AJC Ad Campaign Urges End to Unjust Treatment of Israel at UN Commission on Human Rights

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 16 April 2001

In a full-page ad the American Jewish Committee is urging an end to the blanket discriminatory treatment of Israel at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

The ad appears in The New York Times today, and in the International Herald Tribune tomorrow, a day before the Commission is slated to vote before it ends its annual six-week session in Geneva. The ad graphically illustrates how Israel is treated solely in one agenda item, while the rest of the 188 UN member states are assessed under a separate, single agenda item.

"Exclusive, obsessive censure of Israel didn't begin in this year's Commission on Human Rights session. It has been the norm for years," states the American Jewish Committee.

"It's one more example of the unjust treatment of Israel in the UN system, just like Israel's exclusion from any of the five regional groups in Geneva (and other UN centers) that prevents it from serving on the Commission on Human Rights and other key bodies."

The American Jewish Committee has spearheaded initiatives to achieve fair and just treatment for Israel within the UN system.

In addition, AJC Executive Director David A. Harris testified three times in recent weeks before the Commission on Human Rights, speaking on Israel, on human rights violations in Iran, and on the Taliban regime's treatment of women in Afghanistan. (Visit www.ajc.org to read all three testimonies.)

The full text of the ad, "Human Rights or Human Wrongs?" follows:

"Despite the United Nations Charter's laudable commitment to the 'sovereign equality' of all member states, Israel is treated very differently from the other 188 countries in the UN.

"A case in point is the 53-member UN Commission on Human Rights, now meeting in Geneva for its annual six-week session.

"Item 8 of the Commission's agenda deals solely and exclusively with Israel.

"Item 9, by contrast, deals with the 'question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world.'

"In other words, 'the world' is treated one way – while Israel is the only nation singled out for special review and condemnation.

"Exclusive, obsessive censure of Israel didn't begin in this year's Commission on Human Rights session. It has been the norm for years.

"It's one more example of the unjust treatment of Israel in the UN system, just like Israel's exclusion from any of the five regional groups in Geneva (and other UN centers) that prevents it from serving on the Commission on Human Rights and other key bodies.

"While such dubious human rights role models as Algeria, Cuba, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Syria are all serving on this year's Commission – indeed, Libya was elected vice-chairman – democratic Israel has no chance to serve on it, only to be judged by it.

"We urge those concerned with fair treatment for Israel and all who are committed to upholding the noble aims of the UN Charter, to speak out. It's long overdue for UN member states to start applying the principle of equality for all countries, Israel included."

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