Rabbi Cooper Urges Austria to Boycott UN Event
The Simon Wiesenthal Center wants Austria to skip the September 28, 2026, UN commemoration of the Durban conference.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Judaism
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Rabbi Abraham Cooper has sent a formal letter to the Austrian chancellor requesting a boycott of the upcoming United Nations event marking 25 years since the World Conference Against Racism. The meeting is set for September 28, 2026, at the UN headquarters in New York.
Why it matters
The Simon Wiesenthal Center characterizes the 2001 Durban conference as a historic forum for antisemitism and anti-Israel hostility, urging nations to avoid the anniversary meeting to show a commitment to combating prejudice.
The 2026 commemoration will mark exactly 25 years since the original World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, South Africa. Austria previously participated in a similar boycott of the conference's 20th anniversary in 2021.
The players
Rabbi Abraham Cooper
He is a prominent religious leader and an associate dean at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
António Guterres
He is the current outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Alexander Van der Bellen
He is the President of Austria who has recently commented on Israeli international law compliance.
Simon Wiesenthal Center
This is a global human rights organization that researches the Holocaust and hate in a historic and contemporary context.
The details
The upcoming commemoration is scheduled to take place in the Trusteeship Council Chamber at United Nations headquarters and will feature remarks from Secretary-General António Guterres. The call for a boycott follows recent tensions, including accusations made by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen regarding Israel's conduct in Judea and Samaria.
Timeline
The original World Conference Against Racism was held in 2001.
Austria boycotted the 20th anniversary meeting of the conference in 2021.
The United Nations commemoration event is scheduled for September 28, 2026.
Culture Shift
The diplomatic tension highlights a broader trend where international forums are increasingly contested based on their historical association with the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. This marks a departure from traditional multilateral engagement as nations balance institutional participation against ideological disagreements.
This diplomatic request influences how international observers view Austria's commitment to fighting antisemitism in global forums. Residents and concerned citizens may track the Austrian government's official response to determine the country's stance on future United Nations events.
The takeaway
The diplomatic tug-of-war highlights how legacy conferences remain flashpoints for modern international relations. It serves as a reminder that participation in multilateral summits is often leveraged by nations and advocacy groups to project core ideological priorities.
What happens next
The United Nations commemoration meeting is scheduled to proceed as planned on September 28, 2026, in the Trusteeship Council Chamber.
Further reading
For more on how global diplomatic issues intersect with Jewish advocacy, see the Judaism section.
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