Toronto (January 16, 2019) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) condemns the recent appointment of the Palestinian Authority as 2019 Chair of the United Nations Group of 77 (G77) – a coalition of 134 developing countries.

“This is another shameful move by the UN, appointing a non-member state and a funder of terrorism to presidency of G77,” said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. “It’s extremely shocking that while Israel – the only true democracy in the Middle East – is targeted year after year by UN member states, a party that openly supports terrorism and the murder of innocent civilians is being celebrated. Unfortunately, this appointment will be wasted and will not help in creating a resolution and peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”

In a piece published in the Jerusalem Post, Israeli journalist Khaled Abu Toameh writes, “[Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud] Abbas will soon return to Ramallah to realize that his latest ‘victory’ has not changed the reality on the ground. As he was speaking at the UN, Hamas and other Palestinian factions were pointing out that Abbas was no longer a legitimate and rightful president since his term in office expired 10 years ago.”

The UN General Assembly voted back in October to allow the PA to chair G77, with only the US, Israel and Australia voting against the move. Canada disappointingly abstained from the vote.

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Media Contact:

Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate
416-864-9735 ext. 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca