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The urgent need for stronger global cooperation against fight antisemitism, extremism, and online radicalization topped the agenda at a series of high-level meetings and public engagements held by Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) Executive Director of European Affairs Shannon Seban and Public Affairs Officer Natalie Sanandaji in Abu Dhabi last week.
A highlight of the United Arab Emirates visit was participation alongside leading policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives in the 3rd International Dialogue of Civilizations and Tolerance Conference (IDCT), held this year with the theme of “The Impact of New Media and AI on Family and Community.”
Drawing on recent findings from CAM’s Antisemitism Research Center (ARC), Seban warned about the proliferation of fake AI-generated “rabbi” accounts spreading disinformation and antisemitic narratives at an unprecedented pace and scale on major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
“The digital sphere has become one of the primary battlegrounds against hatred,” Seban noted. “Artificial intelligence and social media can either strengthen democratic resilience or accelerate radicalization. We cannot afford to leave these spaces ungoverned by responsibility and accountability.”
At @CombatASemitism, we believe fighting hatred requires women and men to stand united across communities, faiths, and borders.
Let us choose dialogue over prejudice and unity over hatred.
📍Abu Dhabi 🇦🇪, June 2026. pic.twitter.com/9WNDpkUhGC
— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) June 5, 2026
Sanandaji emphasized the importance of building cross-border coalitions capable of countering online hate and amplifying moderate and democratic voices.
“The answer to hatred is not more hatred,” Sanandaji, a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre on October 7th, said. “The answer is building stronger connections between people, communities, and cultures.”
CAM was also an organizing partner of a dinner hosted by Women Champions for Change (WCC), bringing together female community leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists celebrate the contributions of women to peacebuilding and intercultural collaboration throughout the Middle East and worldwide.
While in the UAE, Seban met with a number of top Emirati experts on extremism, counter-terrorism, and social resilience.
A sit-down with the leadership of the TRENDS Research & Advisory think tank explored opportunities for future cooperation on tackling radical ideologies and pushing back against the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe.
“The Western world is too naive to address the issue of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Seban noted. “Europe must wake up.”
“The fight against extremism requires not only security measures but also ideas, research, and education,” she added. “We need stronger international networks capable of identifying threats early and offering credible alternatives.”
Further meetings were held with parliamentarian and educator Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi , as well as researchers from Mohamed bin Zayed University.
The visit concluded with a luncheon hosted by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, attended by diplomats, international partners, and other stakeholders.
It was an “inspiring discussion on the UAE’s unique model, built on openness and mutual respect, which today serves as an example far beyond the region,” Seban said.
Grand honneur de rencontrer Son Excellence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Ministre de la Tolérance et de la Coexistence des Émirats arabes unis. 🇦🇪
Un échange inspirant sur le modèle unique des Émirats, fondé sur l’ouverture et le respect mutuel qui rayonne aujourd’hui… pic.twitter.com/jNMJd4iojv
— Shannon Seban (@ShannonSeban) June 5, 2026
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