Germany Boycotts 2026 UN Durban Process Meeting Over Antisemitism Concerns

Germany has chosen to boycott the 2026 United Nations meeting commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration, citing longstanding concerns over antisemitism linked to the Durban process. The German Foreign Office emphasized that while it supports combating racism, past Durban conferences, particularly the original 2001 anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa, were tarnished by antisemitic remarks and clashes involving Israel. At that 2001 conference, Palestinian and Syrian delegations labeled Israel as a racist state, leading to the withdrawal of Israeli and US delegations.

In line with Germany, other countries such as France also opted not to participate in the event. The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, described the meeting as a "shameful commemoration," echoing concerns regarding the event's politicization.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a more determined and effective fight against racism and discrimination, underscoring how racism continues to poison societies, exacerbate inequalities, and violate fundamental rights. He stressed the importance of addressing historical injustices and pursuing reparative justice to combat racism worldwide.

The 2026 meeting aimed to honor the Durban Declaration’s international framework for fighting racism but remained controversial due to the Durban process's reputation. Germany’s boycott reflects its firm stance against antisemitism and its commitment to ensuring anti-racism efforts remain credible and inclusive.