Jewish Groups Slam Award For Robinson

A pro-Israeli lobby group has slammed the selection of former Irish President to be awarded a civic honour by Barack Obama.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) expressed concern at the award saying Mary Robinson was "anti-Israeli" and described her tenure on the

UNHRC as "deeply flawed".

The AIPAC spokesman said: "Mary Robinson, who was one of the people responsible for the 2001 Durban conference against racism descending into an anti-Israel propaganda forum, is not an appropriate recipient for one of our nation's highest honours."

The spokesman added: "In fact, awarding the Medal of Freedom to Mary Robinson does great dishonour to the many outstanding men and women who have received it in the past."

However, the White House has defended its decision to award the former Irish President the highest civilian honour in the United States.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Ms Robinson was being recognised because she was a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Ireland and around the world.

Mr Gibbs said she had made statements that President Barack Obama did not agree with, but that was likely to be the case with a number of the 16 people he planned to recognise for their lifetime achievements.

"[Mary Robinson] continues to bring attention to international issues as Honorary President of Oxfam International, and Chairs the Board of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI Alliance). Since 2002 she has been President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, based in New York, which is an organization she founded to make human rights the compass which charts a course for globalization that is fair, just and benefits all", said the Whitehouse spokesman.

President Barack Obama named Mrs Robinson as a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week. The US President will award the medals to the recipients, that include Steven Hawing and Sidney Poitier, at the White House on August 12.

(DW/BMcc)