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Statement by Tibor Shalev-Schlosser
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem
2 November 2009
I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to thank you again for your able guidance of this Committee’s deliberations.
The Israeli people, and, indeed, all Jews, know as much as any people on earth the horrible consequences of racism and the need to confront it wherever, whenever and in whatever form it appears. Israel therefore strongly supports the fight against racism, racism discrimination, and related intolerance.
Racism and xenophobia are as old as recorded history. While we cannot erase the wrongs of the past, we can do everything within our power to end blind hatred directed against any person or group. Israel is committed to this principle, and it has ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as many other countries have. But this is not enough.
In spite of the Convention’s near-universal ratification, my delegation notes with alarm the registered sharp rise in racist and discriminatory acts around the world. Jews and others are anxious and have good reason to be. Racism and xenophobia are once again being woven into politics and national agendas and are creeping into mainstream speech.
The full implementation of the convention is of importance. Regrettably, 40 years after it entered into force, its implementation is lagging behind. We should also reach universal ratification as soon as possible.
Mr. Chairman,
Veiled anti-Semitism, often in the guise of anti-Zionism, must be unmasked. Such invective –– such racism –– as we have heard from the leaders of some nations must never be mistaken for ordinary political discourse. With absolute disregard for the Charter of the United Nations, the president of Iran repeatedly calls for the destruction of Israel recently before the General Assembly.
Mr. Chairman,
The goals set for the Durban process a decade ago were noble, but regrettably its outcome was stained by politicization. Eight years later, the State of Israel regrets that the Durban Review Conference, whose declared purpose was to address prejudice, a scourge afflicting millions around the world, was exploited again to focus instead on a specific conflict that is exclusively political in nature.
The concluding statement most regrettably reaffirms the flawed Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA) of 2001 which Israel and other countries firmly oppose. By mentioning the Middle East conflict in a conference against racism, the Durban Declaration and Program of Action twists the conflict’s political nature into an allegedly racist one.
It became clear, both at Durban 1 and at Durban 2 that many of the issues that came to dominate the debate had essentially nothing to do with a bona fide discussion on racism. Israel is hopefully that, by exposing its strident flaws, a drastic improvement of the Durban process will take place.
The Jewish people have suffered from racism and xenophobia, persecution, and genocide. Israel, as the state of the Jewish people, remains fully committed to the values of tolerance, democracy, and human rights. The necessary struggle against racism and xenophobia will always find in Israel a willing and ready partner.
Mr. Chairman,
In a few days, Jews will commemorate the 71st anniversary of Kristallnacht, that infamous night when nascent anti-Semitism exploded into the maelstrom that would consume much of world Jewry. This infamous night began with words –– words of racial blind racial hatred. The Kristallnacht commemoration, however, is also an occasion to look forward to because the greatest value of the past lies in how it can help guide us in the future.
In response to this urgent need, there have been several Untied Nations resolutions concerning the Holocaust. The first, on Holocaust Remembrance, adopted three years ago, stands as a testament to the unique scale of the events.
Another resolution, adopted by UNESCO two years ago concerns Holocaust education. Through education, all people can learn of the terrible consequences of prejudice, fear, and hate.
Political leaders, too, have an important role to play in reinforcing these lessons. Their public commitment to combating all forms of prejudice, including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia, can set an example for the general population. Promoting intercultural dialogue is one of the tools they can use to ease tensions between communities.
Mr. Chairman,
Israel stands ready to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the goal of lasting peace and co-existence. To do this, all parties must let the accumulated corrosive layers of prejudice become a relic of the past and cease poisoning the minds of the next generation. The capacity of the human spirit to overcome the darker impulses is great, and Israel calls on States to rededicate themselves to ensuring that reason will prevail.
Thank you.
The Israeli people, and, indeed, all Jews, know as much as any people on earth the horrible consequences of racism and the need to confront it wherever, whenever and in whatever form it appears. Israel therefore strongly supports the fight against racism, racism discrimination, and related intolerance.
Racism and xenophobia are as old as recorded history. While we cannot erase the wrongs of the past, we can do everything within our power to end blind hatred directed against any person or group. Israel is committed to this principle, and it has ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as many other countries have. But this is not enough.
In spite of the Convention’s near-universal ratification, my delegation notes with alarm the registered sharp rise in racist and discriminatory acts around the world. Jews and others are anxious and have good reason to be. Racism and xenophobia are once again being woven into politics and national agendas and are creeping into mainstream speech.
The full implementation of the convention is of importance. Regrettably, 40 years after it entered into force, its implementation is lagging behind. We should also reach universal ratification as soon as possible.
Mr. Chairman,
Veiled anti-Semitism, often in the guise of anti-Zionism, must be unmasked. Such invective –– such racism –– as we have heard from the leaders of some nations must never be mistaken for ordinary political discourse. With absolute disregard for the Charter of the United Nations, the president of Iran repeatedly calls for the destruction of Israel recently before the General Assembly.
Mr. Chairman,
The goals set for the Durban process a decade ago were noble, but regrettably its outcome was stained by politicization. Eight years later, the State of Israel regrets that the Durban Review Conference, whose declared purpose was to address prejudice, a scourge afflicting millions around the world, was exploited again to focus instead on a specific conflict that is exclusively political in nature.
The concluding statement most regrettably reaffirms the flawed Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA) of 2001 which Israel and other countries firmly oppose. By mentioning the Middle East conflict in a conference against racism, the Durban Declaration and Program of Action twists the conflict’s political nature into an allegedly racist one.
It became clear, both at Durban 1 and at Durban 2 that many of the issues that came to dominate the debate had essentially nothing to do with a bona fide discussion on racism. Israel is hopefully that, by exposing its strident flaws, a drastic improvement of the Durban process will take place.
The Jewish people have suffered from racism and xenophobia, persecution, and genocide. Israel, as the state of the Jewish people, remains fully committed to the values of tolerance, democracy, and human rights. The necessary struggle against racism and xenophobia will always find in Israel a willing and ready partner.
Mr. Chairman,
In a few days, Jews will commemorate the 71st anniversary of Kristallnacht, that infamous night when nascent anti-Semitism exploded into the maelstrom that would consume much of world Jewry. This infamous night began with words –– words of racial blind racial hatred. The Kristallnacht commemoration, however, is also an occasion to look forward to because the greatest value of the past lies in how it can help guide us in the future.
In response to this urgent need, there have been several Untied Nations resolutions concerning the Holocaust. The first, on Holocaust Remembrance, adopted three years ago, stands as a testament to the unique scale of the events.
Another resolution, adopted by UNESCO two years ago concerns Holocaust education. Through education, all people can learn of the terrible consequences of prejudice, fear, and hate.
Political leaders, too, have an important role to play in reinforcing these lessons. Their public commitment to combating all forms of prejudice, including anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Christianophobia, can set an example for the general population. Promoting intercultural dialogue is one of the tools they can use to ease tensions between communities.
Mr. Chairman,
Israel stands ready to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the goal of lasting peace and co-existence. To do this, all parties must let the accumulated corrosive layers of prejudice become a relic of the past and cease poisoning the minds of the next generation. The capacity of the human spirit to overcome the darker impulses is great, and Israel calls on States to rededicate themselves to ensuring that reason will prevail.
Thank you.
