Anti-Semitism Pervades U.N. Even As Israel Chairs Committee (Rep. Alcee Hastings)

On June 19, 2007, for the first time ever in history, a representative of the State of Israel was chosen to chair a United Nations Committee.  Mr. Ron Adam, the former director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s U.N. Political Affairs Department was chosen to chair the Committee on Program and Coordination (CPC).  This 33 U.N. member body provides an important role to the functioning of the U.N., approving the work plan for all United Nations agencies and bodies.

Since it first joined the United Nations in 1949, the democratic State of Israel has been considered a second class nation at the United Nations, unfairly subjected to unjustified one-sided attacks from other nations.

To this day, Israel is still denied full representation within the United Nations, and its constituent agencies and bodies.  Meanwhile, other rogue and repressive regimes in violation of United Nations human rights principles are afforded full rights and privileges.

The United Nations should not and can not, continue to be a vehicle for unilateral attacks against Israel.  Such dealings truly undermine the United Nations’ credibility, integrity, and effectiveness.

Shamefully, anti-Semitic rhetoric and sentiment within the United Nations remains pervasive.  Such statements are of grave concern to the United States and other responsible nations.

I want to commend both past and present United Nations leaders for publicly recognizing and speaking out against the existence of blatant biases and injustices within the United Nations walls.

Despite the targeted discrimination and unwarranted hate it faces within this international forum, Israel has consistently played an active role within the United Nations.

I am hopeful that Mr. Adam’s appointment to chair the CPC will help normalize Israel’s bilateral and multilateral relations.

I am also hopeful that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will work to end the unfair vilification of Israel at the United Nations and to use his good offices to support Israel’s bid to join the Asian regional grouping.

Finally, I am hopeful that Israel will be granted membership on the Security Council for 2019 and gain full participation rights in the United Nations.