Israel Matzav

United States demands Falk's resignation

The United States has joined the chorus demanding the resignation of UN Special Rapporteur to the Palestinians Territories Richard Falk, who published an anti-Semitic and anti-American cartoon on his blog last week. This is not the first time there has been controversy surrounding Falk, who is barred from entering Israel.

“I am deeply disturbed that once again UN Special Rapporteur Richard Falk has used his personal blog to publish abhorrent material,” [US envoy to the UN Joseph M. Torsella] said. “His shameful and outrageous behavior is an embarrassment to the United Nations. Someone who publishes such vicious images has no place in the UN system. Mr. Falk has yet again created a distasteful sideshow that distracts from the cause of human rights. We reiterate our call for him to step down immediately.”

But Falk continues to resist stepping down.

Meanwhile, UN Watch said Falk has adamantly refused to step down from his position despite repeated calls. UN Watch head Hillel Neuer said only UN rights chief Navi Pillay can remove Falk from office.

“The Geneva-centered UN human rights system reveres the high commissioner as the Catholic Church does the pope,” Neuer said. “If she reprimands Falk, the word will ripple throughout the system. He would be shamed within the diplomatic and human rights communities, and would eventually have to resign. I therefore trust that the US will register its protest not with the UN in abstract, but with Ms. Pillay’s office in particular.”

It's long past time for the US to stop lending credibility to the UN 'Human Rights Council.' What could go wrong?

Labels: anti-Semitic stereotypes, anti-Semitism, Richard Falk, United Nations Human Rights Council

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:45 AM