CONGRESSIONAL TASK FORCE AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM CONGRESSMEN RON KLEIN AND MIKE PENCE, CO-CHAIRS
February 27, 2009

Klein, Pence Applaud Decision of American Delegation to Pull Out of Anti-Semitic Conference
Washington, D.C. ­ Congressman Ron Klein (D-FL) and Mike Pence (R-IN), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism, today released the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's decision not to participate in the United Nations World Conference against Racism, also called the Durban Review Conference, currently scheduled to take place in Geneva in April. The inaugural World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa in 2001, disintegrated into an anti-Semitic display of hate and attempts to brand Israel as a racist state. The American delegation, led by the late Congressman Tom Lantos of California, walked out of the conference in protest. Today's statement from the Co-Chairs follows. "We applaud the Administration for their decision to pull out of Durban II. It is clear to us that the same anti-Semitic displays of hate witnessed in the first conference are likely to be showcased once again, with nations such as Libya and Iran leading the charge. Especially at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise, the United States simply cannot stand by as an important international conference on racism is hijacked by those who wish Israel harm. "We hope that the parties involved in planning the second World Conference Against Racism will abandon their agenda of hate and draft planning documents which adhere to the redlines set forth by the United States Congress. In the meantime, it is imperative that the United States not lend its good name to a futile effort." In September of 2008, Congress unanimously passed H.Res.136, which outlined the following "redline" requirements for U.S. participation in the second U.N. World Conference Against Racism: 1) No reaffirmation of Durban Declaration and Plan of Action (Durban I) language singling out Israel for criticism; 2) No language focusing on any single country or conflict; 3) The text must focus on fighting racism and not any political issues; 4) The text must be cleansed of language restricting accepted human rights such as free speech; 5) Language on reparations should not be restricted to formulation in Durban Declaration and Plan of Action. ###