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Richard Falk. 'Abhorrent material'
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Jewish groups urge UN investigator to quit

Richard Falk, UN special rapporteur for Palestinian territories, slammed over 'overtly anti-Semitic' cartoon published on his blog

The Obama Administration and several American Jewish groups have called for the resignation of UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, after he posted an “overtly anti-Semitic” cartoon on his blog.

 

The aforementioned cartoon depicts a dog clad in a yarmulke marked with a Star of David, and a body-warmer emblazoned with USA, urinating on Lady Justice whilst she obliviously holds its leash.

 

The cartoon was apparently in response to the International Criminal Court’s indictment of Muammar Gaddafi for crimes against humanity.

 

"I am deeply disturbed that once again UN Special Rapporteur Richard Falk has used his personal blog to publish abhorrent material. His shameful and outrageous behavior is an embarrassment to the United Nations. Someone who publishes such vicious images has no place in the UN system.

 

"His shameful and outrageous behavior is an embarrassment to the United Nations. Someone who publishes such vicious images has no place in the UN system. We reiterate our call for him to step down,” stated Joseph Torsella, the US representative for management and reform to the United Nations.

 

'Message of hatred'

The Anti-Defamation League called on the UN top human rights official to publicly condemn Falk.

 

“This cartoon is blatantly anti-Semitic and conveys the message that Jews and Americans care little about what is just and moral,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director. “While Mr. Falk writes on this blog in his personal and not professional capacity, the message of hatred in this cartoon nonetheless directly contravenes the principles of the Human Rights Council and of the United Nations itself.”

 

In a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, the League said Falk’s decision to feature an anti-Semitic cartoon on his blog is only the latest in a pattern of unacceptable and inappropriate politicization of his position.

 

Falk, a quondam professor at Princeton University who is Jewish, has been extremely critical of Israel’s behavior in the Palestinian territories and Gaza, and likewise, ardently opposed to American support of Israel.

 

On July 6, Falk removed the cartoon and posted an apology on his blog stating that it ““had strongly anti-Semitic symbolism that I had not detected before it was pointed out to me.”

 

There has been no indication whether Falk will be relieved of his position, or at the very least condemned for his actions.

 

Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life

 

Ynetnews contributed to this report

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.10.11, 14:00
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