American Jewish Committee Praises President Bush, Secretary Powell For Walkout From Racism Conference

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 4 September 2001

The American Jewish Committee has praised President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell for ending U.S. participation in the UN World Conference against Racism.

AJC Executive Director David A. Harris issued the following statement:

"President Bush and Secretary Powell have shown courage in putting principle before political expediency. The Bush Administration valiantly tried to get the World Conference Against Racism back on track, both before the Durban meeting opened last week and during the past few days. The failure of the negotiations with other governments gathered in Durban left the U.S. government no choice but to recall the American delegation.

" Regretfully, Arab and Muslim nations, in their zeal to advance their battle against Israel, chose to launch a campaign that effectively hijacked the UN conference, and has taken it far from its original agenda and goals – to address the worldwide phenomenon of racism and to not be country specific.

"From the moment delegates arrived in Durban a week ago to attend the non-governmental forum through today, the outpouring not only of anti-Israel vitriol, but also of raw anti-Semitism, has been the centerpiece of this gathering. Instead of fostering tolerance, the Durban gathering has been a bastion of hate – specifically, hatred of Jews.

"Sadly, the world conference against racism will forever be remembered as the world conference that promoted racism."

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