UN to mark 25th anniversary of South Africa's Durban Conference criticized for antisemitic rhetoric

"Durban was not a fight against racism, but a platform for antisemitism and hatred of Israel," said Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

The UN will hold an event in New York on Monday marking 25 years since the 2001 Durban Conference in South Africa, which drew sharp criticism from Israel and the US over antisemitic rhetoric and attacks against Israel heard during the gathering.

Ahead of Monday's event, Israel's mission to the UN, led by Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, worked to reduce its scope and build an international front against holding it. As a result, the event will be limited to official working hours, no additional panels will be held, the interactive discussion will be restricted to one hour, and there will be no closing session.

The original Durban Conference was held in South Africa in 2001 under the banner of combating racism and discrimination. During the conference, the Israeli and US delegations withdrew in protest over the treatment of Israel and language being considered at the gathering.

At the same time, a forum of nongovernmental organizations held alongside the conference drew sharp criticism over antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric.

Danon criticized the decision to commemorate the anniversary.

Danon: UN choosing to 'commemorate' one of its 'greatest disgraces'

"Twenty-five years have passed, and the UN still has not learned the lesson of Durban," he said. "Instead of disavowing one of the greatest disgraces in its history, it chooses to commemorate it."

According to Danon, "Durban was not a fight against racism, but a platform for antisemitism and hatred of Israel. Countries that truly believe in the fight against racism must make clear that they will not lend a hand to this spectacle."

The ambassador added that Israel would also act in response to Monday's planned event: "We will continue to fight the attempt to whitewash antisemitism within the walls of the UN."