BICOM

Israeli and international figures including Opposition leader Isaac Herzog, US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon joined a ceremony at the United Nations marking 40 years since the UN General Assembly adopted an infamous resolution defining Zionism as a form of racism. The resolution was repealed in 1991.

The commemoration marked the famous speech by Mr Herzog’s father, Chaim Herzog, then Israel’s Ambassador to the UN.

UN Secretary General Ban spoke at the event, commenting “Today, as we come together to commemorate the revocation of resolution 3379, our focus must be on the many manifestations of hatred and intolerance that blight the global landscape — resurgent anti-Semitism, wide-ranging anti-Muslim bigotry and attacks, discrimination against migrants and refugees.” Talking about Israel, he said “We must do all we can to bring a just resolution to the Middle East conflict, to protect the viability of the two-State solution and enable Israelis and Palestinians alike to live in security and peace.”

Mr Kerry also spoke, saying “The Zionist dream embraces the concept of Israel as a Jewish democracy, a beacon of light to all nations. That dream can only be upheld by two states living side by side in security. We all know from years of discussion and efforts: this is not an impossible dream. It is achievable.” He also condemned the 1975 resolution as “a global license to hate.”

Mr Kerry also met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday as Mr Netanyahu’s visit to Washington DC drew to a close. According to the State Department, they “discussed concrete ideas for stopping the violence, improving conditions on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, and moving the diplomatic process forward.”  The State Department also revealed that US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations, Frank Lowenstein, will be coming to the region to continue the discussions.