Resolution on Durban III

Whereas the book of Psalms teaches, “Guard your tongue from evil, your lips from deceitful speech. Shun evil and do good, seek amity and pursue it.” (Psalms 34:14-15);

Whereas the Rabbinical Assembly is on record with previous resolutions applauding the United Nations for rescinding Zionism is Racism (1992) and calling upon ourselves to improve relations with other races and religions (1993);

Whereas the United Nations has scheduled the “Durban III Conference” in New York City for September 2011 to take place only days after America marks the tenth anniversary of 9/11;

Whereas the first Durban Conference in 2001 produced the Durban Declaration, which singly and exclusively charged Israel with racism and became a platform for anti-Semitic and anti-American demonstrations;

Whereas the second Durban Conference in 2009 was similarly a pretense for anti-Israel, anti-Semitic and anti-American expression;

Whereas alone among the nations, Canada declared before the second conference that it would not be party to that agenda, withheld its support and became the model for the subsequent withdrawal of other nations;

Whereas the third conference has a similarly objectionable agenda, causing Canada and Israel to announce that they will not participate; and

Whereas eighteen United States Senators petitioned the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, urging removal of the United States from among the participants.

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly condemn the United Nations General Assembly vote to convene a special meeting commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Durban conference on racism which discredited Israel;

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly commend those countries who voted against convening Durban III: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Netherlands, Palau, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the United States;

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly declare the Durban III gathering one that will undermine the fight against racism; and

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly urge the government of the United States, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to speak out against the pervasive racism that will ultimately be expressed at Durban III.

Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, March, 2011