unga resolution 3379 (12. 868)

Adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly on this day in 1975, the infranational body determined that Zionism was a form of racial discrimination a year after taking up the Question of Palestine and inviting the Palestine Liberation Organisation at seat at the table (see previously) in the milieu of the declaration of 1963 to eliminate all forms of racism, which had condemned the nationalist and expansionist policies of the Israeli government. Despite notable abstentions, the measure passed, though ultimately rescinded in 1991, in hope of forwarding the peace process and respecting boundaries drawn up in 1948 with the original partition of the UN mandate. Resolution 46/86 revoked the previous designation, raised under pressure from the United States and Israel, saying that the UN was not in keeping with its role and founding mission in challenging Israel’s right to exist. The rescission was later welcomed by Secretary Kofi Annan, living with the legacy of apartheid, calling the stance from a half-century ago deplorable and antisemitic.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links to revisit (with synchronopticæ), the Bear of California plus Trump’s grievances

twelve years ago: The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock illustrated, observing evolution plus a trip to Mainz

thirteen years ago: parts of speech and other systems of classification 

fourteen years ago: EU financial integration 

fifteen years ago: quantitative easing plus Germany’s rejection of nuclear power

seventeen years ago: a tour of local castles