Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., April 23, 2009 Nisan 29, 5769 | | Israel Time: 09:47 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100
Last update - 09:50 28/02/2009
U.S. to boycott Durban 2 conference on racism
By Shlomo Shamir and Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: UN, Israel news, U.S. 

The United States will not attend a United Nations conference on racism that critics say will be a forum to criticize Israel, and will no longer participate in planning sessions for it, the State Department announced on Friday.

The conference is a follow-up to the contentious 2001 conference in the South African city of Durban which was dominated by clashes over the Middle East and the legacy of slavery. The U.S. and Israel walked out midway through that eight-day meeting over a draft resolution that singled out Israel for criticism and likened Zionism - the movement to establish and maintain a Jewish state - to racism.

Israel and Canada have already announced that they will boycott the upcoming World Conference Against Racism in Geneva from April 20-25, known as Durban 2, but President Barack Obama's administration decided to assess the negotiations before making a decision on U.S. participation.
Advertisement
The decision to drop U.S. involvement comes one day before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves on her first trip to the Middle East in her new capacity, including stops in Israel.

A U.S. delegation took part in negotiations this month on summit. Referring to the content of draft resolutions formulated during the preparations, the source said that during negotiations "a bad document became worse," prompting the U.S. to end its affiliation with the conference.

The U.S. decided the final document that will be produced by the conference is "not salvageable," another official said.

"The document being negotiated has gone from bad to worse, and the current text of the draft outcome document is not salvageable," State Department spokesperson Robert Wood said. "As a result, the United States will not engage in further negotiations on this text, nor will we participate in a conference based on this text. A conference based on this text would be a missed opportunity to speak clearly about the persistent problem of racism."

"The United States remains open to a positive result in Geneva based on a document that takes a constructive approach to tackling the challenges of racism and discrimination," Wood said.

Critics of the April conference, say Arab nations will use it as a forum to bash Israel and charge that the draft document will limit freedom of religion and speech.

Last week, Haaretz learned that the draft resolutions for the conference branded Israel as an occupying state that carries out racist policies. They refer to "the plight of Palestinian refugees and other inhabitants of the Arab occupied territories," apparently meaning Israel itself.

The senior UN source told Haaretz that the U.S. ended its contact with the nations that drafted the resolutions, which will be voted on during the summit. The Americans did not want a draft resolution reiterating the decisions of the first Durban summit, held in 2001, to be brought to a vote, the source said.

They also insisted that no country would be specifically mentioned by name in any resolution and even objected to an initiative by Muslim countries to ratify a law banning criticism of any religion in the media, the source added.

The 2001 World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban was meant to lay down a blueprint for nations to address sensitive issues.

Israel and the United States walked out in protest over a draft text branding Israel as a racist and apartheid state, language that was later dropped.

The State Department did say though that the U.S. plans to participate in this month's UN Human Rights Council in an observer status though it expressed its reservations over the body's frequent opprobrium of Israel.

"Our participation as an observer is a sign of the commitment of the Administration to advancing the cause of human rights in the multilateral arena," the State Department said. "We look forward to the help and cooperation of our friends and allies to ensure the Human Rights Council focuses on the pressing human rights concerns of our time."

Besides the Durban controvery, supporters of Israel will have their hands full. Pro-Palestinian activists plan on staging "Israel Apartheid Week" beginning Monday in New York. Among the prominent participants is Nir Harel, an Israeli member of Anarchists Against the Wall. Events will include "forums, films, cultural events and street protests."‬

Related articles:
  • U.S. fends off Israeli pressure, decides to help plan 'Durban 2'
  • Obama officials meet U.S. Jews to explain their Durban II policy
  • Durban II drafts: Israel is racist, occupying state
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Two peoples, two states
    Poll: Three-quarters of both Israelis and Palestinians want a two-state solution.
    IDF's wartime ethics
    Internal army probe finds no proof of war crimes committed during Operation Cast Lead.
      1.   thanks G-D, we wouldn`t give credibilty to this circus(end) 21:36  |  Leon 27/02/09
      2.   Here we go again. 21:41  |  Jacob Blues 27/02/09
      3.   Barak Obama`s Government 21:48  |  Richard 27/02/09
      4.   The only thing that seems to have changed with U.S. ME policy.... 22:03  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/02/09
      5.   what an honest broker 22:23  |  arief contractor 27/02/09
      6.   cant handle the truth huh? 22:24  |  predictable 27/02/09
      7.   Look inwards stop Jews beware Hatred is fed early in mothers milk 22:27  |  Jane 27/02/09
      8.   To Swiss (Dino) 22:30  |  Josh 27/02/09
      9.   #1 - Answer to Swiss Dino 22:36  |  Maurice 27/02/09
      10.   well done America 22:48  |  UN bias and hatred 27/02/09
      11.   United States, leader of the free world 22:52  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/02/09
      12.   A RACIST Conference of hate. That the UN alright 22:53  |  David 27/02/09
      13.   #4, Dino, when the racists are running the show everyone boycott 22:55  |  David 27/02/09
      14.   Israel (and US Gov`t) Can`t Handle the Truth 22:56  |  dino 27/02/09
      15.   Dino, Is Racism Occuring In One Spot on Earth Only? 22:57  |  Eli 27/02/09
      16.   What would have been a convincing U.S. approach....???? 22:57  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/02/09
      17.   Ok. And would the US please... 23:00  |  Carsten 27/02/09
      18.   Religious intolerence... 23:02  |  john 27/02/09
      19.   To Swiss (Dino #4). Now you know! 23:02  |  flyingdoc57 27/02/09
      20.   Durban 23:03  |  Reality check 27/02/09
      21.   You`ve got it wrong, Swiss #4, as you often do... 23:11  |  Esther 27/02/09
      22.   # 8 Josh / # 9 Maurice 23:15  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/02/09
      23.   Swiss Dino 23:16  |  ChanahS 27/02/09
      24.   what a disappointment.. where`s the change!!? 23:18  |  d 27/02/09
      25.   It would be hypocritical for the US to attend Durban 2 Summit. 23:24  |  Maureen Ann 27/02/09
      26.   Israel is not an occupying power? The earth is flat? 23:26  |  Joe 27/02/09
      27.   swiss (dino) 23:31  |  scallywag 27/02/09
      28.   # 4 Swiss...no, but that incredibly wonderful nation 23:39  |  Lynn 27/02/09
      29.   cant handle truth 23:39  |  seth 27/02/09
      30.   Well I for one am cautiously optimistic,and glad.. 23:42  |  kathy 27/02/09
      31.   Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance 23:42  |  Joseph.E 27/02/09
      32.   Well I for one am cautiously optimistic,and glad.. 23:42  |  Kathy 27/02/09
      33.   Maurice 23:48  |  Swiss Garry 27/02/09
      34.   I`m glad President Obama and Secretary Clinton have decided... 23:52  |  John 27/02/09
      35.   Durban 23:53  |  Jean-Paul Walshaw 27/02/09
      36.   Actually Dino, a truly independent nation would do such a thing 00:01  |  Jacob Blues 28/02/09
      37.   Dino from Switzerland 00:04  |  Arnold 28/02/09
      38.   Dino, your AntiSemitism is now quite open and clear 00:19  |  Rob 28/02/09
      39.   AIPAC/ISRAEL once again show how powerful they are in Washington! 00:20  |  ramin 28/02/09
      40.   Dino`s Antisemitism is now in the open 00:24  |  Rob AA 28/02/09
      41.   To Dino and the Swiss 00:28  |  Daniel 28/02/09
      42.   Swiss -- Conditioned on moral clarity 00:32  |  Gina 28/02/09
      43.   Swiss Dino 4 -- What I can`t fathom is why 00:43  |  ChanahS 28/02/09
      44.   GOD BLESS AMERICA 00:47  |  doug 28/02/09
      45.   Genuine Efforts By A Principled Man Rebuffed by Arabs 00:53  |  Brad 28/02/09
      46.   Durban 2, will surprise many, thats for sure. 00:53  |  Stephen. 28/02/09
      47.   Boycott 01:01  |  Joan 28/02/09
      48.   Swiss gary 01:05  |  Philippe 28/02/09
      49.   Why cant Israel handle critisism? 01:07  |  Ahmad 28/02/09
      50.   And Nothing has changed with Durban policy 01:07  |  Puregoldj 28/02/09
      51.   Boycott 01:41  |  Joan 28/02/09
      52.   # 11 Rob, you should not put words in my mouth..... 01:41  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      53.   "Unsalvageable" Duban II 01:44  |  Jeff Northridge 28/02/09
      54.   The US Israel lobby wins again 01:49  |  Fred 28/02/09
      55.   2nd try. What`s the difference? USrael is one. 01:50  |  Maureen Ann 28/02/09
      56.   What would have been a convincing U.S. approach (2nd try) ??? 01:52  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      57.   Swissdino 01:58  |  Stephanie 28/02/09
      58.   Kudos to us government 01:59  |  kiwiboy 28/02/09
      59.   Ramin 02:01  |  Stephanie 28/02/09
      60.   # 8 / # 9 Josh and Maurice ( 2nd try) 02:03  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      61.   Dear Dino 02:07  |  George Blat 28/02/09
      62.   # 13 / # 14 / # 15 Daniel, Gina, Chanah, read Stephens post.... 02:09  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      63.   Ramin`s envy 02:22  |  Paul 28/02/09
      64.   Israeli Racism and Durban II 02:28  |  Le Corbeau 28/02/09
      65.   Simple truth of the matter is.... 02:35  |  Jalil 28/02/09
      66.   By the way, Josh, Maurice, Rob etc...... 02:39  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      67.   Next Steps 02:44  |  John Q. Public 28/02/09
      68.   pragmatism 03:00  |  no BHO suporter 28/02/09
      69.   Let`s face it 03:10  |  Ed 28/02/09
      70.   Obama and Durban... 03:19  |  Connie 28/02/09
      71.   ISRAEL IS NOT RACIST AT ALL!!!! 03:21  |  RICK 28/02/09
      72.   #16 doug..GOD BNLESS AMERICA..MAY I SECOND IT dough? 03:21  |  Whiskey 28/02/09
      73.   One point for Obama 03:22  |  Nechama 28/02/09
      74.   Swiss Banks have a particular `relation` to arab wealth . 03:33  |  Joseph.E 28/02/09
      75.   Ramin # 12, just as Obama wanted to do the right thing and take p 03:37  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 28/02/09
      76.   Not the place for decent people to be - S/land 03:39  |  17 28/02/09
      77.   To Swiss Dino (# 33). 04:05  |  flyingdoc57 28/02/09
      78.   US to boycut Durban II 04:13  |  al 28/02/09
      79.   Durban 2 promote Obscurantism under the excuse of Freedom of Asse 04:15  |  Joseph.E 28/02/09
      80.   Ahmad, nobody wants to be set up 04:18  |  Lola 28/02/09
      81.   Sorry to hear you won`t be turning a few extra dollars, Dino ... 04:19  |  Morris Valentine 28/02/09
      82.   To Swiss (Dino) -- Again 04:23  |  Josh 28/02/09
      83.   Can the arab countries handle their truths? 04:39  |  Lola 28/02/09
      84.   Pot, meet kettle 04:48  |  AT 28/02/09
      85.   Sidebar implications on conference 05:06  |  Angela Mack 28/02/09
      86.   Josh 05:06  |  Le Corbeau 28/02/09
      87.   Having Jewish Only Settlements and Roads Assigned to Non Jews 05:22  |  Monitor 28/02/09
      88.   So far agreements produced not peace but Antisemitism 05:26  |  Joseph.E 28/02/09
      89.   #39 Ramin 05:35  |  Dave 28/02/09
      90.   RICK # 54 That Isn`t Racism 05:45  |  Jeff Northridge 28/02/09
      91.   AT 06:06  |  Brad 28/02/09
      92.   Le Corbeau 06:10  |  Brad 28/02/09
      93.   #86, Le Corbeau 06:24  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/02/09
      94.   US,racism, and Durban 2 06:52  |  Sabah 28/02/09
      95.   wake up Israel 06:52  |  Evan 28/02/09
      96.   OBAMA: "Sustained diplomacy for more peaceful and prosperous Iraq 08:19  |  Camp Lejeune 28/02/09
      97.   well done obama 08:19  |  sham of a conference 28/02/09
      98.   Dino, If it Looks like a Duck, walks like a Duck, Quacks like a D 08:20  |  Rob AA 28/02/09
      99.   Is Obama`s "Future of Hope" only on offer to Iraqis? 08:31  |  Obama 27Feb2009 28/02/09
      100.   OBAMA: "Sustained diplomacy for more peaceful and prosperous Iraq 09:00  |  Camp Lejeune 28/02/09
      101.   durban 09:01  |  vida 28/02/09
      102.   #96, obama`s speech 09:27  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/02/09
      103.   # 98 Robbie, it makes perfectly sense..... 11:28  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      104.   Swiss Dino 11:30  |  ChanahS 28/02/09
      105.   Boycott? 11:35  |  Jim 28/02/09
      106.   Trivial concerns 11:52  |  Natallie Durson 28/02/09
      107.   #4 Swiss Dino 12:03  |  Sarah 28/02/09
      108.   The Alternative for Swiss Dino and EU 12:11  |  Sceptic 28/02/09
      109.   The looser is USA 12:12  |  Petteri 28/02/09
      110.   4 million Palestinians, 4 billion people 12:29  |  Ricardo 28/02/09
      111.   Dear C.J. Kohn - The reason you understand Obama`s speech is that 13:02  |  Camp Lejeune 28/02/09
      112.   #90 Jeff 13:13  |  brazilian 28/02/09
      113.   IS PTSD bad for US Soldiers--but good for Gaza Civilians? 13:48  |  TRAUMATIC STRESS 28/02/09
      114.   Borders Closed to Jewish people. 14:27  |  Swiss Garry 28/02/09
      115.   Petteri # 109 Each Country Is Responsible For Its Own Human Right 16:11  |  Jeff Northridge 28/02/09
      116.   Swiss Diner 16:19  |  H 28/02/09
      117.   102 Cipora other countries human rights record... 16:24  |  Dutch 28/02/09
      118.   103 Swiss Dini betting his "whole fortune" on Antisemitic thesis 16:29  |  Rob AA 28/02/09
      119.   113 Traumatic Stress: Good for Sderot Children for 8 years? 16:33  |  Rob AA 28/02/09
      120.   114 Swiss Gary. Yes, Swiss borders were closed to Jews in WWII 16:42  |  Rob AA 28/02/09
      121.   TRAUMATIC STRESS # 113 PTSD 17:04  |  Jeff Northridge 28/02/09
      122.   Durban II 17:07  |  The Teacher/Instruct 28/02/09
      123.   Who pays for this garbage anyway? 17:08  |  Mongo 28/02/09
      124.   Joan from Ireland 17:37  |  Jew 28/02/09
      125.   Swiss Dino 17:46  |  open your eyes 28/02/09
      126.   #87 Monitor....when Pals finally get their act together 17:57  |  Lynn 28/02/09
      127.   #117 Dutch.....there isn`t one government 18:02  |  Lynn 28/02/09
      128.   # 116 H, all I would ask for is a little bit of patience..... 18:35  |  Swiss (Dino) 28/02/09
      129.   #120 Rob AA..On The Swiss..Their Banks must be.. 20:26  |  Kathy 28/02/09
      130.   # 101 durban by "vida" Whishing the impossible.. 20:30  |  Kathy 28/02/09
      131.   to cowrdly d in Tampa 21:56  |  Hilda 28/02/09
      132.   to Maureen in Australia 21:59  |  Hilda 28/02/09
      133.   Dutch,isn`t it atrocious you would allow killing 22:35  |  Victor 28/02/09
      134.   Dino,will Switzerland`s financial support of terrorism 22:39  |  Meo 28/02/09
      135.   Lynn strays into unfamiliar territory #126 22:50  |  Roo 28/02/09
      136.   Amazed 23:14  |  Lola 28/02/09
      137.   Durban is a scam even if occupation is racist 23:24  |  Reuben A`aron 28/02/09
      138.   128Dini Patience, said the Cat to the Mouse, after I eat you we 23:37  |  Rob AA 28/02/09
      139.   To JEFF N. Read this link before your BESSER WISSER BS 23:59  |  TRAUMATIC STRESS 28/02/09
      140.   Swiss Dino 00:18  |  Nemesis 01/03/09
      141.   Lola @83..Briefly put:Can the arab countries handle their truths? 00:41  |  Whiskey 01/03/09
      142.   Lynn strays into unfamiliar territory #126 01:17  |  Roo 01/03/09
      143.   #128 Dino up usual tricks again..Okay chum.. 01:35  |  Whiskey 01/03/09
      144.   128Dini, Patience, said the Cat to the Mouse, after I eat you we 01:39  |  Rob 4th Try 01/03/09
      145.   Is Obama negative toward the "ME oil states?" 01:45  |  a wandering Jew 01/03/09
      146.   No 47---Joan 02:00  |  a wandering Jew 01/03/09
      147.   Yes #135 a wondering Jew..remember seeing your comment.. 02:31  |  Whiskey 01/03/09
      148.   Whiskey---N0. 137 03:32  |  a wandering Jew 01/03/09
      149.   The Israeli tail still wagging the American dog 05:58  |  peacelover 01/03/09
      150.   Obama is learning 07:23  |  MichaelF 01/03/09
      151.   #114 - Swiss Garry 07:28  |  MichaelF 01/03/09
      152.   #115 Jeff`s argument...... 08:54  |  Johnboy 01/03/09
      153.   No. 137 Whiskey= 2nd try 11:53  |  a wandering Jew 01/03/09
      154.   Israel will build its own grave!! 12:40  |  Talal Jaroudi 01/03/09
      155.   Re #113 PTSD and the Purple Heart 15:01  |  DJStahl 01/03/09
      156.   Aren`t both groups Semites? If they`re the same race, how... 15:20  |  DJStahl 01/03/09
      157.   Dunbar boycott 22:46  |  Suzy 06/03/09
      158.   Durban frenzy 23:06  |  Cindy Cohen 06/03/09
      159.   etc 05:42  |  etc 08/03/09
      160.   Always Israel 08:02  |  Paul 08/03/09
      161.   HYPOCRISY 10:09  |  Hasan 08/03/09
      162.   SA 12:40  |  Ronald 08/03/09
      163.   When will Israel end the occupation? 01:09  |  Surfer Dave 09/03/09
      164.   Boycott is not an effective answer 15:06  |  Michael 22/04/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Durban II conference
    Air strike in Sudan
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    08:16 Netanyahu's Mideast policy damaging EU ties
    01:18 Egypt invites Lieberman to visit, despite boycott threats
    08:12 Netanyahu to offer U.S. three-part plan for peace talks
    08:18 Amos Harel / IDF's idea of 'proportionate' is a matter of interpretation
    09:00 MK Cabel: Barak has brought Labor to its worst failure ever
    05:45 Yad Vashem fires employee who compared Holocaust to Nakba
    00:59 Actor Omar Sharif: I brought Sadat and Begin together
    22:31 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    09:28 Freddie Mac CFO found dead in apparent suicide
    08:22 Israeli companies continue to trade with firms tied to Iran
    04:04 PA refuses to recognize first Hamas-licensed bank in Gaza
    06:09 Thousands of runners to pack Tel Aviv streets for first marathon in 15 years
    05:03 Even kibbutz members losing jobs in economic downturn
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    The Meier on Rothschild Tower
    Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved