February 20, 2009

Dear Friend of Israel,

In April, 2009, the second U.N.-sponsored World Conference on Racism, popularly known as “Durban II,” will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. On the surface, a conference that gathers representatives of world governments to discuss ways to eliminate racial discrimination sounds noble. What person, or government, of goodwill could object to it?

But there is more to this conference than meets the eye. To understand why, we need to go back a few years, to September 2001 and the first World Conference on Racism, held in Durban, South Africa. At the conference, representatives from Israel and the U.S. watched in shock and dismay as Arab, Muslim, and pro-Palestinian groups banded together to harshly attack Israel, where citizens of all races and religions enjoy full rights and protection under the law, portraying it as a racist state on the level of apartheid-era South Africa. Jewish attendees reported that the atmosphere was extremely hostile. Some said they even feared for their safety.

Both Israel and the U.S. walked out of the first Durban conference when it became clear that it was little more than an occasion for Israel-bashing. Announcing the withdrawal, then Secretary of State Colin Powell was emphatic: “I know that you do not combat racism by conferences that produce declarations containing hateful language, some of which is a throwback to the days of ‘Zionism equals racism;’ or supports the idea that we have made too much of the Holocaust; or suggests that apartheid exists in Israel; or that singles out only one country in the world Israel for censure and abuse.”

Now the eyes of Israel’s supporters are on the follow-up conference. But the bad news is that there is the very real possibility that Durban II may become just another anti-Israel hatefest. As Hillel Neuer, director of the U.N. monitoring group U.N. Watch, put it, “Every indicator is that the sequel to Durban will mimic both the format and script of the 2001 conference, using the noble language of anti-racism as a cover to promote hatred of the West and anti-Semitic, anti-Israel propaganda.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has called on the international community to boycott Durban II. But earlier this week the U.S. showed signs that it may take part in the event, sending representatives to the consultations to Durban II that ended just a few days ago. The U.S. government’s intention, according to a State Department press release, is to “work to try to change the direction in which the Review Conference is heading.”

Changing the harsh anti-Israel, anti-Semitic direction of the World Conference on Racism is a laudable goal, and refocusing participants’ attention to their stated purpose of lessening worldwide racism would be a worthwhile accomplishment. But if the conference again turns toward an anti-Israel, anti-Semitic agenda, the U.S. must be prepared to take action by withdrawing immediately. As former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton has noted, other countries are looking for U.S. leadership on this issue. If the U.S. acts swiftly to disavow any anti-Israel bias at the conference, and refuses participation, other countries may follow suit.

In the weeks to come, I hope you will keep yourself informed about the upcoming Durban II conference by checking our website, reading my weekly commentary, and reviewing these informational resources from The Israel Project. And please remember to pray for Israel’s elected officials, as well as U.S. President Obama and his administration, and all who work for true peace in the Middle East. May we all see the day when Israel is welcomed as an equal among the community of nations.

With prayers for shalom, peace,