Dr. Widad Condemns Anti-Semitism and All Forms of Hatred
DEFEND INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
Oslo, March 5, 2019 – Dr. Widad Akreyi condemns the resurgence of anti-Semitic incidents and asks world leaders to put measures in place to protect Jews communities.
Dr. Widad Akreyi, a multi award-winning peace-builder and co-founder of Defend International, has issued a statements that reads:
We are extremely troubled at the rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe, North America and elsewhere, which circumvents an intent to mainstream anti-Semitism.
The anti-Semitic rhetoric has reached a level said to be unprecedented since WWII. Not even cemeteries have been exempted from anti-Semitic manifestations. For instance, in Quatzenheim, France, 80 Jewish gravestones were vandalized and painted with swastikas. What is more, disturbing comments that are hurtful to Jews have become common in various contexts. Politicians have engaged in highly offensive anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations. Some of them tend to apologize under pressure, but with that, their harmful comments cannot be retracted.
Regardless of the intentions of the individuals involved, this situation is unacceptable. Not only do the statements and incidents play into the most worrying stereotypes, but they also feed into disseminating conspiracy thinking about the Jews people.
We condemn the resurgence of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Action must be taken to ensure the safety and security of the Jews communities. If a line is not drawn, the consequences may prove to be irreversible and tragic.
We call on you to join us and unite against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred.
# # #
For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact media@defendinternational.org
ABOUT DR. WIDAD AKREYI
Dr. Widad is a preeminent peace-builder, humanitarian and human rights defender. A winner of several awards, the renowned champion of justice and gender equality has become a global voice for the voiceless, first and foremost the women and girls abducted, sold and enslaved in the Middle East. Originally from Kurdistan, Widad now lives in the West and holds a Master’s degree in genetics and a PhD in global health and cancer epidemiology. She has she been on the Executive Board of a variety of national and international organisations like Education for Global Peace, Women of Europe Award and Amnesty International, and has successfully advocated for the adoption of three international UN agreements (Arms Trade Treaty, Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, and a resolution Dedicated to Questions of Small Arms and Light Weapons) and served as ambassador of Stop Torture campaign and Stop Violence against Females campaign. Her historic novel, The Viking‘s Kurdish Love: A True Story of Zoroastrians Fight for Survival, is relevant to current events. For more information please visit Dr. Widad’s website at widad.org