The wind seems to be shifting on Durban II. Following the withdrawals of Canada, the U.S., and Israel, now the EU is mulling a boycott. According to the Jerusalem Post, it is not just the Czech-led EU presidency, which repeatedly voiced its support for Israel’s right to defend itself in the Gaza war, and which now is “very skeptical about the direction the final [Durban II conference] papers” have taken. Anti-Durban themes are being heard from the German foreign minister (“I am in favor of canceling participation in the conference unless the documents are changed substantially within the next hours and days”); as well as the foreign ministers of Italy (whose country will not take part unless “radical changes” are made in the texts to remove “aggressive and anti-Semitic statements”) and the Netherlands (the current text “limits itself to Israel-bashing, anti-Semitism, limiting freedom of speech and other dubious texts”).

At a time when Israel-bashing and anti-Semitism are spinning out of control, some European leaders seem to be, if belatedly, stepping up to the plate.

Next question: When will European leaders learn to address nasty problems before they get so big and threatening?