Headlines

UN's Durban commemoration anniversary draws criticism over antisemitism
Rapper Macklemore faces renewed antisemitism accusations
Ventura mayor moves to adopt IHRA definition of antisemitism after vandalism

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch, I'm Rachel Adler. Today, we examine the global echoes of past antisemitic conferences, a prominent artist's controversial lyrics, and local efforts to combat hate.

We begin with a look at the international stage. Later this month, the UN General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting marking 25 years since the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa. Hillel Neuer of UN Watch, speaking with HonestReporting, described that original conference not as a fight against racism, but as a 'travesty' and a 'hate fest.' According to Neuer, the conference devolved into promoting racism, equating Zionism with Nazism, distributing the czarist forgery 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,' and singling out Israel as an alleged perpetrator of racism. He noted that accusations of genocide and apartheid against Israel, familiar today, were present then. Neuer is calling on all countries to withdraw from the upcoming UN commemoration, pointing out that a growing number have done so during previous follow-up events. He also stated that the United Nations itself has been a 'key driver of global antisemitism,' citing comments by the UN Secretary-General and other UN officials following the October 7th attacks.

Next, we turn to the music world, where rapper Macklemore is facing renewed criticism for his pro-Palestinian activism. Critics, including the ADL and billionaire Robert Kraft, have called his recent actions 'unacceptable' and pointed to a 'broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.' These concerns stem from his May 2024 song 'Hind's Hall,' and his June 2024 comments in Germany. According to Jewish reggae singer Matisyahu, Macklemore's song invoked stereotypes about Jewish people controlling the world. In 'Hind's Hall,' Macklemore praised pro-Palestinian student protesters, denounced US military support for Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and stated that accusations of antisemitism against Israel critics are 'lies.' Speaking in Germany, Macklemore said the only way to atone for the past is to stand 'against apartheid, against occupation, against genocide, for a free Palestine.' The Central Council of Jews in Germany condemned his invitation to a festival, stating it signals that 'antisemitism is welcome on the big stage.'

Closer to home, in Belmont, Massachusetts, antisemitic and racist graffiti were discovered in a high school bathroom just days into the new school year. On September 4th and again on September 8th, school officials reported instances of a racial slur and a swastika being found in bathrooms at Belmont High School. Superintendent Jill Geiser called the reports 'deeply disturbing and unacceptable,' stating such symbols have 'no place in our schools.' Principal Isaac Taylor noted that staff would investigate with local police. For many students, however, these incidents underscore an ongoing pattern. Junior Mary Folorunso told The Voice that students have heard racist, antisemitic, and homophobic language regularly, recalling repeated instances of racial slurs and an antisemitic slur shouted after an assembly last year. Some students feel the school district's approach to combating discrimination is overly defensive, waiting for incidents rather than proactively addressing them. Principal Taylor plans to address the issue directly with students in classrooms on October 1st.

Turning to institutional and policy responses, in Ventura, California, Mayor Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios is working to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism. This effort follows recent antisemitic vandalism at Temple Beth Torah, where a swastika and hateful slogans were found. Mayor Sánchez-Palacios stated the city 'will not be defined by hate,' adding that 'politics, where we're at today, has sort of opened the door and allowed some of this behavior,' suggesting rhetoric at higher levels of government contributes to the problem. The Anti-Defamation League organized a press conference at the vandalized synagogue. Meanwhile, at Emory University, Deborah Lipstadt is launching a new institute aimed at training the next generation of policymakers in combating antisemitism, a strategic educational initiative to address the issue.

In legal news, a Maine man has been sentenced for making online threats targeting Jewish people and other groups. Thadius Wind, 52, received three years of supervised release after serving 17 months in prison. He was convicted on charges of transmitting interstate threatening communications and threatening the US Vice President. Evidence presented at trial showed Wind posted threats on X, formerly Twitter, directed at Jewish people, Vice President Kamala Harris, law enforcement, and Elon Musk. The US Attorney for the District of Maine and the FBI emphasized that such threats are federal crimes and not protected speech.

Finally, a recent poll indicates significant concern within the US Jewish community regarding the impact of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to a poll reviewed for this episode, a majority of US Jewish voters are concerned that Netanyahu has fueled antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the United States.

That's our report for today. I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- belmontvoice.org: https://belmontvoice.org/students-push-for-action-in-wake-of-racist-incident/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-909112
- timesofisrael.com: https://www.timesofisrael.com/poll-majority-of-us-jewish-voters-concerned-netanyahu-has-fueled-antisemitism/amp/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-909101
- columbusjewishnews.com: https://www.columbusjewishnews.com/jns/breaking-ventura-mayor-says-southern-california-city-exploring-adopting-ihra-definition-after-anti-jewish-vandalism/article_aba1191a-181a-5cee-af85-91eff65aea99.html
- jewishinsider.com: https://jewishinsider.com/2026/09/american-jewish-committee-diplomatic-marathon-un-general-assembly/
- miragenews.com: https://www.miragenews.com/hillel-neuer-honestreporting-durbans-1747086/
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-909107