The Importance of Sensitive Historical References

Lipstadt emphasized that historical references to the Holocaust must be treated with extreme sensitivity, and that comparisons between the current conflict in Gaza and the genocide committed by the Nazis diminish the scale of that historical event and contribute to the spread of anti-Semitism stereotypes.

President Gustavo Petro’s Response to Criticism

President Gustavo Petro defended his comments, categorically denying that he was anti-Semitic. He confirmed that the Palestinians are also a Semitic people and stated that the true manifestation of antisemitism is the violence against them. Petro claims that his criticism is not directed at the Jewish people, but at the policies of the Netanyahu government.

Defending the Right to Criticize Israel’s Actions

The president defended his right to criticize Israel’s actions, insisting that his position has nothing to do with religion, but with human rights. He stated that if he had lived in a period of Nazism, he would have fought against that regime.

“I’m not anti-Semitic, don’t get confused and show some respect. I am not anti-Jewish, I believe in freedom of religion and, if I had lived in that time, I would have given my life in the armed resistance against the Nazis. However, I believe in the freedom that international law protects, the law that was established after the defeat of Hitler at the hands of the Americans, the Soviets and all the people of the world: humanity. Mr. Netanyahu and his government, refugees from international justice, do not represent Semitism: they embody Nazism.”

— President Gustavo Petro