B’nai B’rith International (BBI) is deeply troubled with the role Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann will play as president of the United Nations General Assembly during Holocaust remembrance events on January 27.

Since becoming president of the General Assembly in September, d’Escoto has made a series of destructive and divisive anti-Israel and anti-Semitic statements. It is deeply troubling that d’Escoto, a man who has likened Israeli policies to “apartheid,” and has personally embraced Holocaust-denier Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will have a prominent role on such a solemn day. As president of the General Assembly, d’Escoto has publicly called for a boycott of Israel, and has accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinians. In fact, d’Escoto, an ordained Catholic priest, actually accused Israel of "crucifying" Palestinians.

As a constant voice of division and anti-Israel rhetoric, d’Escoto has practiced a consistent policy of bias that impairs his ability to play a positive role in events dedicated to remembering and honoring the victims of the Holocaust.

B’nai B’rith International, the only Jewish organization with a full time office dedicated to U.N. affairs, played a key part in the creation of the annual Holocaust remembrance day. The theme of this year’s event is “An Authentic Basis for Hope: Holocaust Remembrance and Education.”

After the main events at the General Assembly, BBI will present a compelling panel discussion in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day at the U.N. The program, “The Holocaust – the Rescued and the Rescuers,” will feature the personal stories of two people who were rescued during the Kindertransport, a mission that saved the lives of thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust. The BBI event is from 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at United Nations Conference Room 5, 46th Street and 1st Avenue, New York, New York 10017. Speakers are: Kurt and Margarete Goldberger, who were rescued during the Kindertransport; Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim, chair and CEO of the Raoul Wallenberg Committee of the United States; and Paul Shapiro, director of the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The panel will be moderated by BBI Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.