Antisemitism Courtesy of UN "Human Rights" Council: Israel's "Ethnic Cleansing" of Hebron

The UN Secretariat in Geneva is now permitting antisemitic material to be distributed on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council, on UN premises, and at UN-advertised events.

Such material, for instance, is distributed at what are called "informal meetings" that are held during the Human Rights Council sessions. UN rooms are allotted by UN staff to UN-accredited NGOs upon request. Requests are approved if facilities are available and if they meet the UN's requirement that - in the words of the request form - "Accredited NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) may organize information meetings of relevance to the work of the Human Rights Council." The form also stipulates that: "Materials containing abusive or offensive language or images are not permitted on United Nations premises."

These meetings are perceived as fora to influence diplomats and UN staff. As the UN form explains: "NGO parallel events are public meetings and may be attended by NGOs, Permanent Mission Representatives, UN Staff and other persons with access to Palais des Nations."

The meetings are advertised by the UN itself during Council sessions by being posted daily on the UN website under the title "Bulletin of informal meetings."

On March 17, the Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Rights, held an informal meeting entitled "Israel's forcible transfer of Palestinians inside the occupied Palestinian territory". The Hebron Rehabilitation Committee distributed at the meeting a CD titled "Hebron's Old City: Ethnic Cleansing via Systematic Oppression"

To the UN, such material isn't abusive or offensive, and is relevant to a Human Rights Council allegedly dedicated to combating intolerance and terrorism.