Hitler, Nazis, and Swastikas: What It Was Like To Be a Jew At the UN’s 2001 Durban Conference

Ahead of the UN’s upcoming 20th anniversary event commemorating the antisemitic and anti-Israel 2001 UN Durban Conference, we hear from Joelle Fiss, who, as a Jewish student 20 years ago, attended the Conference. While the 2001 UN Durban Conference was meant to offer the chance for the international community to address racism, it quickly devolved into a platform for antisemitic hate. Fighting racism is a noble cause, one American Jewish Committee (AJC) joins actively. But there can be no room for antisemitism in the fight against other forms of bigotry. So far, 18 nations have announced plans to skip the September 22 event. In this poignant conversation, Fiss shares her horrific experience from the event and details how it contributed to today’s rapid spread of antisemitism.

Episode Lineup:

(0:40) Joelle Fiss

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Show Notes:

Learn more about AJC’s efforts urging nations to skip the UN’s 20th anniversary Durban event at AJC.org/Durban. 

The Durban Diaries: What really happened at the UN Conference against Racism in Durban (2001)