JCRC Expresses Concern At Undermining of UN World Conference Against Racism
(Boston, September 4, 2001) In a statement issued today, Jewish Community Relations Council President Geoffrey H. Lewis and Executive Director Nancy K. Kaufman commended the U.S. administration for withdrawing from the UN World Conference Against Racism when it became evident that the final drafts of the documents would serve as vehicles for advocating anti-Israel, anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic hate: "I am deeply saddened that the great potential for this conference has been muddied by hate-filled language.
Rather than striving to bring together an international community dedicated to eradicating racism, the conference has effectively ostracized those most interested in tackling racist and xenophobic policies and practices."
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston is outraged by the manipulation of the UN World Conference Against Racism into a mechanism for the advancement of hate. As the final draft emerges, it is clear that only one country in the world – Israel – is singled out for condemnation. Holocaust denial and anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish rhetoric are pervasive in the final draft document, as well as the entire gathering. The efforts of the Bush administration and particularly U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell are to be commended for their staunch adherence to an unwavering platform in support of eradicating global racism. Nancy Kaufman, Executive Director at the JCRC added: "It is a sad day when an issue as important as racism is hijacked by people who have little or no interest in solving this global problem, but would prefer to focus on unrelated regional issues that should be resolved at the negotiating table."
JCRC gratefully acknowledges the work of Norway and Canada in attempting to mediate a compromise, the principled positions of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the stands of 43 countries including Russia and India and countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa, against this false branding of Israel. It is hoped that one day soon the plenipotentiary of states meet under other auspices to map out steps towards genuine racial reconciliation.
