The Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism[1] is an international gathering for assessing the state of antisemitism globally and formulating effective forms of societal and governmental response. The forum is a project of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[2]
The first forum took place in 2004 and has since taken place every two to three years in Jerusalem. The Sixth Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism was held from 15-21 of March 2018.[3] This forum was held in cooperation with the Israel Ministry for Diaspora Affairs.[4]
The 2018 forum focused on the continuing challenge of web antisemitism and cyberhate,[5] 1500 participants, along with senior government ministers, from Israel, Europe and Latin America attended the forum.
Statements adopted by various Global Forums
editAt the 5th GFCA, in 2015, a document confronting Cyberhate and Online Antisemitism in Europe were signed.[6] During the 6th GFCA, in 2018, Israeli Justice Minister, Ayelet Shaked, co-signed a joint statement on Countering online Hate Speech and Incitement to Violence and Terrorism, along with the Justice Ministers of Italy, Malta, and the Hellenic Republic.[7] This joint statement recognised freedom of expression as a fundamental right of a democratic society which has been enhanced by the technology of the internet; it noted however that internet companies needed to do more to combat and differentiate between freedom of expression and hate speech.
Attendees
editKey attendees of the GFCA in 2013 include:
| Country | Attendees | Title | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
 Canada
|
Dr. Mario Silva | Chairman of the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) for the year 2013 | |
 Greece
|
Konstantinos Karagounis | Deputy Minister of Justice, Transparency & Human Rights | |
 Hungary
|
Dr. Bence Retvari | Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Administration and Justice | |
 Israel
|
Zeev Elkin | Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister for Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs |
|
 Lithuania
|
Neris Germanas | Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania |
Key attendees of the GFCA in 2015 included:
| Country | Attendees | Title | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada
|
Tim Uppal | Minister of State for Multiculturalism | |
 France
|
Anne Hidalgo | Mayor of Paris | |
 Germany
|
Heiko Maas | Minister of Justice | |
| Israel
|
Benjamin Netanyahu
Naftali Bennett |
Prime Minister of Israel
Minister for Diaspora Affairs |
|
 UN
|
Nickolay Mladenov | Special UN Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process | Delivered a message from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon[8] |
Key attendees of the GFCA in 2018 included:
| Country | Atendees | Title | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bulgaria
|
Rumen Radev | President of Bulgaria | |
| France
|
Manuel Valls | former Prime Minister of France | [9] |
| Israel
|
Benjamin Netanyahu | Prime Minister of Israel
Minister of Education Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Former Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel |
Keynote Speaker |
| Greece
|
Stavros Kontonis | Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights | |
 Italy
|
Imam Yahya Sergio Yahe Pallavicini | Vice President of the Islamic Community of Italy
Minister of Justice |
|
 Malta
|
Owen Bonnici | Minister of Justice, Culture and Local Government | |
 UK
|
Ephraim Mirvis | Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth | [10] |
| UN
|
Irina Bokova | former Director-General of UNESCO | |
 US
|
Malcom I. Hoenlein | Executive Vice Chairman of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
US Ambassador to the state of Israel The former mayor of Charlottesville President of WJC Actress and Neuroscientist |
Keynote Speaker[11] |
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References
edit- ^ "The Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism (GFCA)". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- ^ Rosen, Armin (21 March 2018). "The State of Israel Confronts Anti-Semitism. But What Is It?". Tablet Magazine.
- ^ Van Zuiden, Moshe (24 March 2018). "The 6th Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism 2018, Jerusalem". Times of Israel.
- ^ "Ministry of Diaspora Affairs: AntiSemitism". www.mda.gov.il. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
- ^ "GFCA Events and Schedules" (PDF).
- ^ "Official Statement 2015". Israel Foreign Ministry.
- ^ "Official Joint Justice Minister Statement". Israel Foreign Ministry.
- ^ "Secretary-General's message to the 5th Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism [delivered by Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process]". UN.org.
- ^ Zieve, Tamara (21 March 2018). "France seeks to close loopholes allowing online antisemitism". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Sugarman, Daniel (21 March 2018). "Chief Rabbi condemns Muslim faith leaders for 'keeping shtum' on antisemitism". The Jewish Chronicle News.
- ^ Cashman, Greer Fay (18 March 2018). "Big Bang: Rivlin meets actress Mayim Bialik ahead of antisemitism forum". The Jerusalem Post.