Hilal Elver Archives - UN Watch

Ex-UN investigator Richard Falk and his wife attack UN Watch

zadmin — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:35:43 +0000

Issue 516
Ex-UN investigator Richard Falk and his wife attack UN Watch
Falk: “I have been the continuous target of a sustained defamation campaign spearheaded by the Zionist UN Watch…. On at least one occasion I was informed that a previous offer of a visiting appointment at an overseas university, Kings College London, was reduced from year-to-year to a single year due to my alleged anti-Semitism”

Richard Falk and his wife, new UN special rapporteur on the right to food Hilal Elver Falk

GENEVA, Dec. 8 – For the third time in three months, former UN official Richard Falk has lashed out at UN Watch, this time in an interview that purports to be in the voice of his wife, new UN expert on hunger Hilal Elver Falk, but which appears to have been written by him.

Asked by the interviewer from the Moon Magazine why the U.S. condemned her appointment, Elver, who has famously accused Israel of “water apartheid”, misleadingly answered by insisting that the U.S. did not vote against her appointment, which is true — largely because the appointment of numerous experts was a package deal — but non-responsive to the question asked.

Elver claims that “the U.S. government did not oppose my appointment.” In fact, the U.S. strongly condemned her appointment, following a UN Watch letter to Ambassador Samantha Power documenting Elver’s utter failure to meet the basic requirements of the position. The U.S. slammed Falk’s wife for her “lack of relevant experience,” questioned “her readiness for this assignment,” and pointed to her “biased and inflammatory views” which “run counter to the dispassionate professionalism central to the work of a Special Rapporteur.” Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird sent a letter to the UN condemning Elver’s “abysmal judgment.”

Elver omitted all of this, and instead accused UN Watch of mounting a “politically motivated publicity campaign” against her.

“A small Geneva NGO called UN Watch came out against my appointment, not because of my qualifications, but because I am married to Richard Falk, said Elver. “This NGO consistently and irresponsibly accused my husband of being anti-Semitic, and I was presumed guilty merely as a result of being his wife. I was also falsely alleged to be collaborating with his writings on the Palestine-Israel conflict.”

The truth is that Elver’s original application form was riddled with self-disqualifying answers, non-sequiturs, and spelling mistakes. Her English, as one can also see on YouTube, is very poor and at times incoherent. Curiously, however, while the interviewer claims to have “talked” to Elver, her English is flawless, and also includes all of her husband’s usual manipulative arguments.

Falk: ‘I Lost Academic Appointment Because of UN Watch”

Richard Falk, the infamous 9/11 Truther and author of the New York Times 1979 op-ed “Trusting Khomeini,” has not received a moment of UN Watch attention once his 6-year term as the UNHRC’s special investigator of “Israel’s violations of the bases and principles of international law” expired, at long last, in June of this year.

Yet Falk continues to evince a profound bitterness to UN Watch, the only human rights group at the United Nations that dared to expose his toxic mix of pro-Hamas appeasement, anti-Western invective, support for 9/11 conspiracy theorists and demonization of Israel.

Asked in an October interview about obstacles to his UN work, Falk said: “I was very much attacked in a kind of defamatory way by UN Watch and other very extreme Zionist organizations, which tried — wherever I went, anywhere in the world, they would try to prevent me from speaking and mounted a kind of defamatory campaign, called me an anti-Semite, a leading anti-Semite.”

In truth, UN Watch allies in condemning Falk’s poison included UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the U.S., the UK, Canada — and the Palestinian Authority, which famously tried to fire him. For a glimpse into Falk’s numerous statements supporting terrorism against America, the West and Israel, click here.

Here is Falk’s tirade against UN Watch, from his September essay on the alleged misuses of anti-Semitism:

I do not claim neutrality on these issues. During the past six years, while serving as UN Special Rapporteur for Occupied Palestine on behalf of the Human Rights Council, I have been the continuous target of a sustained defamation campaign spearheaded by a Zionist-oriented NGO, UN Watch, based in Geneva. I was repeatedly accused of anti-Semitism, and my views on other issues were likewise distorted to create an impression of bizarre judgment. I was called a supporter of terrorism, a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, and the like…

Because of the atmosphere in North America where demonstrating 100%+ support for Israel has become an indispensable ingredient of political credibility, these defamatory attacks were accepted as valid by several public officials who never bothered to check with me or examine my actual views on such controversial topics.

As a result I was attacked by such luminaries as the UN Secretary General, two U.S. ambassadors to the UN (Susan Rice, Samantha Powers), Foreign Minister of Canada, among others, and a favorite target for Fox TV and the Murdock [sic] media empire.

Additionally, efforts were made to have my lectures cancelled at universities in various places around the world (including McGill and McMaster in Canada, AUB in Beirut, ANU, Melbourne, and Sydney in Australia, Norfolk in the UK, and Princeton, University of Texas, University of Iowa and others in the USA) These universities were warned that unless my campus appearance was cancelled, funding would suffer.

On at least one occasion I was informed that a previous offer of a visiting appointment at an overseas university, Kings College London, was reduced from year-to-year to a single year due to my alleged anti-Semitism.

Even my wife was defamed by such Zionist zealots who tried to defeat her candidacy in the UN Human Rights Council in 2014 to become Special Rapporteur for the Right to Food. She was accused of writing inflammatory anti-Israeli tracts in collaboration with me, a complete lie as we had never collaborated on this subject-matter, and it was further alleged that she shared my anti-Semitic views, which is a double lie.

The post Ex-UN investigator Richard Falk and his wife attack UN Watch appeared first on UN Watch.

The Open Anti-Semitism on Richard Falk's Blog

zadmin — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:49:58 +0000

As Richard Falk exits the UN, and as his wife Hilal Elver — who is co-director of the institute which sponsors the blog below — enters the UN as a newly-appointed investigator of its Human Rights Council, it is important to appreciate the open anti-Semitism that their heavily-moderated blog hosts on a regular basis, apart from Falk’s own notorious posts that have earned condemnation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other world figures.
One example is the crude anti-Jewish rantings of a regular and approved commenter on Falk’s blog who goes by the name of Walker Percy.
Even though Reform Rabbi Ira Youdovin has urged Falk to remove the hate, Falk has refused, instead showering praise on this “astute” and “sensible” commenter (see below), and openly defending his decision to host the despicable hatred on his blog — even as Falk insists that his policy is not to approve anti-Semitic or racist comments.
Examples of Falk-approved comments by Walker Percy:

“Jewish people… have decided to bring down human civilization (like Sampson) rather than admit their perfidy in establishing a new crusader state in Jerusalem”; “this conflict is simply an artifact of Jewish neurosis.” Link to Falk’s blog
“We have to find a way to prevent the next catastrophe in the long Jewish tradition of Creating enemies and getting themselves killed.” Link to Falk’s blog

“Jews and Israel have placed themselves at the very center of this discussion because of their brazen behavior in trying to unseat our President through all manner of deceit” Link to Falk’s blog
“It is this systematic indoctrination, the Jewish religion itself, which causes these problems, and probably always has”; “Israel itself is only the latest embodiment of this peculiarly Jewish neurosis, the mother of all self-fulfilling prophecies, and one of the greatest danger that human civilization has ever faced.” Link to Falk’s blog
“The Zionists are… finally and shamelessly revealing themselves to be the enemies of humanity”; “Nato can bring its full force to bear on the Zionist world-wreckers” Link to Falk’s blog
“That kind of truth cannot be tolerated by the Elders who think they run (and own) the world.” Link to Falk’s blog
“The Protocols [of the Elders of Zion] is an uncannily accurate description of what is happening right now.” Link to Falk’s blog
“The world is beginning to understand just how toxic jewish religious practice and cultural indoctrination really is.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Judaism is a pyramid scheme of social shaming leading to great accumulation of wealth by those at the apex.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Driven by some kind of revolting Freudian impulse, they are also telling us more about what probably happened in the 1930′s in Europe.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Jews are ensuring, with breathtaking recklessness, that they will be punished by the rest of the world. No amount of weapons or money can prevent the next shoah that is being constructed, to our great horror.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Jews have perpetrated a massive fraud on the rest of us, with their lavish, self-financed Holocaust Museums all over America and the world. The Holocaust myth is instrumental to maintaining American support of Israel, which leads to worldwide terrorism.” Link to Falk’s blog
“The jewish religion is nothing but a vast, loathesome ponzi scheme of shaming and coercion, whose practitioners will eventually be forced to renounce it.” Link to Falk’s blog
“The practice of Judaism as an organized belief system itself is what has caused many horrible events throughout history, and it is currently driving mankind toward its denouement, presumably in a giant spasm of violent death and economic catastrophe.” Link to Falk’s blog

There are many, many more.
FALK’S ENDORSEMENTS, PRAISE FOR WALKER PERCY’S HATRED
And here is what Falk has to say about his guest commenter Walker Percy:

“I think the range of disagreements represented by Walker Percy to be consistent with civility of tone, and voice serious and genuine opinions that seem suitable for discussion and illuminate the problems associated with the conflict.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Walker: An astute assessment, especially the cool calculations… Best wishes, Richard.” Link to Falk’s blog
“I am impressed, Walker, by your persisting willingness and ability to provide uncomfortable answers to haunting questions, making us both think and worry.” Falk praises Walker’s efforts as “a valuable, and never popular, undertaking.” Link to Falk’s blog
“I agree with you, and thank you for the sensible advice.” Link to Falk’s blog
“I share your sense that extreme Zionist perspectives are not interested in genuine discussion”; “I also understand and share much of your frustration…” Link to Falk’s blog
“ I agree with your assessment about the taboo…”; “there is room for scholarly inquiry into the Jewish mindset, etc., that is associated with biblical texts and cultural norms.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Thanks for raising these issues in an intelligent manner.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Thanks, Walker, for your steadfastness.” Link to Falk’s blog
“Thanks for these perceptive comments, Walker. I think your perspective while harsh in some respects has integrity and insight. Richard.” Link to Falk’s blog

The post The Open Anti-Semitism on Richard Falk's Blog appeared first on UN Watch.

U.S. and Canada blast today’s UN appointment of Richard Falk’s wife, citing ‘biased and inflammatory views’

unwatch — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:25:31 +0000

U.S. and Canada blast today’s UN appointment of Richard Falk’s wife, citing ‘biased and inflammatory views,’ ‘abysmal judgment’

Goldstone Report Co-Author Christine Chinkin Loses Bid for Palestine Post to Indonesian Diplomat

Today, as controversial UN official Richard Falk ended his 6-year term as human rights investigator, the UN appointed his wife and academic partner, Hilal Elver Falk, to her own 6-year term as a human rights investigator. The couple co-direct a research institute.

GENEVA, May 8, 2014 — UN Watch condemned the UN’s “bizarre, nepotistic, and politically-driven” decision today to hand a top human rights post to the controversial wife and academic partner of discredited official Richard Falk, on the same day that he ended his own 6-year term as UN investigator of Israeli violations.

Despite submitting an application form riddled with self-disqualifying answers, non-sequiturs, and more than 20 spelling mistakes, Hilal Elver (also known as Hilal Elver Falk) was named UN special rapporteur on the right to food, a position initiated by Cuba and first held by Jean Ziegler, founder and recipient of the Muammar Qaddafi Human Rights Prize.

“Decisions like this threaten to turn the UN into a joke,” said UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer.

“Falk was an open admirer of 9/11 conspiracy theorists and an apologist for terror groups whose term was finally up, so now the UN installed his closest professional collaborator — his wife.”

Elver and her husband Falk teach, lecture and publish together. They also co-direct a research institute.

Falk was condemned repeatedly during his term by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the U.S., Britain and Canada for promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories and endorsing an anti-Semitic book.

At the same time, UN Watch welcomed the strong objections expressed by the U.S. and Canada, which followed a month-long protest campaign by the the Geneva human rights group.

U.S. Blasts Elver’s “Biased and Inflammatory Views”

“The United States again expresses its concern,” said the U.S. in a statement today, citing Elver’s “lack of relevant experience” and questioning “her readiness for this assignment.”

In addition, the U.S. pointed to Elver’s “biased and inflammatory views” regarding the United States and Israel, which it said “run counter to the dispassionate professionalism central to the work of a Special Rapporteur.”

The U.S. said the appointment “could reflect negatively on the Council’s other special procedures mandates, most of which produce crucial work that highlights, promotes, and protects human rights around the world.”

Canada FM Condemns Elver’s “Abysmal Judgment”

“Her public record clearly demonstrates abysmal judgment, as well as associations with fringe groups,” Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said in a letter sent to Baudelaire Ndong Ella, a diplomat from the African country of Gabon and current UNHRC president.

Elver is one of 19 academics and former diplomats named today as independent experts of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council.

“Apart from Elver, many excellent people were chosen today, and we look forward to working with them to advance human rights for victims worldwide,” said UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer.

“It is truly a shame that many of the independent experts who are the crown jewels of the UN human rights system should have their work tarnished by indefensible UN appointments driven purely by politics and anti-Western and anti-Israel ideological agendas.”

UN Watch had sent a letter, objecting to Elver’s failure to satisfy the UN post’s official criteria, to the U.S., Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Romania and the UK, all of whom are voting members on the UNHRC, and to Canada, an observer.

Elver has joined her husband on numerous occasions in supporting the work of 9/11 conspiracy theorists, and in accusing the West and Israel of Islamophobia and “genocide.”

“Hilal Elver is not only Richard Falk’s wife, employee and main collaborator, but she echoes his crude and simplistic post-colonial narrative, which demonizes America, the West, and Israel, while praising dictators like Erdogan and the books of 9/11 conspiracy theorists,” said Neuer.

Co-Author of Goldstone Report Loses Bid to Replace Falk; Indonesian Diplomat is Named Instead

In an upset for LSE professor Christine Chinkin, co-author of the UN’s Goldstone Report, the council dropped her name as Falk’s intended replacement, instead naming former Indonesian diplomat Makarim Wibisono to the post.

This is second time that Chinkin applied yet failed to get the post. In 2006, she was defeated by Falk.

“While UN Watch was the first to express concerns over several of his past UN statements made on behalf of Indonesia,” said Neuer, “I met and interacted with Ambassador Wibisono in 2005 when he was Chair of the former UN Commission on Human Rights, a position that he fulfilled with fairness and professionalism.”

“Despite the bias inherent in this one-sided UN mandate, which only examines Israel and presumes guilt in advance, I hope that Ambassador Wibisono will turn a new page for the UN position.”

“Falk’s 6-year tenure was marked by baseless and inflammatory condemnations of Israel that only caused polarization, threatening to push the parties apart.”

“We need someone now who will respect universal standards, genuinely protect the human rights of all citizens, and uphold the UN’s purpose of bringing people together.”

The post U.S. and Canada blast today’s UN appointment of Richard Falk’s wife, citing ‘biased and inflammatory views’ appeared first on UN Watch.

U.S. and Canada blast today's UN appointment of Richard Falk's wife, citing 'biased and inflammatory views'

zadmin — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:25:31 +0000