Durban
The 2009 United Nations World Conference against Racism (“Durban II”)
In 2001, the World Conference against Racism was held in Durban, South Africa. The American and Israeli delegations walked out, believing the proceedings unfairly targeted Israel and hijacked the proceedings in order to tar Israel and Zionism with charges of racism. The second United Nations World Conference against Racism, popularly known as “Durban II,” met in Geneva, Switzerland, in April 2009.
Harsh criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism were in evidence again at Durban II. Israel, the United States, Canada, and several other countries boycotted the conference altogether, recognizing that it would once again be commandeered by Israel’s enemies in order to attack the Jewish state.
The suspicions of the boycotting countries were proved true on the very first day of the conference, which, coincidentally, fell on Yom Ha’Shoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. In a speech to conference delegates, Iranian President Ahmadinejad blasted out one calumny after another, calling Israel “the most cruel and repressive racist regime in Palestine.”
Ahmadinejad claimed that Israel’s founders “resorted to military aggression to make an entire nation homeless on the pretext of Jewish sufferings,” called Israel’s government “perpetrators of genocide,” and accused “Zionists” of planning the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Summing up, he said that “world Zionism personifies racism.” (Zionism is generally defined as the belief that the Jews should have a homeland in the land of Israel.)
Meanwhile, other members of the Iranian delegation screamed at Nobel Laureate, Humanitarian, and Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel, calling him a “Zio-Nazi.”
Many Western delegates walked out on Ahmadinejad’s speech, but delegates from Arab and Muslim countries applauded. While the representatives who walked out certainly did the right thing, it is a travesty that the U.N. provided a public forum for the Iranian President in the first place.
Yes, the U.N. Secretary General condemned Iran’s President for the incitement. But delegates at the conference nonetheless ratified the original Durban I declaration that singles out Israel, brands it a racist state, and says that Palestinians are victims of racism.
What do you think?
11:44 am
My thoughts are with the people of Israel solely because I read through the Holy Scriptures; and they are clear: Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Thanks for hosting this site.
8:26 am
Israel belongs to God. The fate of this country and her people are in His hands. This is a God who loves Jews ,Arabs, and ALL races.
3:53 pm
Israel belongs to God .I feel sorry for anybody that would try and give it away. after all you can
not give anything away that don’t belong to you.
7:57 am
I believe dat land belöngs to the jewish people,even if world opinion is agansit israel it wont change what God the almighty says about israel,they a his people and chosen nation an he wil restore them to that land which he promised to their forefathers.,God bless israel
9:57 pm
This is so sad yet it reflects the age in which we live. The spirit of Antichrist is at work and we who are children of the Most High must continue to pray for the Jews and the nation of Israel. The weapons certainly will be formed but they will NOT prosper. GOD BLESS ISRAEL!
3:56 pm
Yes Soldiers went on board the Aid Ship. There is little said about the weapons used against the Soldiers. What were they to do,allow themselves to be murdered. Michael Martin our foreign affairs minister was quick to attack Israel for protecting its borders,the irish people were not asked for their reaction, this is Martins personal view, the Fianna Fail/Greens dictatorship.This coming from the political party that betrayed the irish people and sold our birthright to the banks and the rich with their greed all for filthy riches. When The criminal runs the country what do you expect.
God bless Israel and God help Ireland.