New York, US
14 September 2009

WJC President Ronald Lauder calls on nations to “send a strong message”

In anticipation of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad’s upcoming visit to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the World Jewish Congress has launched a world-wide campaign aimed at UN member states. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder declared: “We are calling on world leaders to show that the values and goals of the UN Charter will be upheld at this year’s General Assembly meeting. We ask UN leaders to send a strong message to Ahmedinejad, who regularly uses these forums to spread invective, threats and unspeakable accusations. In order to send a strong message that such behavior is unacceptable and that they will no longer countenance racism and anti-Semitism, world leaders and their representatives should leave the room when he speaks.

“We were distressed to hear that the Iranian president will again come to New York this year. Although the rules of the UN require that he must be admitted, we believe that, in view of his past performances, he has relinquished the moral right to speak from that pulpit. Member states have an obligation to show that the UN cannot be hijacked for the purposes of spreading the kind of racist diatribe and bigoted views which the organization was founded to combat and overcome,” Lauder said.

The petition can be signed by everyone via the WJC website (www.worldjewishcongress.org/iran_campaign) which also provides in-depth information on the Iranian threat and forums for feedback. This WJC on-line campaign is part of a wider effort undertaken by non-governmental organizations seeking to raise public awareness about the dangers posed by the Iranian regime, notably its continued nuclear program in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, its support for terrorist organizations world-wide, its threat to peace and stability in the Middle East, and its violation of human rights and freedom of expression.

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 92 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations, including the United Nations. It has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Committee.