ICCEHS Warns of Rising Extremist and Hate Speech in the Middle East
Dr. Nidal Shoukeir: We Value the UAE’s Role in Promoting Tolerance and Coexistence and Fostering a Culture of Peace
Rome, Paris – 1 October 2026
The International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech (ICCEHS) expresses deep concern over the continued rise in extremist and hate speech and the decline of responsible public discourse across the Middle East. The Committee considers this trend a worrying indicator amid the accumulation of crises and conflicts, continuing tensions and divisions, and the absence of clear signs of progress toward addressing the region’s mounting challenges.
The Committee warns that the growing prevalence of hate speech and incitement risks intensifying polarization, deepening divisions within societies, and normalizing language of hostility, exclusion, and incitement, thereby undermining social cohesion and increasing the risks of extremism and violence.
The International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech stresses that there is no alternative to genuine, just, and lasting peace as the foundation for the stability and prosperity of the region. In this context, ICCEHS calls for stronger cooperation and collective action, greater support for dialogue, the promotion of a culture of tolerance, responsible public discourse, and the rejection of all forms of extremism, hatred, and incitement.
Dr. Nidal Shoukeir, Executive Board Director of the International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech (ICCEHS), said:
“The continued rise of extremist and hate speech across the Middle East should serve as a genuine wake-up call to the international community and to all concerned stakeholders. The danger of such discourse extends far beyond words themselves. Its real impact lies in its ability to deepen divisions, fuel hostility, undermine a culture of coexistence, and turn hatred and incitement into normalized behavior within societies.
In confronting this reality, we need voices and initiatives that restore the importance of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence, and reaffirm that building a more stable and prosperous future for the region requires the courage to confront extremism and hatred. It also requires supporting initiatives that place people, their dignity, security, and future at the heart of their priorities.
In this context, we recognize and value the role played by the United Arab Emirates in promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, and dialogue, and in advancing initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of peace and rejecting extremism and hatred. We believe that the UAE’s experience in this field represents an important regional experience, given its focus on tolerance, coexistence, and openness, as well as its efforts to promote dialogue among cultures and religions and to build bridges of communication and understanding between communities. At a time when there is an increasing need for voices and initiatives that advance coexistence and peace, these values have become more important than ever in confronting extremist and hate speech.
The international community therefore has an ethical responsibility to support and stand behind countries and initiatives that advance these values, and to encourage every effort that can help pave the way toward genuine, just, and lasting peace. At ICCEHS, we believe that confronting hate speech cannot be limited to rejecting and condemning it. It must also involve building a more positive and constructive alternative—one rooted in mutual respect, tolerance, coexistence, and dialogue, and one that gives the peoples of the region and future generations a greater opportunity to live in an environment of stability, security, and prosperity.”
For his part Hon. Gennaro Migliore, Advisory Board Director (ICCEHS), stressed that addressing extremist and hate speech requires shared responsibility, beginning with public discourse and extending across all sectors of society.
“The current moment calls for moving away from rhetoric that fuels tension and division and toward discourse that promotes responsibility, dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect. The words of political leaders, public officials, and the media carry significant responsibility in shaping public awareness and influencing societies.
Confronting extremist and hate speech requires a strong focus on prevention, including strengthening a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of others, while supporting initiatives that contribute to dialogue, peace, and stability across the region. This cannot be achieved by any single actor. It requires meaningful cooperation among governments, international institutions, civil society, the media, religious and educational institutions, and social media platforms.
Ultimately, building a more positive and humane public discourse is a shared responsibility. It is essential to protecting societies from extremism and division, strengthening the values of coexistence and mutual respect, and creating an environment in which future generations can live in greater security, stability, and peace.”
The International Committee on Countering Extremist and Hate Speech emphasizes that confronting extremism and hatred is a shared responsibility requiring broad cooperation. It calls on all stakeholders across the Middle East to adopt more responsible public discourse and to refrain from actions or rhetoric that deepen divisions or fuel hatred.
ICCEHS also calls for stronger efforts to promote tolerance, acceptance of others, and respect for diversity, while addressing rhetoric that incites hatred, discrimination, or violence—contributing to the protection of societies from the risks of extremism and to greater coexistence and stability.
The Committee renews its call on all stakeholders in the region to assume their responsibilities at this critical juncture and stresses that confronting extremism and hatred must also begin with confronting the rhetoric that legitimizes or normalizes them, and that dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect remain essential foundations for a more secure, stable, and peaceful future.