How countries voted on Resolution 3379, which called Zionism a form of racism

Why did the Assembly pass it in 1975?

Through 1975, three international meetings adopted texts linking Zionism to racism. The Declaration of Mexico, adopted at the World Conference of the International Women's Year (June 19 to July 2), listed zionism with colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination as things to be eliminated. A resolution of the Organization of African Unity, adopted in Kampala (July 28 to August 1), said the regimes in "occupied Palestine", Zimbabwe and South Africa had "a common imperialist origin." A declaration of Non-Aligned foreign ministers in Lima (August 25 to 30) condemned zionism "as a threat to world peace and security."

Somalia introduced the draft on October 16, 1975 in the Third Committee. It ended with 26 sponsors: 20 Arab League members, plus Afghanistan, Cuba, Dahomey, Guinea, Mali, and the Ukrainian SSR. On October 17, 1975, the Committee adopted it 70 to 29, with 27 abstentions.

At the plenary on November 10, Belgium moved to defer the text to the next session. That motion failed 67 to 55, with 15 abstentions. The Assembly then adopted Resolution 3379 by 72 to 35, with 32 abstentions.

Why was it revoked in 1991?

On September 23, 1991, President George H.W. Bush called for repeal in his address to the General Assembly. He cited the Charter's pledge "to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors" and said: "UNGA Resolution 3379, the so-called 'Zionism is racism' resolution, mocks this pledge and the principles upon which the United Nations was founded. And I call now for its repeal."

The end of the Cold War changed many governments' votes. The Soviet Union, which had voted yes in 1975, co-sponsored the revocation. East European states that had supported the original resolution under communist governments now backed repeal. The draft had 86 co-sponsors.

Yemen moved to require a two-thirds majority for passage. That motion was rejected 96 to 34. The Assembly then adopted Resolution 46/86 by 111 to 25, with 13 abstentions. Revocations by the Assembly are rare. In 1950, Resolution 386 (V) revoked two recommendations on Spain contained in a 1946 resolution.

Khalil Makkawi of Lebanon, speaking for the Arab Group, warned that revocation "would set a dangerous precedent which could render other United Nations resolutions no longer morally and politically binding." Cuba's representative, Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada, said the United States had acted "for petty domestic reasons... using a level of pressure and disinformation that is quite extraordinary."

The 25 no votes came from 13 Arab states, seven Muslim-majority states in Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Pakistan), Mali, and four other states: Cuba, North Korea, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam.