Transcript [00:01] Thank you, Mr. President. The World [00:03] Jewish Congress reiterates its [00:05] lockstanding opposition regarding the [00:07] continued existence of item 7. No other [00:10] member state than Israel is the subject [00:12] of a dedicated standing agenda item. [00:15] This exceptional treatment undermines [00:17] the principles of universality, [00:19] impartiality, and equal treatment that [00:22] should guide the work of this council. [00:25] We remain concerned that the mandate [00:27] relating to the database of business [00:29] enterprises has become a divisive [00:31] mechanism that does little to advance [00:33] dialogue, peace, or the joint of human [00:36] rights by either Israelis or [00:38] Palestinians. [00:39] Rather than fostering cooperation, it [00:42] deepens polarization, discourages [00:44] economic engagement that can contribute [00:46] to stability and coexistence, and tears [00:49] both sides further apart. [00:52] We're particularly concerned about the [00:53] potential impact on both Israeli and [00:55] Palestinian workers and communities who [00:58] benefit from economic cooperation and [01:00] shared commercial activity. The World [01:02] Jewish Congress therefore calls on this [01:04] council to uphold the principles of [01:06] fairness and non selectivity and to [01:08] immediately seize this database as well [01:11] as all other discriminatory measures [01:13] including this item which casts a shadow [01:16] on the reputation of the United Nations [01:18] as a whole. I thank you Mr. President.
WJC’s Representative in Geneva and Director of Diplomacy, Leon Saltiel, delivered a statement on the anti-Israel agenda Item 7, calling on the Council to uphold its mandate of fairness and impartiality.
