Boycott movement is ‘modern anti-Semitism’ says Israel’s UN envoy
Danny Dannon told over 1,500 people at the UN General Assembly that the movement to boycott Israel is anti-Semitic
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
![In June 2016, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder addressing the conference at the United Nations in New York [photo credit: Shahar Azran]](https://static.jewishnews.co.uk/jewishnews/uploads/2016/06/United-Nations-Danon.jpg "In June 2016, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder addressing the conference at the United Nations in New York [photo credit: Shahar Azran]")
The modern boycott movement represents “modern anti-Semitism” according to Israel’s envoy to the UN, speaking at an anti-BDS conference.
More than 1,500 students diplomats and representatives gathered at the United Nations to focus on combating the international boycott movement against Israel.
Addressing the New York meeting, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon called for people to “unite to reveal its true face and put an end to its ideology of hatred and lies”, committing to fight BDS “on campuses, in the courts and in the halls of the UN.”
The conference saw Jewish leaders and representatives from all over the world lead rally against delegitimisation of Israel, including Ronald S. Lauder the President of the World Jewish Congress, who helped organise the conference alongside the Israeli Mission to the UN.
Lauder called to expose the movement “through every means possible”, pledging that his organisation “will commit all of our resources, and all of our abilities, to help fight BDS.”
From the UK, Fathom’s Alan Johnson said “BDS presents an extremely simplistic view of the world,” calling for the need to “reframe BDS as bad for Palestinians, and bad for peace.
“We need to move into a place where we talk about the complexity of the conflict, the tragedy of the conflict.”
Other speakers included Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of the Israeli SodaStream, Palestinian Shin Bet operative Mosab Yousef and pro-Israel human rights activist Bassam Eid.
American Jewish reggae star Matisyahu also performed ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘One Day’ at the UN General Assembly.
The conference was held in coordination with Keren HaYesod, the American Center for Law and Justice, the Anti-Defamation League, the Zionist Organization of America, Israel Bonds, StandWithUs, B’nai B’rith International, Hillel, CAMERA, and other organizations.
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