Amid Rise in Bigotry, Xenophobia, Everyone Must Stand Unequivocally Against Hate, Secretary-General Tells New York Board of Rabbis Humanitarian Awards Reception

Following is the text of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ video message for the New York Board of Rabbis Humanitarian Awards reception, in New York today:

It is a pleasure to greet the New York Board of Rabbis Humanitarian Awards reception.  From my meetings with Rabbi Potasnik and others, I know that you do valuable work in advocating for marginalized and displaced people, and in promoting interfaith dialogue.

Across the world today, the state of hate is high.  Decades after the Holocaust, anti‑Semitism is still common and getting worse.  The neo‑Nazi threat is growing.  You are all aware of my commitment to combating these unacceptable situations.   We are also seeing widespread anti‑Muslim bigotry, as well as xenophobia directed at migrants and refugees.  Just as troubling, a “new normal” of public discourse is taking hold, in which the door is opened to even more extreme hatred.

We must all stand unequivocally against such poison.  Today’s societies are becoming multi‑ethnic, multireligious and multicultural.  This diversity is a source of richness.  It should not be exploited as a source of division.  Together, we can build a world of pluralism and peaceful coexistence.