Source: – HYPERLINK http://www.e-guana.net/organizations.php3?action=printContentItem&orgid=54&typeID=78&itemID=23152&User_Session=1f946b860c3c5a5901ee4e363a9c9ca2 http://www.e-guana.net/organizations.php3?action=printContentItem&orgid=54&typeID=78&itemID=23152&User_Session=1f946b860c3c5a5901ee4e363a9c9ca2
Date: March 3, 2009

JCPA Welcomes White House Decision to Withdraw from Durban II - Obama Administration's Clear Standards, Timely Follow-Up Praised
NEW YORK - A leading Jewish advocacy group welcomes the Obama Administration's decision that the United States will withdraw from the second United Nations World Conference Against Racism, due to take place in Geneva in April. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) applauds the White House for outlining a clear set of standards for American participation in or withdrawal from the conference, and following up on those standards in a timely manner. 

This strong show of leadership from the Administration sends the world a firm message that the United States will not be party to a conference like the one held eight years ago in Durban, South Africa, when the U.S. was forced to walk out because of outrageous anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric. 

Now that the U.S. has made this announcement, JCPA hopes that we will learn about similar decisions in the coming days from European nations and other countries who wish to also take a stand on this issue. 

Rabbi Steve Gutow, president of JCPA, released the following statement in response to the White House decision: 

It is a tremendous shame that the global forums we set up to discuss important issues are so overly-politicized that they have left the U.S. with no option, but to opt out. Unfortunately it seems clear that this conference will turn into Durban II-an exercise in racism against Jews, rather than an honest attempt to address global racism. 

We support the clear process the Obama Administration followed in order to reach this decision.