At the United Nations’ Durban Review Conference, which opened in Geneva today, several countries have decided to boycott the meeting, citing anti-Israel language in the summit’s platform as the reason. Those countries, which include Poland, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and New Zealand, follow in the footsteps of the United States, Canada, and Israel, all of whom had already decided to forego the conference months ago.
“We are encouraged that more countries are speaking out against the anti-Israel tone presented in the pre-conference documents,” said B’nai B’rith International (BBI) Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “We hope that their boycott of the conference will shed light on the injustices taking place. In that spirit, B’nai B’rith believes it is vital for organizations such as ours to be present in Geneva so that we can serve as watchdogs and speak out against the injustices taking place on behalf of those absent.”
B’nai B’rith International has sent a delegation of 50 representatives from 11 countries, led by Honorary President Richard D. Heideman and Mariaschin, to the Durban Review Conference.
“It is encouraging that so many nations are recognizing these proceedings as highly tainted,” Heideman said. “Global racism and intolerance are serious issues that need attention. It is obvious that this is not the right forum for these matters.”
BBI Chairman of U.N. Affairs Ambassador Joseph Harari, Heideman, and Mariaschin also attended the International Jewish Caucus press conference, which included an address from Heideman.
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