On November 10th, 1975, the United Nation General Assembly endorsed UN Resolution 3379. This important and significant Resolution was passed and adopted by the United Nations with a vote of 72 to 35 (with 32 abstentions), calling Zionism synonymous with racism [1].
It also endorsed the statement made in August of the same year that the UN severely condemned Zionism as a threat to world peace and security and called upon all countries to oppose this racist and imperialist ideology [1,2].
Coupled with UN Resolution 3151 (1973) – condemning the alliance between the apartheid regime of South Africa and Zionism, and UN Resolution 1904 (1963) – that the UN declared in eliminating of all forms of racial discrimination (in reference to Zionism) and its affirmation that “any doctrine of racial differentiation or superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous” [1,2] thus, surely stating a convincing perception and opinion on Zionism at the time.
Furthermore, UN Resolution 3379 also reiterated UN Resolution 77 adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (1975), which considered “that the racist regime in occupied Palestine and the racist regime in Zimbabwe and South Africa have a common imperialist origin, forming a whole and having the same racist structure and being organically linked in their policy aimed at repression of the dignity and integrity of the human being” [1,2].
Also the Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women and Their Contribution to Development and Peace (1975), which promulgated the principle that “international co-operation and peace require the achievement of national liberation and independence, the elimination of colonialism and neo-colonialism, foreign occupation, Zionism, apartheid and racial discrimination in all its forms, as well as the recognition of the dignity of peoples and their right to self-determination” [1,2].
All these preceding resolutions and declarations, which began from 1963, led to the endorsement of Resolution 3379 in 1975: that the United Nations has unequivocally proclaimed and established that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination.
So why did United Nations see the importance of curbing Zionism? To answer this question, we first need to answer what is racism and if Zionism is part of it.
According to Oxford Dictionary, Britannica Encyclopaedia and Wikipedia, racism is the belief that a race possesses characteristics, abilities, or qualities so as to distinguish it as superior (or inferior) to another race or races which can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and/or antagonism in the form of belief and/or practices.
It may also hold that members of different races should be treated differently [3,4]. And the same references also state, Zionism is a nationalist and political movement of Jews and Jewish culture that supports the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the territory defined as the historic Land of Israel [5,6]. It includes establishment, development and protection of the Jewish nation in what is now Israel.
It is alluded that the two do not equate, however under scrutiny, after analysing what is defined by the ‘movement’ of establishing and developing of the Jewish nation, it draws down to the answering of these simple questions (by inferring to the definition of racism):
In order to establish and develop the Jewish nation (read: Israel),
- Do Israelis believe that they are superior to Palestinians / Arabs / the rest of the world?
- Do Israelis show prejudice towards Palestinians / Arabs / the rest of the world?
- Do Israelis discriminate and antagonise Palestinians / Arabs / the rest of the world?
- Do Israelis treat Palestinians differently?
From these, it is apparent that we can make a logical deduction and draw to an obvious conclusion! This issue is as important as it was then (1975) and is still valid today; nothing has changed, until and unless Palestine is free.
Unfortunately, via powerful lobbying and global influence of Israel on world policy especially the United States of America, UN resolution 3379 was revoked on December 16th, 1991 (Resolution 46/86)2 – the first time in the United Nations’ history that a UN resolution has ever been revoked!
Although the Resolution was rescinded, we have to keep reminding ourselves that this opinion still holds true even today. Zionism is still harbouring racism through its evident actions and practices in Palestine and the rest of the world.
There are concerted and organised efforts made by interest groups/parties that continue in attempting to diminish this opinion, but we know, the truth will prevail. In today’s media network, information can no longer be hidden.
This advantage will help us reach out to the world, to make, and then lead public opinion. And what is more important is that we must voice them and let the world know the truth. To be silent is not an option!
Today we have witnessed people flooding down the streets around the world protesting against Zionism. Many thousands of individuals have boycotted products that are directly contributing to the pogroms, massacres and injustices inflicted on the Palestinians in the name of Zionism.
Shops and supermarket chains are refusing to sell Israeli produce. A few Latin American countries have also severed diplomatic relations and instituted trade sanctions. All this accounts for the mass movement towards denouncing Zionism.
In The Economist (February 2014 issue), they have published an article mentioning about elevated concerns from an Israeli politician of the potential of Israel being isolated [7]. This proves that these actions and campaigns have made an impact and that is why they must continue.
In conclusion, we must turn back to the pages of history during the apartheid era, that we waged war against this revolting and wicked ideology with all our might with the backing of the entire world. And subsequently we came out triumphant and became the victors!
The time has come again to call upon the world, through public opinion and other means, to sacrifice and muster our effort and strength, to fight and battle against this hideous and heinous ideology. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” – Nelson Mandela
Rafitz Khamis
Cambridge, United Kingdom
References:
- United Nations General Assembly Resolutions. Security Council Report A/RES/3379 (XXX).
- Wikipedia. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379.
- Wikipedia. Racism.
- Britannica Online. Racism.
- Wikipedia. Zionism.
- Britannica Online. Zionism.
- The Economist, 7th February 2014. A campaign that is gathering weight.
