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Durban Conference

Then-Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Chaim Herzog addresses the UN General Assembly on November 10, 1975, at the vote to label Zionism as 'racism,' at the United Nations, New York. (UN Photo/Michos Tzovaras)
December 12, 2025, 8:54 am
How a UN vote 50 years ago equating Zionism with racism forever altered discourse on Israel
In November 1975, the USSR championed a resolution aimed at easing criticism of its own antisemitism at Israel’s expense. It was repealed in 1991, but experts say its effect lives on
By Ed Weinberg
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at a high-level meeting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration during the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, on September 22, 2021. (John Angelillo/Pool Photo via AP)
September 23, 2021, 10:27 am
UN commemorates controversial Durban summit with no apparent mention of Israel
As dozens of counties join Israel-led boycott of event, United Nations pledges to up efforts to combat racism around the world, while steering clear of Israeli-Palestinian conflict
By AP and ToI Staff
South Africa's President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a prerecorded address to a high-level meeting to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration during the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York, on September 22, 2021. (Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP)
September 22, 2021, 6:41 pm
34 countries shun UN’s commemoration of controversial Durban Conference
Israel leads boycott of event marking 20 years since summit on racism, which Foreign Ministry calls the ‘worst international manifestation of antisemitism since WWII’
By ToI Staff and AP
The seats reserved for Israel's delegation sit empty at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 21, 2021 in New York (EDUARDO MUNOZ / POOL / AFP)
September 22, 2021, 9:24 am
UN set to commemorate controversial Durban conference, with 31 states boycotting
Israeli envoy has hailed record number of countries set to shun Wednesday’s marking of 20th anniversary of anti-racism conference, after past antisemitism
By ToI Staff and AP
Illustrative: People gather at the General Assembly, prior to a vote, on December 21, 2017, at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
September 20, 2021, 8:47 am
At Israel’s prodding, record 31 nations to boycott Durban conference anniversary
Envoy says dozens of countries will shun Wednesday’s anti-racism conference at UN after past antisemitism; Bennett to deliver debut address at General Assembly next week
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, center, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, speaks in front of civic and faith leaders outside City Hall, May 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
August 14, 2021, 6:45 am
Wiesenthal Center urges UN to nix Durban anti-racism meet over past antisemitism
Rabbi Abraham Cooper tells Antonio Guterres it’s time for the world body ‘to finally bury Durban, not celebrate it’
By ToI Staff and AFP
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a farewell ceremony for the French armed forces chief of staff, Gen. Francois Lecointre, at the Invalides monument in Paris, on July 21, 2021. (Daniel Cole/AP)
August 13, 2021, 4:16 pm
France to boycott UN anti-racism conference, citing previous antisemitism
Paris joins Israel, UK, US and others in shunning latest ‘Durban’ summit set to take place in September
By AFP and ToI Staff
Illustrative: In this photo provided by the United Nations, the pre-recorded message of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, is played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday Sept. 23, 2020, at U.N. headquarters in New York. (Eskinder Debebe/United Nations via AP)
August 3, 2021, 11:56 pm
UN creates permanent body to address challenges of racism
Move comes ahead of 20th anniversary of the controversial September 2001 Durban conference, which saw Israel and US walk out over attempts to liken Zionism to racism
By Edith M. Lederer
Illustrative: United States ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft speaks during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, February 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
January 1, 2021, 12:20 am
2 to 167: Just Israel, US reject UN budget, over alleged bias against Jerusalem
Two allies object specifically to funding 20th-anniversary event for 2001 Durban conference, where motion equated Zionism with racism; $3.2 billion budget endorsed by 167 nations
By ToI Staff and AFP
Benjamin Pogrund, center, next to Nelson Mandela (courtesy Benjamin Pogrund)
June 5, 2020, 6:47 am
Annexation will mean apartheid, warns Mandela ally who always fought comparison
Cape Town-born Benjamin Pogrund, an early confidant of Mandela, wrote a book arguing ‘A’ word doesn’t apply to Israel. Now he fears state will become ‘mirror of what apartheid was’
By Raphael Ahren
Benjamin Pogrund, center, next to Nelson Mandela (courtesy Benjamin Pogrund)
December 30, 2014, 6:55 am
Is Israel an apartheid state? Answers from someone who’d know
In South Africa, Benjamin Pogrund was jailed for opposing the regime. Now, in Israel, he abhors the occupation but insists there’s no comparison
By Raphael Ahren
Gerald M. Steinberg
November 15, 2012, 4:43 pm
Gerald M. Steinberg
NGO hypocrisy in Gaza
On ignoring human rights when the humans are Israelis
Geri Palast
September 12, 2012, 6:59 pm
Geri Palast
A High Holiday challenge
Let us foster an engaged American Jewish community that strengthens support for Israel, as well as deep empathy for all of those who suffer and wish for peace
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