“While we are never pleased to walk away from international discussions in critical areas like racism, we credit the Obama administration for its good faith effort. We applaud the administration for sticking to its principles and recognizing and refusing to be part of a repeat of Durban I, a blatantly anti-Israel and anti-Semitic free-for-all,” said Moishe Smith, president of B’nai B’rith International (BBI).

“As an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) in the United Nations and its many bodies, including the Human Rights Council, B’nai B’rith has long believed that Durban II was doomed to failure without adherence to several unyielding principles – that no country, no conflict, no religion would be singled out for condemnation,” stated Daniel S. Mariaschin, BBI executive vice president.

BBI representatives were part of a conference call on Durban II Friday afternoon that was initiated by the Obama administration. The decision on Durban II appeared to be based on White House and State Department beliefs that they could no longer reverse the negative direction of the conference.

BBI, through its Center for Human Rights and Public Policy and Office of United Nations Affairs, will continue to monitor these issues as Durban II draws closer.