Hillel Neuer on How the Human-Rights Industry Became Obsessed with Israel
Jan 18, 2024
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Hillel Neuer, a human-rights expert focused on Israel and Zionism, discusses the history of the human-rights movement and its divergence from Israel. He explores the origins of human rights, the power of the Universal Declaration, and the legacy of key figures in international human rights. Neuer also questions the motivation behind anti-Israel views and the institutional support for controversial figures.
The establishment of modern Israel in 1948 was closely intertwined with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, highlighting the strong connection between Jewish proponents of human rights and the birth of Israel.
The human rights movement faces challenges in effectively enforcing fundamental freedoms due to the dominance of dictatorships in international bodies like the United Nations, but human rights declarations still hold rhetorical power and legitimacy for democracy movements worldwide.
Certain individuals and organizations within the human rights movement have perpetuated anti-Israel sentiment, undermining the movement's credibility and effectiveness in addressing genuine human rights abuses.
Deep dives
The Origins of Modern Israel and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The establishment of modern Israel in 1948 coincided with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly. Key figures involved in crafting the declaration were prominent Zionists, emphasizing the strong connection between Jewish proponents of human rights and the establishment of Israel. However, over the years, these two commitments have appeared to diverge, with many human rights organizations now opposing the foundational principles and practical needs of Jewish national freedom. This raises questions about the relationship between the human rights movement and Israel, and the need to reconceive and redefine the human rights movement to address these challenges.
Understanding Human Rights and Their Importance
Human rights are commonly understood as fundamental freedoms that protect individuals from government abuse. These rights include freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and the right to life. Government is responsible for protecting these rights, so individuals can express themselves, protest, and practice their religion without fear of persecution or harm. While international bodies like the United Nations proclaim these rights, the enforcement of these rights depends on who is holding others accountable. Dictatorships dominating UN bodies creates challenges in effectively enforcing human rights. However, human rights declarations like the Universal Declaration still hold significant rhetorical power and legitimacy for democracy movements and human rights activists worldwide.
The Shift in the Human Rights Movement
After the horrors of the Holocaust, there was a period of shame in the Western world, which led to a condemnation of overt anti-Semitism. However, this period shifted in 1967 when Israel emerged victorious in the Six-Day War. Israel was suddenly portrayed as a colonial aggressor, and this narrative was perpetuated by anti-Israel activists and regimes. The Soviet Union played a significant role in spreading anti-Zionist propaganda, labeling Zionism as racist and comparing Israel to the Nazis. This narrative gained traction, especially among sympathizers of communism and the radical left. As a result, the human rights movement became infiltrated by anti-Israel sentiment, leading to the demonization of Israel and the distortion of human rights principles.
Negative Influence of Key Figures and Organizations in the Human Rights Movement
Certain individuals and organizations within the human rights movement have perpetuated anti-Israel sentiment. Richard Falk, a retired professor and former member of Human Rights Watch, has consistently espoused anti-Israel views and supported radical figures and regimes. Human Rights Watch, under the leadership of Kenneth Roth, has been criticized for its disproportionate focus on Israel and bias against the country. These individuals and groups have tainted the human rights movement, using their platforms to advance an anti-Zionist agenda and perpetuate false narratives about Israel's actions. Their influence has undermined the credibility and effectiveness of the movement in addressing genuine human rights abuses.
The Need for Reform and Reclaiming the Human Rights Movement
While some elements of the human rights movement have been corrupted by anti-Israel sentiment, it is crucial to recognize that not all organizations and individuals within the movement hold these views. There are still those who genuinely care about promoting and defending human rights globally. These individuals and organizations, such as UN Watch and the Raul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, work tirelessly to fight against human rights abuses in various countries and do not engage in unjust demonization of Israel. By strengthening and supporting these institutions, as well as empowering new voices within the movement, it is possible to reclaim the true essence of human rights and combat the anti-Zionist narrative that has permeated the field.
1948 was a landmark year in international politics. It saw the establishment of modern Israel. And it saw the General Assembly of the United Nations adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That document, recognized today as a foundation stone of international human-rights law, gives voice to a range of fundamental rights meant to honor human freedom and dignity.
At the time, many of the proponents of human-rights statements and organizations were not only Jewish but proud Zionists. In the seventy-five years since, those two sorts of commitments seem to have grown in different directions, so that now, most people who work in the human-rights industry do not support but actively oppose the foundational premises and practical necessities of Jewish national freedom.
Hillel Neuer is the executive director of UN Watch, a human-rights organization based in Geneva. Together in conversation with Mosaic editor Jonathan Silver, he asks several pressing questions about this history, which he wrote about as a chapter in the new volume Jewish Priorities: Sixty-Five Proposals for the Future of Our People, published by Wicked Son. How did the human-rights movement and Israel start together? How did they grow apart? Can the human-rights movement change course, so that it can still highlight violations of human-rights law without falling prey to the obsession with Israel that today undermines its credibility?
Musical selections in this podcast are drawn from the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 31a, composed by Paul Ben-Haim and performed by the ARC Ensemble.
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