WJC @ UNHRC: The case against Durban

WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps Member Irina Rosensaft

The World Jewish Congress promotes interreligious and intercultural dialogue to combat discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of racial intolerance, speaking up on behalf of vulnerable groups and peoples and promoting education as a means to combat the roots of stereotypes and prejudice.  

We are taught by the most tragic lesson of recent history, by the tragedy of the Holocaust, where racial discrimination and xenophobia can lead to dehumanization and murder of millions of people. This lesson shall not be forgotten. 

The recent meeting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Durban conference reaffirmed the Durban Declaration which purportedly seeks to fully eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance. However, this process has been marred by extreme manifestations of antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred, so much so that more than 30 countries chose not to participate in this year’s event.

The World Jewish Congress calls upon this Council to make the international fight against racism truly inclusive, without sidelining or finger-pointing any particular group. To that effect, the Council can take constructive action, such as endorsing the working definition of antisemitism provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance as well as taking the lead and the fight against the multilayered form of hate against the Jews and the Jewish state.

Thank you.