A/HRC/44/58
ideology of seeking to fight a so-called white genocide driven by the idea that white people
were being systematically replaced by non-white immigration, and that, in part, Jews were
behind the plot against white people. The Government pointed out that Europe had seen a
drastic increase in antisemitic incidents since 2010, while the violent crime rate in the
region had also risen, evidencing a strong correlation between the two.
12.
The Government noted that there were distinctive characteristics of antisemitism,
despite the aforementioned commonality between antisemitism and other forms of racism.
Contrary to other forms of racism, antisemitism could be found across the ideological
spectrum, uniting radicals from different political groups – mainly from radical Islam, the
far right and the extreme left. The alliance of diverse groups propagating antisemitism –
groups that were otherwise fundamentally opposed to one another – intersected and
converged against Jews and/or Israel. Such convergence was exemplified in the trends of
racism in France and Germany. According to the Government, antisemitism and antiMuslim incidents had a weak correlation in a country such as in France, where the main
source of terrorism was radical Islamism. On the contrary, all forms of racism had a strong
correlation in Germany, where the radicalized far-right group targeted all minorities.
13.
The Government highlighted that it was vital to assess the common but
differentiated phenomena in the manifestation of various forms of racism. It urged States
Members of the United Nations to take stock of the similarities and differences to address
the manifestations of intolerance and hatred of all kinds.
14.
The Government had taken measures to monitor online antisemitism. It referred to
the Antisemitism Cyber Monitoring System developed by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
The System was used to monitor antisemitic posts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube in
Arabic, English, French and German. It served as the basis for various antisemitism-related
projects by quantifying, classifying and analysing online antisemitic discourse.
15.
Israel reported on the legislative framework that it had established to combat
discrimination. The framework included amendment No. 137 to the Penal Law, 5737-1977,
which set out racial motivation or hostility towards the public as an aggravating
circumstance in the offence of murder, thereby justifying mandatory life imprisonment.
Racist remarks or expressions were prohibited during sports events. 4 It was unlawful to
provide a public service or product, or operate a public establishment, in a manner that
delayed the provision of such public service or product on the grounds of race, religion or
religious affiliation, nationality or country of origin, among others, while providing it
without delay to persons not related to that group.5
Italy
16.
The Government of Italy stated that it was committed to raising public awareness
about racism and related intolerance through educational programmes and cultural
initiatives. Through Law No. 211 of 20 July 2000, it had established the Holocaust
Memorial Day, which provided for the commemoration of the Jewish citizens and other
Italians who had been persecuted, deported, imprisoned or executed, as well as those who
had protected the persecuted. Students and young people were the critical targets of the
educational programmes the Government implemented in promoting the remembrance. The
Government referred to public events targeting young people that it had convened to
educate them about the Holocaust.
17.
The Government reported on its efforts to strengthen the capacity of its law
enforcement officials to prevent and combat all forms of discrimination. The Observatory
for Security against Acts of Discrimination had developed for law enforcement an online
4
5
Prohibition of Violence in Sports Law, 5768-2008.
Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public
Places Law, 5761-2000.
5