On November 10, 1975, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Chaim Herzog – later the sixth President of Israel – delivered one of the most influential speeches in history denouncing the UN General Assembly resolution that equated Zionism with racism. The resolution, which was part of the Arab League’s campaign to isolate Israel in the international arena, was adopted by a wide majority, and was only revoked in 1991. This period of time was the lowest point of Israel-UN relations.

In his historic speech, given on the day the shameful resolution was adopted, Ambassador Herzog proclaimed: “For us, the Jewish people, this is but a passing episode in a rich and an event-filled history,” and in a dramatic and memorable moment, he tore up the UN resolution on the podium of the General Assembly, and declared “For us, the Jewish people, this is no more than a piece of paper and we shall treat it as such.”

On Wednesday, November 11, the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN together with the Yad Chaim Herzog Association and American Jewish Congress, will hold a special event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the UN resolution. Attendees will include UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, the family of the late Chaim Herzog, and other important guests.

Israel’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Danon said with regard to the upcoming event: “Forty years ago, a dark chapter was written in the UN’s history, and despite the retraction of the resolution, the hypocrisy and delegitimization against Israel still echo in the halls of this organization. The UN must tear this page from its history, and open a new page of fairness and equality among all its member states.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)