Responses to "Engel Blasts Report on Israel" in the Riverdale Press

The Riverdale Press is a large newspaper in the Bronx area and is in the Heart of Zionist Land. A recent article entitled "Engel Blasts Report on Israel" (December 7, 2000) criticizes the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, for the recent report on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Fida Adely writes a letter in response to that article.

To The Editor:

Regarding "Engel Blasts Report on Israel" (12/7/00)

Congressman Eliot Engel criticizes the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, for the recent report on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Essentially he criticizes Robinson and the UN for doing their job - that is mediating international conflicts and upholding international law, particularly the Geneva conventions.

Specifically, he criticizes Robinson for commenting "inappropriately on issues that must be resolved at the bargaining table." There have been numerous other regional conflicts where the UN "commented" on issues that were at the negotiating table - as for example in the Kosovo conflict.

Engel also alleges that the "United Nations has had a history of bias against the state of Israel." Engel states this opinion as if it were a
fact. He fails to explain on what grounds he bases this statement.

First of all, Israel was actually created by a UN resolution. Furthermore, the fact that the UN condemns Israel does not mean that the
UN is biased toward Israel. Again, it means that the UN is doing its job. In addition to mediating international conflicts, the UN is
responsible for protecting the rights of people in international conflicts. In the case of Israel and Palestine, you have a clear
aggressor and occupier - Israel - that is violating and has violated international law throughout its history. This has been documented by
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Center for Economic and Social Rights, B'Tsleem (an Israeli Human Rights organization) and countless other organizations. Are all these internationally respected organizations biased?

There is in fact a bias toward Israel - a bias in favor of Israel. Because of this favored status Israel is not held to the same standards
as Serbia and Iraq for example.

Fida Adely
Lecturer, School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University

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