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Protesters demonstrating against Israel at the Durban conference in South Africa in 2001. (AP / Archives)
Last update - 05:51 21/11/2008
Israel to boycott 'Durban II' anti-racism conference
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: israel news, durban 

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni announced Wednesday that Israel has made a final decision to boycott the United Nations "Durban II" conference on human rights this spring, fearing it would be used once again as a forum for anti-Israeli sentiment.

The World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to be held in Geneva in April, is a follow-up to a 2001 summit in Durban, South Africa on the same issues.

"The documents prepared for the conference indicate that it is turning once again into an anti-Israeli tribunal, singling out and delegitimizing the State of Israel," Livni told Jewish-American leaders at the UJC General Assembly in Jerusalem.
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"The conference has nothing to do with fighting racism," she said. "In view of this situation, I decided that Israel will not participate and will not legitimize the Durban II conference."

The foreign minister also called on the international community "not to participate in a conference which seeks to legitimize hatred and extremism under the banner of a fight against racism."

Livni had said in February that Israel would botcott the meet, following assessment by the Foreign Ministry, and other Western governments, that it would be impossible to prevent the conference from turning into a festival of anti-Israeli attacks.

South Africa hosted the first Durban conference in the summer of 2001 under the auspices of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It was titled "The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance," but most of the discussions revolved around Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.

The United States and Israel responded by lowering the level of their diplomatic representation and eventually quit the conference, which culminated in a resolution equating Zionism and racism.

The two country's issued over the draft texts branding Israel as a racist and apartheid state - language that was later dropped.

That conference had also provided a framework for a global convention of non-governmental organizations, which became a platform for delegitimizing Israel.

In August 2008, officials from 21 African countries held talks ahead of the Geneva conference and adopted a text which recommended it discuss, among other issues, "the plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupations."

Canada has said it will not take part in the Geneva meeting. The United States, Britain, the Netherlands and France have said they may stay away if Israel's relations with Palestinians stands to eclipse all else.

In September, Navi Pillay, the UN's commissioner for human rights, urged all countries threatening to boycott the Geneva conference to reconsider their decision.

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      1.   Israel will save tons of money on avoiding conferences 13:53  |  Natallie Durson 19/11/08
      2.   Israel late again in its Public relation shame on the FM 14:11  |  Simon 19/11/08
      3.   If you don`t have a "bad conscience", there is no reason..... 14:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 19/11/08
      4.   un money 14:29  |  fish israel 19/11/08
      5.   be well prepared and willing to fight 15:06  |  Suisse (rightie) 19/11/08
      6.   #3 Dinosaur,Switzerland has a "bad conscience" 15:13  |  Hastaroth 19/11/08
      7.   Durban II as was Durban I, will be an orgy of racism, anti-Jewish 15:26  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 19/11/08
      8.   The UK has accepted Chinas occupation of of Tibet 15:35  |  Anti racism 19/11/08
      9.   Well-known arguments in Durban( and elsewhere) 15:37  |  Daniel 19/11/08
      10.   Livni: we are only interested in racism against us 15:42  |  all others 19/11/08
      11.   Well-known arguments in Durban (like elsewhere) 15:50  |  Daniel 19/11/08
      12.   33 Swiss....we don`t attend, they don`t get cash 15:52  |  Lynn 19/11/08
      13.   Can you say gall? 15:53  |  murray the k 19/11/08
      14.   Israel Should Not Attend 15:54  |  Mary 19/11/08
      15.   My Question 15:57  |  Daniel King 19/11/08
      16.   Occupation is the best thing ever happened to the Palis. 16:06  |  ottomatik 19/11/08
      17.   What if they gave a conference and no one (sane) came? 16:07  |  utagawa 19/11/08
      18.   Enemies of Jewish people need their presence? Smart 16:08  |  Adolf H. 19/11/08
      19.   The most democratic country in Europe is Spain 16:10  |  Israeil Citizen 19/11/08
      20.   #! Natalie Durson living in Iran, what is your persian name? 16:11  |  Big Sur 19/11/08
      21.   real racism will not be discussed 16:17  |  Rani Habelgi 19/11/08
      22.   #3 swiss Dino when someone insults and is wrong why bother 16:17  |  Big Sur 19/11/08
      23.   #12 Mary from Boston, can you tell me what country supplies fuel` 16:25  |  Big Sur 19/11/08
      24.   # 14 ottomatik 16:26  |  Mary 19/11/08
      25.   Not correct 16:26  |  herb 19/11/08
      26.   What you mean boycot ? Too mild 16:26  |  TOMY 19/11/08
      27.   ANTISEMITES OF THE WORLD UNITE !!!! 16:29  |  TOMY 19/11/08
      28.   Israel should go there and confront its critics 16:34  |  C 19/11/08
      29.   # 21 Big Sur / I will answer this, one time only 16:43  |  Mary 19/11/08
      30.   Mary #22 Have you noticed what happened in E. JERUSALEM 16:49  |  Big Sur 19/11/08
      31.   Durban conference was a shame 16:50  |  Abuya 19/11/08
      32.   #27 C they did go to Durbin I 16:53  |  Lynn 19/11/08
      33.   Durban Conference 16:54  |  Angel 19/11/08
      34.   1 16:55  |  W 19/11/08
      35.   Anti-Semitism has long been turned into pure racism... 16:56  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 19/11/08
      36.   #29 Mary You have Blinders on I am sad for you 17:03  |  Big Sur 19/11/08
      37.   Re: C #28 17:11  |  Angel 19/11/08
      38.   To Swiss (Dino): on the false argument of bad conscience 17:31  |  Israeli citizen 19/11/08
      39.   W # 34 That`s Not True 18:05  |  Jeff Northridge 19/11/08
      40.   Swiss dino`s remarks become a bit inane 19:36  |  Arie 19/11/08
      41.   Attend Durban II anti-racism conference 19:37  |  H.H.M. 19/11/08
      42.   Chaim Weizmann once said: 19:42  |  POP 19/11/08
      43.   To # 34 W - No Holocaust No Israel - Wrong. 21:05  |  Onlooker 19/11/08
      44.   ISRAEL TO BE CONDEMNED 22:49  |  indrajaya 19/11/08
      45.   Mary you make me laugh 22:54  |  Ronald 19/11/08
      46.   Swiss (Dino) - third try 22:58  |  David Israel 19/11/08
      47.   swiss (Dino) and Kangaroo Courts 23:18  |  bronxite10 19/11/08
      48.   Egypt 23:22  |  ron 19/11/08
      49.   #41 indrajaya is on the end if the rope 23:27  |  TOMY 19/11/08
      50.   Would be more credible 00:10  |  Dave Duncan 20/11/08
      51.   "Durban 2" - racist conference 00:35  |  Sarah 20/11/08
      52.   SWISS nothing justfies the racist behaviour of the delegates 00:36  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      53.   INDRAJAYA ISRAEL WILL BE CONDEMNED BECAUSE ITS A MOSLEM HIJACKED 00:39  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      54.   "Durban 2" - racist conference 00:44  |  Sarah 20/11/08
      55.   # 37 Wrong, Arie...... 00:49  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      56.   Canada not attending Durban ll 00:53  |  peter 20/11/08
      57.   # 42 David Israel 00:53  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      58.   Yasser Arafat always said: 01:12  |  POP 20/11/08
      59.   Swiss (Dino) 03:00  |  David Israel 20/11/08
      60.   Swiss(al-Dino) 03:20  |  Malone 20/11/08
      61.   DO not expect the racist Hamas charter to get a mention 03:20  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      62.   To POP #50 03:36  |  David LG 20/11/08
      63.   What is Israel afraid of? 03:54  |  BBSNews 20/11/08
      64.   swiss 04:52  |  strange 20/11/08
      65.   Dino,Israel won`t attend because Jews have bad conscience 04:55  |  ME 20/11/08
      66.   Yes, stay in the stollen lands! 05:22  |  Niva dos Santos 20/11/08
      67.   Ohhhhhhh the Irony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 05:24  |  Wally 20/11/08
      68.   #47 - Dino - I`m shocked!!!! 05:27  |  Dr Eric 20/11/08
      69.   NO way Israel should take part in this hate-fest!! 05:32  |  Dr Eric 20/11/08
      70.   hhm38 05:44  |  strange 20/11/08
      71.   Swiss (Dino) second try 05:45  |  David Israel 20/11/08
      72.   Wally - your facts are upside down!!! 07:05  |  Lisa 20/11/08
      73.   Dino - total wrong!! 07:09  |  dr Eric 20/11/08
      74.   To POP # 39 - Chaim Weizmann once said..... 07:15  |  Dagma 20/11/08
      75.   To POP # 39 - Chaim Weizmann once said..... 07:15  |  Dagma 20/11/08
      76.   NIVA DOS SANTOS Leave Indian land now colonialista 07:50  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      77.   POP What did the Arabs say about a million Jews expelled and 07:54  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      78.   POPThe Arab league said"This will be a war of extermination " 08:11  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      79.   What is Israel afraid of? - 2nd try 08:15  |  BBSNews 20/11/08
      80.   Lisa from Albany, Arafat is dead... 08:17  |  BBSNews 20/11/08
      81.   ISRAEL VERY PROUD OF TOLERANCE AND KINDNESS!!! 08:31  |  Dr eric 20/11/08
      82.   the PA leadership demanded - OCCUPATION!!!!! 08:34  |  Dr Eric 20/11/08
      83.   #74 BBS news 09:13  |  Sarah 20/11/08
      84.   sarah 83 10:49  |  potobac 20/11/08
      85.   Ms. Livni is right! 11:20  |  US CITIZEN 20/11/08
      86.   To Mary - Boston - Israel Should Not Attend 11:44  |  Michael 20/11/08
      87.   Livni:"singling out and delegitimising the State of Israel" 11:59  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/11/08
      88.   #84 potobac 12:07  |  Sarah 20/11/08
      89.   # 25 HERB 12:12  |  Michael 20/11/08
      90.   # 6 Hastaroth, no problem for us to participate in Geneva.... 12:57  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      91.   # 12 Lynn, you (the U.S.) don`t have money anymore...:) 13:00  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      92.   # 38 Israeli citizen 13:12  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      93.   boycott Switzerland Durban II 13:12  |  Ralph 20/11/08
      94.   # 46 David Israel, # 64 strange, # 65 ME 13:17  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      95.   BBSNews # 79 She Does 13:19  |  Jeff Northridge 20/11/08
      96.   # 73 Dr Eric 13:23  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      97.   It`s a conference on racism, not anit-racism 13:27  |  Joe Sittizen 20/11/08
      98.   # 22 Big Sur (2nd try) 15:09  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/11/08
      99.   Hastaroth - see how CLEAN swiss d REALLY is 15:39  |  CK Tan 20/11/08
      100.   #90 Cleaned out our closet? Really? 15:47  |  Petra 20/11/08
      101.   Cipora Julianna Kohn # 87 It`s Too Late To Delegitimize Israel 15:52  |  Jeff Northridge 20/11/08
      102.   To Ottomatik 16:33  |  Sam Soul 20/11/08
      103.   Haaret$: The Point of These Boards? 16:53  |  Tex 20/11/08
      104.   Their "betters" Sarah? 17:56  |  BBSNews 20/11/08
      105.   Hi Michael #86 re Mary of Boston 18:01  |  Big Sur 20/11/08
      106.   Our Lickspittle, George W. Harper Not Indicative Of Canadian View 18:16  |  chet 20/11/08
      107.   Why is it so easy.... 18:22  |  EHA 20/11/08
      108.   Swiss #91 19:18  |  Roo 20/11/08
      109.   #56 peter...Let those who are without Sin Cast the first Stone!. 20:07  |  KATHY 20/11/08
      110.   #93 Ralph We Will Boycott..Here is an Apendix.. 20:23  |  KATHY 20/11/08
      111.   # 90 Swiss....not true 20:23  |  Lynn 20/11/08
      112.   And Arsonists Ignore Fire Prevention Week.... 20:30  |  Gray 20/11/08
      113.   Dr Eric: Please refresh yourself with..... 20:36  |  Gray 20/11/08
      114.   #102 Gray An Arsonist will go to see if anything to learn 20:49  |  Big Sur 20/11/08
      115.   #94 Swiss , Fair and balanced jury ? 20:52  |  TOMY 20/11/08
      116.   #103 I too have seen it first hand... obviously you were not ther 20:54  |  Big Sur 20/11/08
      117.   Every dessent clear thinking should boycot 21:02  |  TOMY 20/11/08
      118.   #99 CK Tan..I`ve said on numerous occasions,But,Haaretz has not.. 21:04  |  KATHY 20/11/08
      119.   #98 Swiss Dino (3rd try) Last try 21:05  |  Big Sur 20/11/08
      120.   #61 Peter SM Hamas Charter???You must be Joking.. 21:16  |  KATHY 20/11/08
      121.   Swiss...BTW...we may be down but 21:44  |  Lynn 20/11/08
      122.   Portuguese descolonization in Africa 21:57  |  Jose Marcio 20/11/08
      123.   12 mary/boston, usa 21:57  |  Mona 20/11/08
      124.   DURBAN 2 22:06  |  shoshanna 20/11/08
      125.   big sur, what about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising? 22:33  |  BBSNews 20/11/08
      126.   Big Sur: Still Squattin` n` Spongin` Off Of Americans 22:36  |  Gray 20/11/08
      127.   Gray,you saw and heard nothing except some unidentifiable photos 22:39  |  ME 20/11/08
      128.   indrajaya-#44-It`s Papua not Irian Jaya 22:53  |  Daniel Leopold 20/11/08
      129.   173 countries ratified it so far big sur... 23:06  |  BBSNews 20/11/08
      130.   Gray # 104 The Problem Is... 23:09  |  Jeff Northridge 20/11/08
      131.   Why is BSNews so deluded? 23:17  |  SDHD 20/11/08
      132.   BSNews from cluelessville 23:19  |  SDHD 20/11/08
      133.   #113 BBs News Evedn you know that the Warsaw uprising 23:22  |  Big Sur 20/11/08
      134.   Kathy Australia is not going as far as I know to this hatefes 23:24  |  PETER SM 20/11/08
      135.   #114 Gray you must be King of the Armchair warriors. 23:26  |  Big Sur 20/11/08
      136.   #111 Big Sur the French just may attend 23:41  |  Lynn 20/11/08
      137.   #106 Big Sur..For God`s Sake let him go.We Will Breath A Sigh Of 23:52  |  KATHY 20/11/08
      138.   ME - on Gray 23:52  |  Palestinian Brit 20/11/08
      139.   BBS Did the Warsaw Ghetto have an obliterate Germany Charter? 00:09  |  PETER SM 21/11/08
      140.   The Same Spirit Of Holocaust Denial 00:14  |  Gray 21/11/08
      141.   INDRAJAYA Are you going to allow Balinese to have a referendum 00:19  |  PETER SM 21/11/08
      142.   Indrajaya 44 00:23  |  Angel 21/11/08
      143.   # 138, ANGEL 00:36  |  indrajaya 21/11/08
      144.   Jeff N. It`s been a while... 00:42  |  Gray 21/11/08
      145.   INDRAJAYA"no problem" Because you,like the rest,can do no wrong 00:50  |  PETER SM 21/11/08
      146.   #137 Another White Flag from "Apartheid Kate"? 00:52  |  Gray 21/11/08
      147.   deal with the issue, then it won`t eclipse all else! 00:54  |  Raymond Deane 21/11/08
      148.   Shalom Kathy #137 ?? I do not know 01:23  |  Big Sur 21/11/08
      149.   PalestinianBrit thjose tourists in Betlehem 01:29  |  Big Sur 21/11/08
      150.   Haaretz Part One,And Two: The Durban Conference 01:38  |  K 21/11/08
      151.   Haaretz a bit mixed up.Part Three .. 01:44  |  K 21/11/08
      152.   Jerusalem 02:02  |  Judi 21/11/08
      153.   #137 Say Kath 02:02  |  ballistic 21/11/08
      154.   GRAY.Exactly! Worlds apartheid murderers in charge of Durban 2 02:15  |  PETER SM 21/11/08
      155.   #101, Jeff Northridge 02:26  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/11/08
      156.   #103 Tex My Friend..Never a truer Word Was Spoken,,By You,And 02:38  |  KATHY 21/11/08
      157.   DEANNE SO deal with Islamist,Jihadist,Racist Ideology 03:41  |  PETER SM 21/11/08
      158.   Re: Tex # 103 03:45  |  Angel 21/11/08
      159.   No need to legitimize 03:46  |  Jack Olson 21/11/08
      160.   Israelis are like chronic abusers shifting the blame .... 03:57  |  Dutch 21/11/08
      161.   Angel 06:02  |  Tex 21/11/08
      162.   Angel, what utter nonsense... 06:07  |  BBSNews 21/11/08
      163.   #162 - BBSNews 06:58  |  Yitz 21/11/08
      164.   Tex 07:24  |  Philippe 21/11/08
      165.   BBS News talking about antisemitism free Haret`z talkbacks 07:40  |  Jack 21/11/08
      166.   Peter sm: Israel needs rational minds to help THERE. Not... 08:02  |  Gray 21/11/08
      167.   BBS ethnic cleansing a crime.You had better tell the Arabs 08:22  |  PETER SM 21/11/08
      168.   Tex, I get it, when I think of wingnuts... 08:54  |  BBSNews 21/11/08
      169.   BBS full of BS 09:28  |  Dr Eric 21/11/08
      170.   #90 Dino, plase! Racisme in Switzerland is well and alive 13:02  |  Emma (Swiss too) 21/11/08
      171.   Being right... 15:07  |  jjvanka 21/11/08
      172.   #127 ME A Rely.. 21:47  |  K 21/11/08
      173.   durban 2 09:22  |  jerome henen 20/12/08
      174.   RE BBSnews 04:33  |  Shlomog 27/02/09
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