Detroit Jewish News

6 January 5 • 2017 D E T R O I T J E W I S H N E W S theJEWISHNEWS.com To make a donation to the DE TROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website w w w. d j n fo u n a d t i o n . o r g Arthur M. Horwitz Publisher / Executive Editor ahorwitz@renmedia.us F. Kevin Browett Chief Operating Officer kbrowett@renmedia.us | Editorial Managing Editor: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@renmedia.us Story Development Editor: Keri Guten Cohen kcohen@thejewishnews.com Arts & Life Editor: Lynne Konstantin lkonstantin@renmedia.us Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us Contributing Writers: Ruthan Brodsky, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Don Cohen, Shari S. 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This U.S. abstention was an abandonment of the Obama administration's previously consistent diplomatic support and commit- ment to Israel. The final act of the adminis- tration appears to be a significant undermin- ing of the U.S.-Israel relationship. The resolution is one-sided, almost solely singling out Israel for condemnation, and erroneously lays the blame for the present impasse in the peace process on Israeli settlements rather than on Palestinian refusal to come to the negotiating table. Even more disturbing is that this resolution declares opposition to building in east Jerusalem, equating it with Israeli construction any- where in the West Bank, and denies Israel's claims in the eastern part of the city including the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter, and neigh- borhoods containing tens of thousands of Jewish residents. Perhaps the most damaging aspect of this misguided resolution is that it has been interpreted as a Palestinian diplomatic vic- tory, making that party even less likely to resume direct negotiations with Israel. This action leads to several troubling ques- tions. Where is the call for direct negotia- tions between the parties? Why haven't the Arab states pushed the Palestinians back to the table? Where is the development of a civil society and democratic institutions in the Palestinian Authority? As a result, the resolu- tion blocks rather than promotes progress toward peace. Through this resolution, the U.N. contin- ues its long-standing, one-sided approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, clearly expressing bias toward Israel. The U.N. continues to pass one-sided resolutions that single out and condemn the Jewish State. Additionally, an overwhelmingly powerful bloc led by the Arab nations promotes a nar- row agenda meant to isolate Israel that has met little resistance. Some of those countries hold seats on the U.N. Human Rights Council or even the Security Council. Despite being the only democ- racy in the Middle East, Israel routinely faces more criticism and condemnation at the United Nations than any other country, including those that systematically kill their citizens or deny them the most basic of human rights. The U.N. does little to stop mass civilian casualties in Syria and Iraq, and looks away at the slide toward genocide in southern Sudan. Instead, it chooses to focus almost exclusively in craft- ing biased resolutions against Israel. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, stepping down this week, has admitted to the bias. Speaking to the U.N. Security Council, he expressed his opinion that the U.N. has had a "disproportionate focus on Israel" that has "foiled the ability of the U.N. to fulfill its role effectively." The Secretary-General explained that "decades of political maneuvering have creat- ed a disproportionate number of resolutions, reports and committees against Israel." It's refreshing to hear such an honest perspective but far too little, too late as he leaves the post. Anti-Israel bias is not restricted to the GA and Security Council. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passed a resolu- tion in October 2016 that includes language ignoring Jewish ties to many holy sites throughout Israel including the Temple Mount and the Tomb of the Patriarchs. The resolution passed overwhelmingly. The Temple Mount, or al-Aqsa Mosque, the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest in Islam, was referred to in the resolution solely by its Muslim/Arabic names (al-Aqsa or al- Haram al-Sharif ) and not once by the site's Jewish/Israeli name. Thirty lawmakers from the United States, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, and others expressed their disapproval of the resolution. JCRC/AJC continues to support a two-state solution and a peaceful resolution reached through direct negotiations between the two parties. Unfortunately, anti-Israel actions perpetrated at the U.N., like the recent reso- lution at the U.N. Security Council, signifi- cantly undermine earnest efforts toward a negotiated settlement. * Dr. Richard Krugel is president of the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC. He resides in Bloomfield Hills. Richard Krugel instead of medical treatment, the out-of- pocket costs are typically several thousand dollars a month. This frequently presents an insurmountable financial burden on many people; a choice between survival and bank- ruptcy. Since the bill died in committee with the close of the 2016 Congressional session, Sen. Hansen has promised to reintroduce it when the legislature reconvenes; it is expected to pass in the Senate again. Passage of the new bill will be in jeopardy without strong citizen support. There is a serious concern that the new bill will be released from committee with riders and/or objectionable language attached, which will hinder, if not prevent, its passage. This is a serious issue that has a profound impact on the lives of many cancer patients. A diagnosis of cancer is, at the very least, terrifying. Even more devastating can be the knowledge that the possible key to your sur- vival is not a medical decision but an oner- ous financial one. I am greatly saddened to contemplate residing in a state where living or dying is a choice reserved for the elite. * Sharon Rocklin is a wife, mother, grandmother, ovarian cancer survivor and the chair of the Life Enhancement Series for the Cancer Thrivers Network for Jewish Women, a component of the wellness program of Jewish Family Service. commentary continued from page 5

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