For Immediate Release February 27, 2009

Contact: Josh Block jblock@aipac.org (202) 997-4614 mobile

AIPAC APPLAUDS OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOR BOYCOTTING DURBAN II
Washington, D.C. -- The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) strongly applauds the Obama Administration's decision to boycott the Durban II conference. The event, which has again proven to be a celebration of racism and vile anti-Semitic activity, is further evidence of the U.N.'s inability to demonstrate any semblance of fairness or objectivity on these issues when it comes to the Jewish State. President Obama's decision not to send U.S. representation to the April event is the right thing to do and underscores America's unstinting commitment to combating intolerance and racism in all its forms and in all settings. We commend the President, Secretary Clinton and U.N. Ambassador Rice for this principled decision.
### Consistently ranked as the most influential foreign policy lobbying organization on Capitol Hill, AIPAC is a bi-partisan American membership organization that seeks to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel. For more than 50 years, AIPAC has been working with Congress to build a strong, vibrant relationship between the United States and Israel. Its more than 100,000 activists throughout the United States work to improve and strengthen that relationship by supporting U.S.-Israel military, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation. Please visit our Web site at www.aipac.org.