The United Nations released its final revisions to the outcome document for its conference against racism late Friday, but kept intact sections that the US said would cause it to boycott the meetings.

The document retained its reaffirmation of the text endorsed during the first World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa in 2001, which singled out Israel for criticism.

That 2001 meeting, which ended four days before 9/11, was dominated by quarrels over the Middle East and the legacy of slavery. Several delegates condemned Israel and anti-Israel demonstrations broke out at a parallel conference of non-governmental organizations.

The United States and Israel walked out midway through the Durban conference over a draft resolution that singled out Israel for criticism and likened Zionism to racism.

The US has joined Israel in objecting to the reference, as well as language declaring that “incitement to racial discrimination” is illegal, which America fears would limit free speech.The changes made Friday followed a similar draft that came out Wednesday which also failed to omit the problematic text.

“We still need to see more progress and we haven’t seen it yet,” US State Department spokesman Robert Wood told The Jerusalem Post before Friday’s version was released. The US has indicated it wouldn’t attend the conference, dubbed “Durban II,” unless the necessary changes to the text were made, though Wood announced no final decision on Friday.

After the new version came out, US State Department press officer Andy Laine said that the administration had nothing further to say on the new document for the time being.

The conference opens in Geneva on Monday. Israel, Canada and Italy have announced they will boycott the gathering, and the EU is weighing its participation. Among the high-ranking officials who will address the conference’s opening session on Monday – which coincidentally falls on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day – is Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Nobel Peace laureate Elie Wiesel is among the many prominent defenders of Israel who will be present.

Only around a half dozen non-governmental organizations are allowed to speak at the conference itself, said UN spokesman Damodaran. Some NGOs will take part in panel discussions and other events on the sidelines of the meeting, he added. The rest of them have set up a number of demonstrations and meetings outside the United Nations.

As with most intolerance these days, Durban II comes dressed in packaging that no reasonable person could object to. Who, on the surface, would not wish to fight racism and promote tolerance in the world? Yet in the increasingly surreal bubble of the United Nations, the contents of one particular package are notably whiffy.

As the conference in Geneva next week approaches, let us ask you a question – do you think you really need to be lectured on ‘Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance’ (not to mention unnecessary capitalistion), by the following countries:

• Iran? (bizarrely, Iran’s Prez & chief Jew-despiser, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will be there)
• Pakistan?
• Libya?
• Saudi Arabia?
• China? (the Tibetans must really be feeling the love now)
• Cuba?
• Sudan?
• Syria?

Make no mistake, this is going to be nothing less than a full-on anti-Semitic Israel-bashing fest, wrought by some of the worlds least tolerant countries – and worse still, it could have far-reaching and – let’s make sure we say this clearly – INTENDED consequences for freedom of speech and expression in those lands where it is actually valued.

As the main feature of this extraordinarily brazen piece of displacement activity, Israel will be used as the stooge, to divert attention away from the apalling Human Rights records and activities of the sponsoring countries and members of the UNHRC. Islamic states will also be pressing for a ban on ‘criticising  religion’ (we’ll leave you, dear readers, to ponder the reasons as to why that might be.)

From honourable intentions (and the good work still done in its technical and regulatory remit areas such as shipping and aviation – see ICAO and IMO etc.), the UN and, most particularly, the UNHRC, have become hateful, corrupt, anti-US, anti Israel and anti-developed country talking shops.

It needs urgently to be pared back to its useful and productive roots, or to be shut down completely. Where is John Bolton (video) when you need him?

Until he makes a much-needed return to the political forefront, we shall be relying on the brilliant Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch and scourge of the UNHRC (see him in action at the U.N. in this story’s video  and visit his website via our links section), to provide much-needed perspective and clarity.

[Main story: The Jerusalem Post]