Meanwhile, with “friends” like the American Jewish Committee…

For more than a year, the AJC has conducted an extensive lobbying campaign of the American government and of foreign governments to stay in Durban II.

On December 11, 2008 [AJC Executive Director] Harris told The Jerusalem Post: “We can’t afford to declare Durban II lost without more focus on diplomacy.” On January 12, 2009 the AJC’s human rights arm, the Blaustein Institute, wrote to Secretary Clinton and UN Ambassador Susan Rice: “The Durban Review Conference provides an opportunity to review states’ progress in the implementation of their commitments to combat racism made in 2001… While some organizations are calling for a US boycott, we believe that is the wrong decision at this time.”

[ … ]

Worse still, as a quid pro quo for its tactical retreat from Durban II, the US is on the verge of announcing that it will run for a seat (election is a foregone conclusion) on the UN Human Rights Council - a move strongly advocated by none other than the AJC’s human rights institute. In the words of an AJC press release January 29, 2007: “The human rights arm of the American Jewish Committee is urging the United States to seek membership on the UN Human Rights Council.” The Council has adopted more resolutions and decisions condemning Israel than all other 191 UN member states combined. By joining the UN Human Rights Council, the Obama administration will be legitimizing a body dedicated to the delegitimization of Israel.

What on earth could they be thinking?