UN General Assembly to condemn Islamophobia, antisemitism
According to the Israeli Mission to the UN, an early version of the resolution failed to mention antisemitism and referred only to Islamophobia.
By OMRI NAHMIASThe United Nations General Assembly votes to adopt a draft resolution to deplore the use of excessive force by Israeli troops against Palestinian civilians at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., June 13, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE SEGAR)
WASHINGTON – In the wake of the horrific attack at two New Zealand mosques, in which 50 people were murdered and 50 others injured, the UN General Assembly will vote tomorrow to condemn Islamophobia and antisemitism.A draft of the resolution proposed by Turkey declares that the member states are “deeply alarmed by all terrorist attacks against places of worship that are motivated by religious hatred, including antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.”According to the Israeli Mission to the UN, an early version of the resolution failed to mention antisemitism and referred only to Islamophobia. Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, coordinated a diplomatic front with other states that agreed not to support the resolution if it does not mention antisemitism. “Turkey,” said the Israeli mission, “was forced to accept the position of Ambassador Danon, changed the wording of the resolution and added the term antisemitism.”Another article of the resolution expresses “deep concern at the instances of intolerance and discrimination and acts of violence occurring in the world, including cases motivated by discrimination against persons belonging to religious minorities.”Danon commented that “Israel will not allow a resolution about hate crimes to come to a vote without a reference to antisemitism. In the face of a wave of antisemitism sweeping the world, we cannot remain silent but must stand as one solid front. Turkey did the proper thing by accepting Israel’s demand and thus paving the way for an appropriate resolution.”
