NEW YORK, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The World Jewish Congress (WJC) has welcomed a statement by Navanethem Pillay, the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has acknowledged "the virulent anti-Semitic behaviour" that doomed the non-governmental component of the September 2001 World Conference Against Racism, in Durban, South Africa.

Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, said: "As the United Nations official responsible for coordinating and managing the 2009 Durban Review Conference in Geneva, Madame Pillay's message during her first weeks in office was both needed and appreciated. The World Jewish Congress looks forward to working with her to minimize the diplomacy of hate that characterized the infamous 2001 Conference and side events."

The High Commissioner's remarks came within the context of her opening address to the Second Meeting of the Preparatory Committee, in advance of the April 2009 Review Conference, also known as "Durban II". In her conclusion High Commissioner Pillay noted, "We have yet to learn the lessons of the Holocaust, and every day men, women and children still lose their lives to violence that is motivated by racial, religious and ethnic discrimination."

Matthew Bronfman, Chairman of the WJC Governing Board, added, "We hope Madame Pillay and others in the room will continue to stand firm against those governments already pushing for the universal anti-racism agenda to become further dominated by anti-Israel partisans, with the rest of the world taking a back seat."

The World Jewish Congress is the international federation of Jewish communities around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations worldwide, and holds consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and other UN bodies.

SOURCE World Jewish Congress