Hypocrisy alive and well at the UN

Samuel Paradisgarten
December 14, 2005
The Toronto Star
Original Source: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1134473177556&call_pageid=968256290204


The UN is in session again and a number of resolutions have been on the table. An important one dealt with human rights abuses in Darfur. But, thanks to Sudan's many allies, this resolution was expected to be defeated and removed from the agenda. 
On the table were also 10 resolutions condemning Israel for human rights abuses. All of them were expected to be passed by the General Assembly. 
Welcome to a typical year at the United Nations. 
The Organization of the Islamic Conference — 56 Islamic states, almost 30 per cent of the UN membership — ensures that a mountain of resolutions and resources are devoted every year to demonizing Israel. 
Take, for example, the UN Commission on Human Rights. In the past two years, Israel has had 101 human rights resolutions passed against it. 
Of course, there are other human rights violators on the list. Let's see: Iran is a well-known human rights violator. It has had two resolutions passed against it. Syria is another. Well, it merited one resolution. Saudi Arabia is another offender, known for amputations, stonings, intolerance toward other religions, political repression, discrimination and torture. However, all this doesn't seem to bother the rights commission too much — Saudi Arabia hasn't merited any resolutions. 
Israel has virtually become the focus of the UN. The General Assembly rarely calls emergency sessions. Rwanda didn't merit one, nor did Darfur, nor did the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, or the horrors of Bosnia. 
Yet in 2003, the UN called three emergency sessions to condemn Israel. In addition, in the same year, the General Assembly passed 18 resolutions that singled out Israel for criticism. The entire rest of mankind — 190 countries, about 6 billion people — drew only four resolutions. 
Last year was similar. The assembly, once again, looked at abuses around the globe. If you recall, both Darfur and Zimbabwe were in the news a lot. Nevertheless, proposed resolutions relating to Sudan/Darfur and Zimbabwe couldn't make it; they were defeated. 
However, simultaneously, UN delegates, without too much trouble, were able to adopt nine resolutions condemning Israel. 
Israel's policies are, of course, fair game for legitimate criticism; but the UN seems to be highly selective with its outrage. 
You would think, however, that when it comes to children, the situation changes, and the UN would agree that the death of a child — any child — is a tragedy. Evidently not. 
A resolution was adopted in November 2003, calling for the protection of Palestinian children from Israeli aggression. 
Israel, too, sought a resolution of its own, calling for the protection of Israeli children from terrorism. The Israeli resolution was not defeated; it could not even gain enough support from the assembly to come to a vote. 
What takes place in the UN, with regard to Israel, more closely resembles a mugging than either a political debate or an effort at problem-solving, declared former U.S. ambassador to the UN, Jeanne Kirkpatrick. 
Ah yes, you say, all this hatred is in response to the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Actually, no. 
The West Bank was captured in 1967. The Palestinian charter, specifically calling for Israel's destruction, was adopted in 1964. Three times the Arab armies united to annihilate Israel, prior to Israel taking occupation of the West Bank. Then, after losing the wars, the Arab league issued its three Nos: no to recognition of Israel, no to negotiation with Israel, no to peace with Israel. 
How does Canada vote in all this? Canada does not stand up to the Organization of Islamic Conference. Using Kirkpatrick's words, Canada is with the muggers. 
It is hard to believe that a country that prides itself on its moral leadership in the world, fails so dismally in this regard. Our Prime Minister has repeatedly reiterated that Canada would no longer go along with this charade, but each time Canada falls back into its old voting pattern. It usually votes against Israel or, when it can no longer stand the smell, it abstains. This happened again recently. 
The UN drive to destroy Israel has debased the body, sullied its charter, and perverted the meaning of human rights. Canada is part of the problem; it is high time we became part of the solution. 

Samuel Paradisgarten is a member of the Star's community editorial board.