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At its annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the United Nations once again perpetuated an anti-Israel agenda. A world body fixture since 1977, it is the only U.N. celebration of solidarity with one specific group of people.

Perhaps most disappointing was the statement U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released which references “the occupation that began in 1967”—a nod to the radical view that posits the illegitimacy of Israel within any borders. Ban also mentioned nothing about Palestinian incitement.

“The secretary-general’s statement not only omits any mention of the continual Palestinian incitement against Israel but, while he criticizes the rocket attacks from Gaza, he calls for ‘maximum restraint’ from Israel—in effect negating the criticism of the attacks,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “With U.N. complicity, the Palestinians continue to reject Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.”

U.N. leaders must be held accountable for countering the misinformation and outright lies about Israel that are present each year at this event instead of perpetuating them by allowing these unsubstantiated views to be presented on the international stage.

The showing of the anti-Zionist film “The Land Speaks Arabic” shares a revisionist history that the establishment of the State of Israel occurred only through an “ethnic cleansing” of Palestine by the Zionists. This gross abuse of the historical record shows a blatant disregard for reality.

“Unfortunately these anti-Israel festivities do nothing to advance a peaceful transition in the Middle East and Ban’s statement crosses the line,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “The fact that the United Nations continues to spearhead this event each year unfortunately demonstrates how far the gap has widened between reality and the world body’s goals and principles.”

B’nai B’rith has had a continued presence at the United Nations since its establishment, and continues to work to ensure the achievement of the protection of human rights and promotion of tolerance and peace.