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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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Arthur M. Horwitz
Publisher / Executive Editor
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A Biased United
Nations Vote
Cannot Hasten Peace
F. Kevin Browett
Chief Operating Officer
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T
he Jewish Community Relations
Council/AJC strongly opposes the
United Nations Security Council
resolution unanimously passed last month
regarding Israel’s settlement policy and is
deeply disappointed that the United States
Palestinian Authority? As a result, the resolu-
delegation did not use its veto to block it.
tion blocks rather than promotes progress
This U.S. abstention was an abandonment toward peace.
of the Obama administration’s previously
Through this resolution, the U.N. contin-
consistent diplomatic support and commit-
ues its long-standing, one-sided approach
ment to Israel. The final act of the adminis-
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, clearly
tration appears to be a significant undermin- expressing bias toward Israel. The U.N.
ing of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
continues to pass one-sided resolutions that
The resolution is one-sided, almost solely
single out and condemn the Jewish State.
singling out Israel for condemnation, and
Additionally, an overwhelmingly powerful
erroneously lays the blame for the present
bloc led by the Arab nations promotes a nar-
impasse in the peace process on
row agenda meant to isolate Israel
Israeli settlements rather than on
that has met little resistance. Some
Palestinian refusal to come to the
of those countries hold seats on the
negotiating table.
U.N. Human Rights Council or even
Even more disturbing is that this
the Security Council.
resolution declares opposition to
Despite being the only democ-
building in east Jerusalem, equating
racy in the Middle East, Israel
it with Israeli construction any-
routinely faces more criticism
where in the West Bank, and denies
and condemnation at the United
Israel’s claims in the eastern part of Richard Krugel Nations than any other country,
the city including the Western Wall
including those that systematically
and the Jewish Quarter, and neigh-
kill their citizens or deny them the
borhoods containing tens of thousands of
most basic of human rights. The U.N. does
Jewish residents.
little to stop mass civilian casualties in Syria
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of
and Iraq, and looks away at the slide toward
this misguided resolution is that it has been
genocide in southern Sudan. Instead, it
interpreted as a Palestinian diplomatic vic-
chooses to focus almost exclusively in craft-
tory, making that party even less likely to
ing biased resolutions against Israel.
resume direct negotiations with Israel.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon,
This action leads to several troubling ques- stepping down this week, has admitted to the
tions. Where is the call for direct negotia-
bias. Speaking to the U.N. Security Council,
tions between the parties? Why haven’t the
he expressed his opinion that the U.N. has
Arab states pushed the Palestinians back to
had a “disproportionate focus on Israel” that
the table? Where is the development of a civil has “foiled the ability of the U.N. to fulfill its
society and democratic institutions in the
role effectively.”
The Secretary-General explained that
“decades of political maneuvering have creat-
ed a disproportionate number of resolutions,
reports and committees against Israel.” It’s
refreshing to hear such an honest perspective
but far too little, too late as he leaves the post.
Anti-Israel bias is not restricted to the
GA and Security Council. The United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) passed a resolu-
tion in October 2016 that includes language
ignoring Jewish ties to many holy sites
throughout Israel including the Temple
Mount and the Tomb of the Patriarchs. The
resolution passed overwhelmingly.
The Temple Mount, or al-Aqsa Mosque,
the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in
Islam, was referred to in the resolution solely
by its Muslim/Arabic names (al-Aqsa or al-
Haram al-Sharif) and not once by the site’s
Jewish/Israeli name. Thirty lawmakers from
the United States, Czechoslovakia, Brazil,
and others expressed their disapproval of the
resolution.
JCRC/AJC continues to support a two-state
solution and a peaceful resolution reached
through direct negotiations between the two
parties. Unfortunately, anti-Israel actions
perpetrated at the U.N., like the recent reso-
lution at the U.N. Security Council, signifi-
cantly undermine earnest efforts toward a
negotiated settlement.
*
Dr. Richard Krugel is president of the Jewish Community
Relations Council/AJC. He resides in Bloomfield Hills.
continued from page 5
6 January 5 • 2017
Passage of the new bill will be in jeopardy
without strong citizen support. There is a
serious concern that the new bill will be
released from committee with riders and/or
objectionable language attached, which will
hinder, if not prevent, its passage.
This is a serious issue that has a profound
impact on the lives of many cancer patients.
A diagnosis of cancer is, at the very least,
terrifying. Even more devastating can be the
knowledge that the possible key to your sur-
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commentary
instead of medical treatment, the out-of-
pocket costs are typically several thousand
dollars a month. This frequently presents an
insurmountable financial burden on many
people; a choice between survival and bank-
ruptcy.
Since the bill died in committee with the
close of the 2016 Congressional session, Sen.
Hansen has promised to reintroduce it when
the legislature reconvenes; it is expected to
pass in the Senate again.
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Alan Muskovitz, David Sachs, Robin Schwartz,
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vival is not a medical decision but an oner-
ous financial one.
I am greatly saddened to contemplate
residing in a state where living or dying is a
choice reserved for the elite.
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*
Sharon Rocklin is a wife, mother, grandmother, ovarian
cancer survivor and the chair of the Life Enhancement
Series for the Cancer Thrivers Network for Jewish Women,
a component of the wellness program of Jewish Family
Service.
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