Tutu Leaves Outstanding Human Rights Legacy, but His Antisemitism Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Archbishop Desmond Tutu holds a press conference at the United Nations in Geneva after Israel blocked a UN human rights fact-finding mission led by Tutu to Beit Hanun on the Gaza Strip, on Dec. 11, 2006. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu, winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace prize and a central figure in South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, died at age 90 on Dec. 26. As befitted his historical stature, the New York Times accorded generous wordage to his obituary.