|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=9432&Cr=Islam&Cr1=
Annan Calls for Action to Combat Rising Islamaphobia and Anti-Semitism
(United Nations) UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Tuesday called for action to address rising Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism, warning that complacency in the face of intolerance amounts to complicity. Annan noted that Islamophobia is one of the most disturbing manifestations of bigotry today. Annan also pointed to anti-Semitism as "another dangerous hatred" that blights the world. He called attention to the scars left by the history of persecution against the Jews, adding that a recent upsurge of attacks shows this hatred to be "virulent still." "Criticism of Israeli policies is one thing," he said, "but it is quite another when such critiques take the form of attacks - physical or verbal - on Jewish individuals and the symbols of their heritage and faith." While criticism of Israel must not be allowed to mask anti-Semitism, he added that Israel's supporters should not use the charge of anti-Semitism to stifle legitimate discussion.