The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) reported that the Film and Publications Board denied classification to the film 'Hebrews to Negros - Wake Up Black America' due to its antisemitic content, Holocaust denial, and dehumanization.
SAJBD stated that in the film, besides other antisemitic insults, Jews are portrayed as a nation of liars distorting history. Furthermore, the movie depicted Jews as an evil hidden force behind world events through alleged control over banking systems, education, and mass media.
Moreover, the film linked both Jews and their religion with the devil and other images of ultimate evil, SAJBD indicated in its statement this week.
They noted that the complaint was filed by SAJBD in December 2025. The Film and Publications Board issued a ruling denying the classification of this film. According to this decision, the distributor was ordered to remove the film from all platforms in South Africa. This ruling was published in the Government Gazette.
The film was first shown in South Africa in June 2023. It was then that SAJBD approached the FPB requesting reclassification based on the fact that it spreads racist stereotypes against the Jewish people and is thus illegal incitement to hatred based on religion and ethnicity.
The gazette specified that the decision to deny classification was based on Holocaust denial, dehumanization, promotion of antisemitic views, and biased language. SAJBD added that the content presented in the film incites hatred and spreads dangerous disinformation, failing to provide the objective and informed perspective necessary for a conscientious documentary, and thus does not meet historical accuracy.
In its statement, they expressed satisfaction with the strong message from the FBP, according to which the right to freedom of expression is not a license for slander and spreading hatred against an entire group of people simply because of their identity and beliefs. They emphasized that this ruling protects the fundamental rights of all citizens of the country.