, mentoring, and support for Jewish women in their 20s and 30s. JWI is now expanding YWIN internationally, and building out programs that respond to the needs identified in the organization's 2026 survey of the impact of antisemitism and misogyny on young, Jewish women. jwi.org
About Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ):
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) engages, enriches, empowers and unites our Conservative/Masorti members. We promote the sense of community, provide opportunities for learning and advocacy, and cultivate leaders. We are committed to Israel and the Torah Fund Campaign. Women’s League for Conservative Judaism supports its network of individual members and 400 sisterhoods and synagogue women’s groups. wlcj.org