The day before the start to the Durban II conference (aka the let’s-bash-Israel party), a number of nations backed out, including Germany and Australia. This is welcome news, particularly as word quietly leaked out last week that President Obama and State Department officials were reportedly thinking of reneging on Obama’s previous decision not to join in on the "fun." As of April 19, the U.S.’s official decline of the invitation held strong, though Monday is still a day away. As of Sunday, other nations which had declined to attend included Holland, Canada, the Netherland, New Zealand, Israel and Italy.
The Durban Conference will take place from April 20 – 25, which also happens to fall during the week of Yom HaShoah, or the day of remembrance for those slain in the Holocaust. The symbolism of picking this particular week in which to hold the conference has not been lost on many. The day of remembrance also reminds us of why the state of Israel was created. By trying to get the world to forget about the Holocaust, those who hate Israel (and deny the Holocaust) hope to make the world forget the rationale behind a Jewish state (the one nation in the world created to provide an entirely save haven to those survivors of the wholesale attempted slaughter of an entire people) and attempt to slander and defame the nation of Israel. The people behind this are, shall we say, not the most savory, or historically knowledgeable/honest, people.
Durban II will begin today, purportedly to tackle issues of racism and prejudice. If only that was the true rationale behind the United Nations conference, then there would be no major bones to the United States’s participation. However, if history can be our guide, and Durban II is anything like its (shameful) predecessor, than the tiny nation of Israel wil once again become the awful enemy of human rights, peace, love, puppy dogs and rainbows, rather than the real abusers, such as tyrant-dominated countries and countries known more for thei horrendous track records with human rights, than for any goods and services. (Libya’s place on the Human Rights Council: anyone remember that gem?) Even off-his-rocker Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be attending, so to assume this meeting will be based on any form of reality, is to be terribly naive. Sadly, the only thing which can be expected from this conference are just more meaningless condemnations of Israel. The only racism to be discussed in this conference will be the rampant racism vollied against Israelis and Jews. Way to go, United Nations!
In an ironic twist, an Israeli Arab politician and chairman of the Balad party, MK Jamal Zahalka, will be attending the conference, according to the Jerusalem Post. Ironically, he has the freedom to attend a conference against his government, without suffering the loss of his job or physical harm, a privilege which the vast majority of those living under tryants do not enjoy. Do not expect Mr. Zahalka to stick up for any truly disenfranchised citizens of the world or to take a stand against anti-Semitism, sexism, rapes, forced marriages, terror or a wide variety of other topics which may actually create meaningful change.
While those under the regimes of Hugo Chavez, the Castro brothers, Kim Jong Il, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and other cruel leaders are starving and living unfairly harsh lives, the brass at the U.N. continue to ignore their plight, opting to do what is easy (and WRONG) rather than to get some, as they say, "cojones," and right the wrong. Though this is slightly off-topic, a great quote comes to mind, by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt:
"It is easier to curse the darkness than to light a candle."
It’s time the U.N. actually got off its haunches, and lit a guiding light. Other nations want to take a more upfront role in global affairs? They can start by man-ing up taking a serious approach to the *real* and documented beatings, "honor" killings, rapes, sanctioned infanticides, forced starvation, kidnapping, discrimination and sexism so rampant in the third world… and in some major nations.
Be sure to choose the right solicitor for the case.