Europe –The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has Taken a Number of Steps Designed to Combat

According to a resolution adopted by the OSCE, on 8^th July 2007, its members, comprising all the countries in Europe as well as Canada and the United States, are required to adopt laws prohibiting antisemitic activities of any kind and to devise methods of education aimed at condemning them. In addition, these countries are to undertake to steps to protect Jewish institutions and to train their security personnel in how to deal with antisemitic organizations. "This is an unprecedented resolution of international proportions", said Israeli Member of Knesset Collette Avital, who is now in Kiyev, Ukraine, "it is binding and not merely declarative. Thus, each member state, 56 in number, must take decisive action against antisemtism, including through a program of study on the subject".

Since Israel has observer status in the organization, the proposal was made by the United States delegation. Following the intervention of Gerd Weiskirchen, a member of the Social Democratic Party in the German Parliament, another resolution was adopted preventing the member states from joining any economic or cultural boycott of Israel. Not all the representatives taking part in the discussion supported the resolution. Several of the Danish, Italian, Lithuanian and Polish representatives voted against it.

Source: http://www.nrg.co.il/

Date: 8^th July 2007

By: Arik Bender

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