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A global digital campaign is calling on the world to put an end to anti-Semitism and has enlisted the aid of several international stars.
The campaign initiated by Dr. Moshe Kantor, president of the European Jewish Congress, was launched in advance of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum entitled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism," which will take place in Jerusalem on January 23, 2020.
The "Stop This Story!" campaign will be the first global initiative of its kind to leverage Instagram’s AR (Augmented Reality) effects to drive a global movement.
Public figures and celebrities who have already joined the campaign include President Reuven Rivlin, British actress Vanessa Kirby, who played young Princess Margaret in Netflix show The Crown, Israeli model Bar Refaeli, former NBA player Omri Casspi and international soccer star Eran Zahavi.
All influencers created their unique images using use the hashtag #StopThisStory written on their palms.
The campaign will tell the unceasing story of anti-Semitism from the 1930s until the present day, in order to show that this evil has not passed from the world and will continue to threaten Jews unless it is stopped.
Filters using the #StopThisStory hashtag will be available on the campaign's Instagram account for others to download, add the message on to their own palms and join the call to stop anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia.
"Anti-Semitism in its various forms targets Jews around the world daily," said Kantor. "Jews are attacked in their homes, on the streets, in schools, universities, synagogues and online."
Kantor went on to say that 80% of European Jews fear for their safety and more than 40% say they have considered leaving their homes and communities.
"The best way to spread our message is through social media," Kantor said.
The launch of the #StopThisStory campaign is timed to coincide with the World Holocaust Forum, which will mark 75 years since the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz in Poland.
Dozens of world leaders are expected to participate, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Britain's Prince Charles, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish King Felipe VI and European Council leaders. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will also attend, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will head a delegation of Democratic members of Congress.
First published: 13:59, 01.14.20