South Africa is first country to ban antisemitic conspiracy film saying Jews now aren't 'real Jews'

South Africa became the first country to ban the antisemitic film 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,' which claims Black people are the real Jews and promotes Holocaust denial. The Film and Publication Board refused classification, citing incitement to cause harm. Violators face fines up to R500,000 or five years in prison.

South Africa has become the first country to issue a nationwide ban on screening and distribution of the antisemitic film 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.' The 2018 film promotes the theory that Black Hebrew Israelites are the true descendants of biblical Israelites and that today's Jews are not real Jews, also alleging an international Jewish conspiracy against Black people. On Monday, South Africa's Film and Publication Board (FPB) announced its decision to refuse classification for broadcasting and distribution, finding the film advocates hatred based on an identifiable group characteristic and constitutes incitement to cause harm based on Holocaust denial, dehumanization, and promotion of antisemitic views. The FPB warned that anyone who knowingly broadcasts, distributes, or exhibits the film faces a fine not exceeding R500,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The decision was first made in December 2025 following a complaint by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) and formally gazetted in October 2026. The SAJBD said it is encouraged by the strong message that freedom of expression does not license defamation and hatred. The film remains available for purchase in the United States and United Kingdom, as well as on Amazon internationally.