South Africa bans antisemitic film with fines up to R500,000
The Film and Publication Board ruled that 'Hebrews to Negroes' incites hatred, making it the first nation to enforce a nationwide prohibition on the movie.
By Nikolai Morales ·
The South African Film and Publication Board (FPB) has officially barred the distribution and broadcasting of the 2018 documentary 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.' The regulatory body determined that the film incites hatred against an identifiable group and fails to meet the standards of a bona fide documentary. This decision makes South Africa the first country to impose a nationwide ban on this specific title.
The film argues that Black Hebrew Israelites are the true descendants of biblical Israelites, while contemporary Jews are not. It further contends that an international Jewish conspiracy aims to defraud Black people. The local Jewish community reported the movie to the national ombudsman after a screening at the Soweto Theatre in June 2023. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies then filed a formal complaint that triggered the review process.
The FPB initially decided not to classify the film in December 2025. The ruling was formally gazetted in October 2026, a delay that explains why the news is surfacing now. The board stated that the film denies historical accuracy, specifically by labeling the Holocaust as a falsehood. It cited prejudicial language and the dehumanization of Jews as primary reasons for the ban. The prohibition applies strictly to the film and does not extend to the book from which it was derived.
Under the new rules, any individual who knowingly broadcasts, distributes, exhibits, or sells the film commits an offense. Violators face a fine of up to R500,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The FPB warned that this enforcement reflects the seriousness with which the board views the propagation of hatred in public media.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies reacted positively to the formalization of the ban. The organization stated that the ruling safeguards the fundamental rights of citizens. It noted that while freedom of expression is vital, it does not grant a license to defame or propagate hatred against an entire group.
The film remains available for purchase in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is also sold through Amazon internationally. Some retail sellers, such as Barnes and Noble, have removed the title from their catalogues, but no total ban had been in place until the South African ruling. The movie gained global attention in October 2022 when NBA player Kyrie Irving shared a link to it on X. Irving deleted the post three days later and has since apologized for the incident.
