Irish reject Israeli inclusion of anti-Semitism on UN resolution

The resolution, on the subject of religious intolerance, is expected to come to a vote some time this week. Ireland traditionally proposes such a resolution over the years for ratification by the Third World Conference on Racism. However, with the outbreak of anti-Jewish sentiment in European countries, Israel last week asked Ireland to add an element to the resolution condemning anti-Semitism.

In recent behind-the-scenes talks at the UN headquarters in New York between senior members of the Israeli and Irish delegations, the Irish diplomats refused categorically to add a condemnation of anti-Semitism to the proposed resolution. They justified their refusal by saying that if they were to agree to an amended version of the resolution, they would expose themselves to demands from other religious groups, each of which would seek changes that jive with their own interests.

After the suicide bombings in Istanbul on Saturday, the Israeli delegation renewed its efforts to add a mention of anti-Semitism to the resolution. In addition to ongoing negotiations with the Irish delegation over the wording of the resolution, the Israelis are said to be promoting the revised text of the resolution in European capitals. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, now visiting Brussels, will be asking his European counterparts to help convince Ireland to agree to the Israeli initiative. Israel would like to add wording to the resolution that states that the UN recognizes with deep concern the sharp rise in religious intolerance against many religious communities, in various parts of the world, which have their origin in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

"We have explained to the Irish that Israel views itself as the representative of the Jewish people," deputy Israeli head of mission Ambassador Arieh Mekel told Haaretz Monday, "and that with outbreaks of anti-Semitism on the rise, it is inconceivable that the UN will pass a resolution on the subject of religious intolerance without mentioning the evil of anti-Semitism, which is an expression of religious intolerance."



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