EU states: 'Unacceptable' Durban draft attacks Israel, condones anti-Semitism

[Fozzledick]

By The Associated Press

European Union countries Tuesday stepped up their opposition to Muslim attempts to shield Islam from criticism and attack Israel through a UN conference on racism.

EU members were unusually outspoken in appearances before the UN Human Rights Council, saying they were worried about preparations for a global racism conference to be held next month because attention was being diverted from the real problems of racial discrimination.

"I am deeply disturbed by the turn this event is taking," Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen said. "The thematic world conference is used by some to try to force their concept of defamation of religions and their focus on one regional conflict on all of us," Verhagen told the 47-member council.

References to Israel and protection of religion in the current draft conclusion being negotiated for the so-called Durban II conference are unacceptable, Verhagen said.

"We cannot accept any text, which would put religion above individuals, not condemn discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, condone anti-Semitism or single out Israel," he said. Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Italy voiced similar concerns.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1068352.html

[bemildred]

1. This is more like it. Let's have a real debate. nt

[cali]

2. debate what?

let's simply hope that the conference can be wrested back from those who are attempting to use it for their own means and don't give a frog's fart about discrimination and racism.

[bemildred]

4. The result of the conference?

Isn't that what the conference is for? To try to arrive at a joint statement on racism? That's what the High Commissioner said.

[bemildred]

11. Show up. Call them anti-semites to their faces.

Where is that sabra mystique? What are they going to do about it? Are they going to say nasty things? Why is Israel up for wars and bombing the crap out of Lebanon or Gaza or whomever, but comes an international conference on racism and all of a sudden they wilt. Where's the chutzpah? Why is the USA frightened of getting in an argument about racism? Bah. No guts unless they have the F-16s and tanks and gunships to make people shut up.

[cali]

12. wow. you really are clueless.

this is about far more than Israel or anti-semitism, it's about an agenda that equates religious criticism with human rights abuse. It's about a refusal to consider the oppression of women and gays and lesbians. And despite your fixation on Israel as the fount of all evil, dear, it's hardly the only state that perpetrates oppression and abuse.

bah, more nonsense from those that live in an Irael-centric universe.

[bemildred]

14. Why can these people with unacceptable ideas not be challenged?

Why must we abandon the field to them? If their ideas are so nasty, why walk away? Are we all sparrowfarts that cannot speak up? Why do you want to give up?

[shira]

13. this crap is par for the course in the UNGA everday....how up to the task is the US, EU, or Israel

in fighting the same crap on a daily basis?

So why should they waste their time with the same clowns at this upcoming joke of a conference that's even more Israel-centric, to the point of ignoring real racism worldwide? I'll bet you dollars to donuts that the millions enslaved currently in Africa aren't even on the agenda.

[bemildred]

15. Fight the good fight. Never give up.

If not today, then tomorrow the truth will win out. I never thought you were a quitter.

[LeftishBrit]

3. I just think...

this conference looks like being a bit of a sham. And I don't think the EU/ America/ Canada/etc. are really going to have much influence on it. Nor are the organizers going to influence anyone whose mind wasn't made up already - so, while unpleasant, I don't think the conference will do actual harm. But it will be a likely waste of time and money - and both time and money are at a premium for all sorts of problems where a difference COULD be made. So I'd be quite glad if the UK just didn't waste its time and money on this - and this indeed looks likely.

[bemildred]

5. Eh, you want to waste real money, you need a war. nt

[LeftishBrit]

10. I will certainly echo THAT one with some feeling!

[Vegasaurus]

6. Lay Muslim and Israeli actions side by side

racism, sexism, homophobia, rampant anti-semitism, few civil or human rights on the Arab/Muslim side.

An open democratic country, with religious freedom for all, which has offered extensive technical and medical advances that help the whole world on the Israeli side.

It is clear who are the bigots and racists and it isn't the Israelis.

[shira]

8. nah, Israelis are much worse in every respect

:sarcasm:

[cali]

9. It's crystal fucking clear that there are bigots and racists on both sides.

Or do you actually think Avidor Lieberman is a paragon of tolerance and shining light for equality?

[aranthus]

16. It's a question of quantity and quality.

Of course there are bigots and racists on both sides. You'd have to be blind to not see that the rise of Lieberman represented a disturbing trend in Israel. However, in perspective, Israel is comparatively less racist and bigoted a society than many others in the Middle East.

[azurnoir]

7. The EU is disturbed ooooo

well what do they or anyone else for that matter expect when any counter balancing influence has withdrawn