Senate Adopts Resolution Condemning UN Zionism Equals Racism Resolution

The Senate yesterday adopted by unanimous voice vote a resolution “condemning” the infamous 1975 United Nations General Assembly resolution equating Zionism with racism. The Senate said the UN resolution “is itself clearly a form of bigotry.”

The Senate action was initiated by Sens. Alfonse D’Amato (R. NY) and Richard Lugar (R. Ind.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, along with support from 14 other Senators. Similar action is expected shortly in the House.

The Senate resolution “soundly denounces and condemns any linkage between Zionism and racism,” and said it considers the UN resolution “to be a permanent smear upon the reputation of the United Nations and to be totally inconsistent with the organization’s declared purpose and principles.” The resolution said the Senate “formally repudiates” the UN resolution and calls upon all governments to do the same.

Bernice Tannenbaum, chairperson of the World Zionist Organization-American Section, hailed the Senate action and said a worldwide campaign undertaken last year “against this nefarious resolution is achieving major results.”

The campaign was launched at the initiative of Uzi Narkis, head of the WZO-Jewish Agency information department, in November, 1984 during a meeting at the home of Israeli President Chaim Herzog. Subsequently, meetings were held in Buenos Aires, London, Paris, and Washington to heighten public awareness to the resolution.

The Washington meeting was held under the sponsorship of B’nai B’rith International, the World Jewish Congress, and the WZO-American Section. Tannenbaum urged the Reagan Administration “to take all appropriate actions necessary to erase this shameful resolution from the record of the United Nations.”