(CNSNews.com) – Italy has become the first European Union country to withdraw from next month’s United Nations racism conference, echoing Washington’s stance that it could not take part in the event based on an outcome document that attacks Israel as racist.
 
Other E.U. members, including the Netherlands and France, have criticized aspects of the document, including what they see as attempts to shield Islam from criticism on the pretext of combating religious “defamation.” They have indicated that unless the outcome document changes, they will stay away from the April 20-24 Durban Review Conference in Geneva.
 
Italy was first, however, to follow the U.S. lead in withdrawing its delegation from negotiations leading up to the event, known as “Durban II.”
 
Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, speaking in Brussels, said Rome had ended its participation in the preparatory process, citing “aggressive and anti-Semitic statements” in the draft text.
 
He said Italy would reverse its position only if “unacceptable” language is removed from the document – a stance that puts Italy in the same category as the United States. Israel and Canada already have announced a boycott.
 
The conference is a follow-up to the 2001 world conference on racism in Durban, South Africa, which along with a parallel forum of non-governmental organizations was overshadowed by disputes over criticism of Israel and reparations for slavery.
 
The Bush administration sent a low-level delegation, then withdrew it in protest. Israel also pulled out.
 
Jewish organizations in Britain, Australia and elsewhere have stepped up calls for governments to boycott the 2009 event.