Durban Review Conference 2009 - "Durban II"

The 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR, or "Durban I") was held in Durban, South Africa. Much of the deliberations focused specifically on Israeli treatment of Palestinians, culminating in a call by some countries to re-establish the controversial United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 from 1975 equating Zionism with racism. Both Australia and Canada made statements accusing the conference of hypocrisy, and the United States and Israel withdrew their delegations.

The WCAR was preceded by an NGO Forum which was marred by violent antisemitic behaviour and abuse of process by many NGOs. The NGO Forum Declaration, which uniquely singled out Israel for condemnation, was rejected by the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.

WJC Jewish Diplomats outside the UN

The Durban Review Conference ("Durban II") was held in Geneva in April 2009, to review the progress made by states since 2001. This conference was the subject of criticism in large part due to the fact that countries such as Iran and Libya were appointed to the Conference planning committee.

In Geneva, the World Jewish Congress hosted the International Jewish Caucus at the Durban Review Conference, which comprises the following organizations:

Anti-Defamation League, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, B'nai B'rith International, CEJI: A Jewish Contribution To An Inclusive Europe, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, European Jewish Congress, European Union of Jewish Students, Jewish Human Rights Coalition (UK), NGO Monitor, Simon Wiesenthal Center, South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Women's International Zionist Organization, World Jewish Congress, and World Union of Jewish Students.

The World Jewish Congress also coordinated a press conference in Geneva featuring Rosalind Preston of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Harold Tanner of  the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Richard D. Heideman of B’nai Brith International, and former Minister of Justice of Canada Irwin Cotler MP.