Delegates Walk Out as Israeli Speaks at U.N. Women’s Parley

Delegates from Arab, African and East Bloc countries, shouting “Zionists go home!,” walked out of the U.N. Decade for Women conference today as the head of the Israeli delegation began an address.

The walkout during a plenary session triggered a formal Israeli protest to the United Nations. The speaker, Sarah Doron, an Israeli Parliament member, accused the Palestine Liberation Organization and Libya of organizing the demonstration.

“It was illegal and unheard of. It was not civilized,” Doron said.

“I am very angry. We are in Nairobi to discuss peace. To discuss peace you need dialogue and with a walkout there can be no dialogue.”

Maureen Reagan, President Reagan’s daughter and head of the U.S. delegation, called the walkout sad and said it violated the spirit of the conference, which marks the end of the U.N. Women’s Decade.

Scores of delegates from Arab, African and Eastern European countries, including the Soviet Union, Syria, Bulgaria and Morocco, took part in the disruption. Such actions rarely occur at a U.N. conference.

Some delegates shouted “Zionist terrorists, go away!” and “Zionists go home!” as they left the hall.

Police were called to the conference center but the demonstrators returned to their seats after Doron concluded her remarks.

Egypt, Jordan, Poland and Romania did not join in the protest.