viewpoints » S end letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com DETROIT JEWISH NEWS theJEWISHNEWS.com guest column Arthur M. Horwitz Publisher / Executive Editor ahorwitz@renmedia.us A Biased United Nations Vote Cannot Hasten Peace F. Kevin Browett Chief Operating Officer kbrowett@renmedia.us | Editorial Managing Editor: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@renmedia.us Story Development Editor: Keri Guten Cohen kcohen@thejewishnews.com Arts & Life Editor: Lynne Konstantin lkonstantin@renmedia.us Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us 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- | Advertising Sales Sales Director: Keith Farber kfarber@renmedia.us Account Executives : Kathryn Andros, Paul Biondi, Wendy Flusty, Annette Kizy, Paige Lustig Sales Manager Assistants : Andrea Gusho, Karen Marzolf | Business Offices Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner | Production By FARAGO & ASSOCIATES Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Amy Pollard, Kelly Kosek, Pam Sherevan, Michelle Sheridan, Susan Walker | Detroit Jewish News Chairman: Michael H. Steinhardt President/Publisher: Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Chief Operating Officer: F. 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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. Contributing Writers: Ruthan Brodsky, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Don Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Adam Finkel, Stacy Gittleman, Judy Greenwald, Ronelle Grier, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Allison Jacobs, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, David Sachs, Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein 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. Detroit Jewish News 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110 Southfi eld, MI 48034 ©copyright 2016 Detroit Jewish News * 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. To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfounadtion.org