AJCongress Decries Improper Use of United Nations Funds For Anti-Israel Campaign in Gaza

August 15, 2005
American Jewish Congress
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=51724 http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=51724 
To: National and International desks 
NEW YORK, Aug. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The American Jewish Congress today sent a letter to Mr. Kemal Dervis, the new Administrator of the United Nations Development Program, urging the UNDP to focus on development and not propaganda in Gaza. The letter followed an allegation made in a New York Times story that appeared today. The article by James Bennet, which appeared in a Page A1 piece about the Gaza withdrawal, reports on a banner being flown in Gaza by the Palestinian Authority reading: Gaza today, the West Bank and Jerusalem Tomorrow. The article goes on to say that a tag line said the banner was paid for by the United Nations Development Program (p. A8). 
The letter, signed by Jack Rosen, AJCongress Chairman, Paul S. Miller, AJCongress President and Vivien K. Weissman, AJCongress UN Committee Chair, reads as follows:
The Palestinian Authority is certainly entitled to express its political sentiments. The United Nations, however, has no business paying the costs of this propaganda, especially when it is aimed at a member state of the United Nations. 
Secretary General Annan has repeatedly sought to assure Israel and its supporters that, despite a dismal record in the past, the United Nations can now be an even-handed player in the Middle East peace process. We have commended his pledge and we anticipate the positive changes he advocates. Apparently, however, if the information in the Times' article is correct, Secretary Annan's assurances have not been accepted by the United Nations Development Program. As its new administrator, we ask that you take prompt and public steps to ensure the UNDP remains focused on development, not propaganda.
The American Jewish Congress is a membership association of Jewish Americans, organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad, through public policy advocacy, in the courts, Congress, the executive branch and state and local governments. It also works overseas with others who are similarly engaged.