"Israel concerned over IRI participation in Durban review conference"

Representative of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader in Tehran said 'Israel' is concerned over the participation of Iranian NGO delegation at 2009 World Conference against Racism in Geneva.

Speaking to Qodsna, Naser Abu Sharif said the Durban review conference will disclose the Israeli plots which the regime has designed to improve its delusive face in world following its disgrace in the 22-day war against Gaza.

He said the 2009 World Conference against Racism in Geneva was obstructed under the pressures of 'Israel.'

"Making anti-Zionist actions in the European countries is not easy. The Israeli regime has agents in all European countries who try to affect their public opinion and political decisions by misusing media," he said.

Pointing to the participation of Iranian NGO delegation at the conference, the Islamic Jihad official said "IRI stance over Israel is clear and firm", adding no NGO can condemn Zionist regime as strongly as Iran's.

Abusharif also said Israeli regime has suffered crises and world hatred.

'Israel committed al large number of crimes against humanity in Palestine and Arab countries,' the Islamic Jihad envoy added.

He described an ethnic cleansing in 1948 as the biggest crime ever committed by the Zionist regime, adding the regime is adamant to continue the policy.

An Iranian NGO delegation comprised of activists in the fields of human rights and anti-racism will attend the 2009 World Conference against Racism in Geneva to open on April 20.

Several Iranian NGOs active in the field of Palestinian issue too will accompany the delegation, including a correspondent from Qodsna.

The Durban Conference is a follow-up to the 2001 UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (WCAR). The UNCHR is responsible for organizing and convening the event.

During the Bush administration the US and Zionist regime walked out of the first UN conference on racism in Durban, South Africa in 2001 after the conference decided to pass a resolution comparing Zionism to racism.