New York, NY . . . Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, charged UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, with abusing his authority by communicating directly with companies to inform them they are on a “blacklist” of firms doing business in or with Israeli businesses in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The grossly discriminatory “blacklist” was compiled through an undisclosed process overseen by the High Commissioner and his staff, pursuant to a blatantly anti-Israel resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council in March 2016.
Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Hoenlein said, “Despite the limits of the terms of the blatantly anti-Israel “blacklist” resolution, and over strong objections from the United States and others, the High Commissioner continues to abuse the authority of his office. By notifying companies they are on the “blacklist”, the High Commissioner is actively abetting the Council’s unwarranted discriminatory campaign to coerce international businesses to cease doing business with Israeli companies in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The High Commissioner’s complicity in the campaign that essentially endorses a boycott targeting Israel, gives official U.N. cover to the unrestrained bias against Israel in the international body, fans the flames of discord, and interferes with prospects for peace in the Middle East, calling into question his objectivity, judgment and ability to carry out his duties as a protector of human rights.
Once again, we call on responsible member states in the Human Rights Council, U.N. Secretary General Guterres and others committed to justice, an effective U.N. and peace in the Middle East to forcefully speak out against these actions by the High Commissioner.”
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