September 8, 2001, Durban — The World Conference Against Racism ran a full day beyond its scheduled conclusion on September 7 and ended with the adoption of a "compromise" proposal on the Middle East reached between the European Union and Arab countries and facilitated by South Africa. At the final plenary session, Arab delegates led by Syria and Pakistan sought to add three paragraphs of the earlier anti-Israel language that had prompted the U.S. and Israel to abandon the conference. South African Foreign Minister Zuma, chair of the conference, appealed to government delegates to conclude with a consensus declaration and to "focus on not doing anything to cause this conference to collapse."

In an acrimonious debate, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara was determined to add language accusing Israel’s "foreign occupation" of giving rise to racism. Brazil offered a "motion of no action" requesting that, having reached a compromise on the Middle East, delegates move forward to accept the declaration and leave aside paragraphs on which they were unable to agree. The motion was approved by a vote of 51-38. Voting against this motion were Arab and Muslim states and others that sought to include anti-Israel language, and the South African delegate.

Vote to approve compromise language that does not include charge of racism against Israel: