Critics say U.S. honor for Irish leader spurs hate

The controversial honor that U.S. President Barack Obama bestowed yesterday on former Irish leader Mary Robinson, a fierce critic of Israel, elicited strongly-worded condemnations from European Jewish institutions, with the European Jewish Congress saying the move encouraged hate.

"Today's honor will provide additional fodder for those who choose to hate," said Dr. Moshe Kantor, president of the EJC, of Obama's decision to award Robinson, a former President of Ireland, the American Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Kantor cited Robinson's role in the United Nations' World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa in 2001, over which she presided as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"The blatantly anti-Semitic and anti-Israel" Durban conference took place "during Robinson's shameful tenure" and "during her watch," said Kantor, who heads the umbrella group for Europe's major Jewish bodies.

In 2001, Robinson - who is not Jewish - criticized the anti-Semitic rhetoric at Durban, and even declared "I am a Jew" at a dinner for delegates from nongovernmental organizations.

But Kantor nonetheless said that "Robinson does not meet the same standards as other world leaders who have been honored with the Presidential Medal."

Is "providing platforms for anti-Semitism and Holocaust deniers" Washington's "new standard of human rights?" he demanded.

Last week, Robinson accused Jewish compatriots who opposed her receiving the award of "bullying" people who support Palestinians.

Jonathan Hoffman, who serves as co-vice chair of Britain and Ireland's Zionist Federation, responded to Haaretz that "Robinson's paranoid delusions about Jews are her problem."

Tom Carew, chair of the Ireland-Israel Friendship League, told Haaretz that honoring Robinson with the medal gave credence to the "highly anti-Semitic" Durban conference.

"Robinson, so critical herself, seems to think she's beyond criticism," he added.