Statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) by B’nai b’rith International representative Anita Winter
A B’nai B’rith International representative in Geneva, Anita Winter, delivered the below statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) condemning the world body’s silence in responding to anti-Semitic rhetoric from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. To read B’nai B’rith International’s press release on this statement, click here.
Mr. President,
When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas made vile comments blaming the Jewish people for centuries of persecution against us, including the Holocaust, many leaders in the international community denounced the anti-Semitic outburst.
But where was the UN? We commend Nikoley Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for putting out a strong statement, and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay for concurring with it.
In New York, however, Kuwait blocked a UN Security Council statement to condemn the remarks. And here in Geneva, the remarks were greeted by a shameful silence from the High Commissioner and OHCHR. Perhaps OHCHR was too busy harassing Israeli companies, or pretending that a series of violent riots orchestrated by a terrorist group at the border fence between Israel and Gaza amounted to peaceful protests?
Many countries on this council were also silent in the face of this outrageous display of hatred. To effectively combat anti-Semitism, states must, at a bare minimum, confront incitement to anti-Semitism. Indifference to such incitement in the Middle East allows it to become normalized and spread like a virus.
When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas made vile comments blaming the Jewish people for centuries of persecution against us, including the Holocaust, many leaders in the international community denounced the anti-Semitic outburst.
But where was the UN? We commend Nikoley Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, for putting out a strong statement, and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay for concurring with it.
In New York, however, Kuwait blocked a UN Security Council statement to condemn the remarks. And here in Geneva, the remarks were greeted by a shameful silence from the High Commissioner and OHCHR. Perhaps OHCHR was too busy harassing Israeli companies, or pretending that a series of violent riots orchestrated by a terrorist group at the border fence between Israel and Gaza amounted to peaceful protests?
Many countries on this council were also silent in the face of this outrageous display of hatred. To effectively combat anti-Semitism, states must, at a bare minimum, confront incitement to anti-Semitism. Indifference to such incitement in the Middle East allows it to become normalized and spread like a virus.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Anita Winter