AJC Addresses UN Commission on Human Rights

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 17 October 2000

American Jewish Committee Executive Director David A. Harris urged the UN Commission on Human Rights today to "confront the complex realities of the present situation" in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza (www.ajc.org).

"A one-sided discussion that ignores inconvenient truths will not help," said Mr. Harris. "A one-sided, politically-charged outcome can have grievous, truly counter-productive results on the ground, and therefore must be avoided."

Speaking before the Commission's special session on recent Israeli-Palestinian violence, Mr. Harris urged the Commission members "to see past the rhetoric, to channel our emotions, and to contribute constructively towards the protection of human rights."

The Commission has a "sacred duty to protect the human rights of all people," said Mr. Harris. "Human rights protection cannot be inconsistently applied, as some would seek in this case.

Mr. Harris pointed out several concerns the Commission should address, including:

- The desecration of Jewish religious sites, including Joseph's Tomb and the ancient synagogue in Jericho. "Religious freedom and access to religious sites must be ensured by the Commission," Mr. Harris said.

- Incitement to hatred by Palestinian Authority officials and PA-appointed officials. "We cannot remain silent when a member of a PA-appointed body, in a Friday sermon, exhorts Muslim worshippers to kill Jews," said Mr. Harris.

- Palestinian and other Arab calls to violence and holy war encouraged attacks on dozens of synagogues that have occurred in the last two weeks far from the Middle East.

- Violations of international law across the Lebanese–Israeli border, such as hostage taking of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah fighters who crossed into Israel. "The Commission must condemn this behavior and its sponsors in clear language," Mr. Harris said.

Mr. Harris observed that the Commission's special session "underlines the tragic consequences that result when the road of violence is chosen over the road of dialogue."

Reviewing the progress in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking over the past seven years, Mr. Harris said: "The very existence of the Palestinian Authority, its various ministries, and its jurisdiction over the lives of some 98% of the Palestinian people clearly shows that the path to peace lies through negotiations."

The American Jewish Committee has actively supported the peace process. AJC has reached out to a number of Arab countries represented at the Commission's special session, and has also sought to launch a new chapter in the relationship between the Islamic and Jewish religions.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org