In 2001, the United Nations world conference against racism in Durban, South Africa, became a venue for the worst display of anti-Semitism since the Nazi period. The conference declaration singled out Israel, while NGO activists and demonstrators called for the elimination of “racist” and “Apartheid” Israel. Supporters of Israel were vastly outnumbered and hardly seen in the international media.
The U.N. is holding its follow-up Durban Review Conference in Geneva during the week of 20-24 April 2009. Libya chairs the planning committee, and Iran and Cuba are vice-chairs. The latest draft declaration reaffirms the 2001 text, which couples Israel with racism. In support of Durban II, anti-Israel and anti-Zionist extremists are organizing a series of public events in Geneva on 18-20 April, where they will call for a campaign of boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel, which they compare to Nazi Germany.

In response, on Wednesday, 22 April, friends of Israel—Jews and non-Jews from across Europe and around the world—will gather in Geneva to stand with Israel as its very legitimacy comes under attack, supporting Israel as a democratic, multicultural, and humanitarian society that respects human rights and the UN Charter.

Natan Sharansky will be participating in this rally, and will be the keynote speaker in the session titled “Israel, Democracy, and the Search for Peace””

Share with others: