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World Jewish News
Jewish groups praise Western states boycotting Durban II
20.04.2009
Jewish communities around the world on Sunday praised the Western nations who have decided to boycott an upcoming United Nations anti-racism conference, seen by many as a forum for criticizing Israel.
The AIPAC lobby on Sunday applauded the Obama administration's decision not to take part in the April 20-25 conference in Geneva, saying it was "the right thing to do" and showed America's uncompromising commitment to fight intolerance and racism.
The U.S. decision wwas made in response to the conventions' final draft, which the State Department called deplorable and anti-Israel.
In its statement on Sunday, AIPAC lobbyists said they commend the president, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and UN Ambassador Susan Rice for the decision.
The European Jewish Congress on Sunday also ommended the U.S., Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and others for boycotting Durban II and called upon all European nations to follow suit.
"By providing a UN-sponsored venue for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, one of the world?s foremost deniers of the Holocaust and a sponsor of international terror, the UN has put the fox in charge of the hen house," EJC President Dr. Moshe Kantor said.
"It is telling when some of the world?s worst human rights abusers are not only let off the hook, but chair an international conference on the issue."
The head of Holland's pro-Zionist lobby, Ronny Naftaniel, praised his government's decision, telling Haaretz:
"The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel is very satisfied with the brave Dutch position to be among the first of the EU countries to say clearly no. CIDI have urged the government and parliament from the beginning not to go, because of the heavy politicized and anti Israeli character of the conference."
Although Israel is boycotting the conference, 13 Israeli students prepped by Foreign Ministry and the World Jewish Congress have traveled to Geneva to represent Israel's position.
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent
Источник: Haaretz
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