World leaders meet in Sweden to discuss how social media affects anti-Semitism
World leaders met in Sweden this week for the International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and discussed how social media affects anti-Semitism.
“Anti-Semitism is an infusion of hatred in the pockets of ignorance, a destructive force that tears down all virtues in its path,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog. “It will require not only improving Holocaust education in schools, such as Yad Vashem’s outstanding programs, but also working aggressively on social media, including engaging with and confronting social media companies to ensure that hate speech is quickly removed.”
According to CBN News, YouTube and Facebook officials have said they will also work to quickly eliminate hate speech from their online sites.
Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said the company “now removes 15 times more hate speech than just five years ago. And we will not stop.”
Facebook has promised more than $ 5.8 million for the effort.
The United States has earmarked $ 1 million to fight online anti-Semitism in the Middle East and North Africa, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The United States has also launched “an expanded series of international leadership programs for visitors” to confront anti-Semitism in North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, he said.
“Our priorities include condemning and countering anti-Semitism, ensuring physical security for Jewish communities, supporting Holocaust education, especially for young people, protecting religious freedom and urging countries to engage more deeply in the fight against online hate speech,” Blinken said in a video.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said anti-Semitism was a “poison to our democracies”, and the European Union hopes to appoint European ambassadors in memory of the Holocaust.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said she is planning new memorial sites, Holocaust museums and educational programs about the Holocaust.
Dani Dayani, president of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, said the forum was a success.
“In light of the alarming rise of anti-Semitism worldwide, Malmöforum provides an important international platform to raise global awareness of the need for Holocaust and an opportunity for government officials and the world community to unite in the fight against this destructive and ancient phenomenon,” he said. he.
Photo with permission: © Dole / Unsplash
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has been covering news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, US News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The migraine runner.