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B’nai B’rith International Geneva representative Klaus Netter delivered a public statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that rejected the distortions that are common at the UNHRC when discussion turns to Israel. Netter also highlights Israel’s values—democracy, openness and tolerance.

Below, you can watch or read his remarks. Netter begins speaking at the 52:08 mark.

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Klaus Netter delivering the statement. Screen shot: UN TV

“Mr. President,
 
In the wake of an ongoing Palestinian wave of terror against Israeli civilians, which has been largely greeted by silence and periodically even justification at the UN, we rise to speak the truth about Israel, in opposition to the distortions and false narratives that are a regular feature of this Council’s deliberations under the discriminatory Agenda Item 7.
 
Israel is a vibrant democracy under siege by enemies who wish to annihilate the only nation-state of the Jewish people. This is no secret, as the terrorist organizations and the regimes that support them openly vow to wipe the country from the map, with little outcry in this Council chamber about the proto-genocidal incitement, let alone the attacks on civilians carried out by those vilifying and dehumanizing Jews and Israelis.
 
Israel is a rare country in the region where both Muslim and Christian populations continuously grow in size, are represented in virtually all strata of society and enjoy equal rights like all citizens. In the rest of the Middle East, most Jews were either expelled or forced to flee long ago, and Christian minority populations are under constant threat, and dwindling.
 
Women in Israel have equal rights and LGBT people are able to live in freedom unimaginable in the rest of the region, and indeed, in many other parts of the world. The press in Israel is free and open, and can be counted upon to be highly critical of any Israeli government, right, left or center. Israeli civil society is vibrant and contributes to innovation, culture and humanitarianism worldwide.
 
Israel has a lot to teach the rest of the world about how to fight for survival while maintaining cherished moral values.
 
Thank you, Mr. President.”