UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Thursday voiced support for fight against anti-Semitism, saying the world body has as a duty to speak out on this matter and prevent it.
Delivering a video message to an informal meeting of the United Nations General Assembly which was prompted by growing anti- Semitism attacks in Europe, Ban noted "our efforts to build a world of mutual understanding are being severely tested today by rising extremism and barbaric acts."
"Jews remain targets, as do Muslims and so many others," said Ban, recalling the Holocaust, which killed millions of European Jews, saying it has shown anti-Semitism at its monstrous.
The UN chief also warned the world of the trap of perpetuating the cycles of demonization and being played into the hands of those who seek to divide.
"Grievances about Israeli actions must never be used as an excuse to attack Jews," he said. "In the same vein, criticisms of Israeli actions should not be summarily dismissed as anti-Semitism. "
This only suppresses dialogue and hinders the search for peace in the Middle East conflict, he warned.
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