FORMER President of Ireland Mary Robinson has hit back at pro-Israeli critics of her selection as recipient of a US Presidential Medal of Freedom.Ms Robinson served as United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees during the 2001 Durban Conference against racism and was seen by Jewish leaders as not taking enough action to deter the anti-Jewish and anti-Israel actions at the conference.
She was also seen as a tough critic of Israel’s use of force against the Palestinians during her term in office.
Since it was announced she was to receive the medal, the highest civilian honour in the United States, pro-Israeli lobby groups in the US have publicly criticised her selection.
However, speaking over the weekend Ms Robinson defended her role in the Durban Conference.
"[The criticism] does not completely surprise me. It is totally without foundation. I am extremely proud [of the conference]. It was the third attempt to have the conference and was the first to be successful. In the final document there was not one word of anti-semitism. continues here
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