Third Committee -- Explanation of Vote on A/C.3/64/L.54/Rev.11 and A/C.3/64/L.55, "Follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action" (Agenda Item 67(b))

Ms. Keren Shahar-Ben Ami
First Secretary
23 November 2009

Mr. Chairman,

It was once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

In 2001, the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance descended into one of the most brazen and infamous displays of anti-Semitic racism in modern memory.

In a moment of depressing irony, the struggle against racism was supplanted by those who promoted a racist political agenda.

When the General Assembly decided to convene the Durban Review Conference, Israel reserved judgment. We chose to give the process an opportunity to rectify the wrongs of 2001.

Yet our hope was misplaced. Throughout the preparatory process, it became increasingly clear that the conference would not refute the poisonous rhetoric that marred the original conference.

While Israel recognizes that the review conference contained certain important elements, it missed the opportunity to address genuine wrongs as it chose to reaffirm the deeply flawed 2001 Durban Declaration.

I wish to reiterate that Israel is fully committed to addressing in a genuine and professional manner the scourge of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance. But we will not lend credibility to a process that, time and time again, has demonstrated an obsession with Middle East.

Israel has, therefore, called for a vote on this resolution and we will vote against it.