Film banned in South Africa due to Holocaust denial, antisemitic messaging, and the spread of misinformation

Film and Publication Board (FPB) has prohibited the possession and distribution of the film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’ in South Africa.

Hebrews to Negroes was directed, written, and produced by Ronald Dalton Jr. and is based on his book series of the same name.

The movie aims to prove the Black Hebrew Israelites’ belief that certain people of colour, including Black Americans, are the true descendants of the biblical Israelites.

The film claims that the Jews of today are not actual Jews and that they culturally appropriated the religious heritage of Black people and then covered it up.

It remained in relative obscurity from its release until October 2022. However, after NBA superstar Kyrie Irving posted a link to it on his X account, it gained notoriety.

The film was never shown in South Africa, and most people don’t know it existed. However, a recent announcement by the FPB changed that.

On 29 October 2026, the Film and Publication Board announced that it had refused classification of the film ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’.

Under the Films and Publications Act, refused classification means the film is prohibited from being created, possessed, or distributed in South Africa.

The film was found to advocate hatred based on an identifiable group characteristic and constitutes incitement to cause harm.

• Holocaust Denial: The film’s assertion that the Holocaust is a falsehood is a direct advocacy of hatred based on identifiable group characteristics, serving to trivialise immense suffering and perpetuate antisemitism.

• Dehumanisation: The explicit text comparing Jews to “parasites among the nations” is an egregious act of dehumanisation. This language has a well-documented history of justifying discrimination, violence, and genocide, clearly demonstrating hatred.

• Promotion of Antisemitic Views: The film posits “five major falsehoods” aimed at concealing Jewish “nature” and protecting their “status and power”, inherently promoting antisemitic tropes.

• Prejudicial Language: The frequent and unmitigated use of racial slurs such as “Negro”, “Kaffir” and “Coolie” constitutes hate speech.

“The content, as presented, incites hatred and spreads dangerous misinformation,” the FPB said in a press statement.

“The film fails to provide the objective and informed perspective required for a bona fide documentary.”

“Acknowledging that a bona fide documentary must adhere to historical accuracy, by denying the Holocaust, the film fundamentally fails this criterion.”

The FPB warned that penalties apply to any person who broadcasts, distributes, exhibits in public, offers for sale, or rents this movie.

“A person who is convicted of this crime faces a fine of up to R500,000 or imprisonment of up to five years,” it said.