NEW YORK, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The World Jewish Congress today applauded the statement by the Obama administration that announced that the United States will not participate in the Commemoration of the Durban World Conference Against Racism scheduled to take place in September of 2011 during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Joseph E. McManus, acting Assistant Secretary of the US State Department, stated that, "In December, we voted against the resolution establishing this event because the Durban process included ugly displays of intolerance and anti-Semitism, and we did not want to see that commemorated."
Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said, "We commend the Administration''s determination to not participate in nor lend legitimacy to another international event that politicizes and undermines the battle against racism and discrimination by promoting anti-Israel canards. It is truly regrettable that still too many elements in the United Nations allow the international body to be misused and become an instrument of discrimination rather than truly fighting hatred and bigotry as it was intended. We call upon the other member states of the United Nations to join the United States and Canada in not attending the Commemoration of the Durban World Conference Against Racism."
"It is our fervent hope that the international community will one day unite in a genuine effort to defeat all forms of racism and anti-Semitism in a United Nations that will be free of all influences that defeat its true purpose, "added Lauder.
The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in over 90 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments, parliaments, and international organizations.
SOURCE World Jewish Congress