Anti-zionist Move Blocked

Israeli delegates at the UN said today that the Arabs suffered a “great defeat” yesterday when Black African delegates blocked a move by the Arabs to include statements equating Zionism with racism in two resolutions adopted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The move by the African states indicated a widening rift between them and the Arabs.

The two resolutions, however, do contain anti-Zionist statements by implication. One endorsed all UN decisions “bearing on racism, racial discrimination, apartheid, decolonialization and self-determination” which in effect includes last year’s General Assembly resolution equating Zionism with racism.

This is also true of the second resolution which, in approving a request from Chana for funds for a conference on racism, said the meeting would take steps to secure the “full and universal implementation of United Nations decisions and resolutions on racism.”

Algeria wanted to strengthen, the connection between anti-Zionism and the two resolutions. But it was opposed at a private meeting by African nations who feared the anti-Zionist move would hamper efforts aimed at southern Africa, according to sources.

The two resolutions were adopted by a 40-1 vote with Canada casting the lone negative ballot. The U.S. did not participate and eight West European countries in the 54-member body abstained.

Canadian Ambassador Saul Rae said his country opposed racial discrimination and particularly the “iniquitous and demeaning system of apartheid.” But, he said, that since Canada was committed to the original aim of the Decade Against Racism it “cannot and will not accept any attempts to forge a link between racism and Zionism.” Syria led a move in the ECOSOC debate to link Israel and Zionism in the resolutions aimed at South Africa and Rhodesia.