Shouting 'red lines' to sleeping consciences

Lettre au Jerusalem Post publié dans son édition du 28 février

Sir, - In his reply to Caroline Glick's "Obama's Durban Gambit" ("Assessing Durban," Letters, February 24) David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, claims to have played a central role by having "publicly praised France and the Netherlands, among other countries, for insisting on clear red lines and threatening to withdrawif they are breached."

Unfortunately, it is quite true that the AJC has been publicly visible on numerous occasions in the context of various European structures, governmental and others, in connection with Durban II. The AJC has repeatedly supported the participation of European governments in the Durban review process.

This infiltration of the AJC in Europe has had negative effects on individuals and organizations in Europe who have attempted to condemn the capitulation of their own governments throughout the Durban process and the spectacle of European governments seeking consensus at any price, however costly for our democracies.

Well before President Obama's election, the moral support of a large organization such as the AJC gave European governments the cover of good behavior. For example, the AJC gave President Sarkozy its "Light unto the Nations" award. France, then sure of AJC's friendship for its president, launched the now-famous concept of deciding Durban II participation on the basis of whether the process crossed so-called "red lines."

But these red lines were never precisely defined by France or by Europe; they purposely evolve as negotiations continue.

Today, Mr. Harris and various European governments seem to believe it sufficient to shout "red lines"and threaten to leave in order to influence negotiations. In practice, they are fully aware that throughout the Durban II negotiations this has not worked even once.

By affirming that France is still talking in the abstract about red lines - that have surely been crossed - the AJC camouflages the reality of a grave situation.

The AJC's paternalistic attitude toward European Jewish communities has had the dangerous consequence of helping to lull European consciences to sleep, while Munich-like appeasement grows stronger with each passing day.

BERNICE DUBOIS

MALKA MARCOVICH

Paris

Dubois is co-founder of French Coordination for the European Women's Lobby (CLEF) and of the European Council of WIZO Federations (ECWF). Marcovich, a historian and human rights consultant, is the author of 'DisUnited Nations: How the UN Buries Human Rights.'