The US has been criticised for pulling out of the world conference against racism in South Africa this evening. Israel has also pulled out of the conference.
"The US is squandering a unique opportunity to stand against intolerance, to take pride in its own successes and to face up to the challenges in the long fight for equality at home and abroad," said The Human Rights Watch group.
Mr Reed Brody, spokesperson for the group added: "This conference presents a unique opportunity for the nations of the world to define, condemn and repair racism and race discrimination. The US should be part of that process, and its absence is a deep disappointment."
The US delegation pulled out of the conference because of the inclusion of defamatory language, especially that used against Israel.
"The conference itself stands condemned by virtue of having been hijacked by extremists for their own political agenda," the Californian Democratic Congressman Mr Tom Lantos told ireland.com.
Mr Lantos strongly blamed "extremists of the Arab world and Islamic world who were unwilling to recognise the purpose of the conference," for the US action. "The US was ready to accept a collective admission for the sins of the past," he added.
Addressing reporters about Israel's decisin to follow the US move, spokesman for the Israeli delegation Mr Alan Baker said: "We came to a conclusion that the conference has been hijacked by people who have absolutely no interest in fighting racism.
"This conference has been hijacked by countries and groups, which pay lip service to the fight against racism but in fact playing to their own irresponsible and hidden agenda.
"We deeply regret that the noble aims of the conference have been perverted and the fight against racism in which we firmly believe has been so gravely undermined."
The World Jewish Congress earlier welcomed the US announcement. Vice president of the organisation, the Lord Janner of Braunstone Q.C. described the events at the conference as "serious attacks on the Jews. Certainly there will be no concession without the US."
It is understood now that the Palestinian delegation is also deliberating on their next move following the US withdrawal.
Earlier Mr Salman El Herfi spokesman for the Palestinian delegation refused to comment on the threat of a possible withdrawal by the Israeli delegation: "It is too early to comment. Let us wait for their statement and then we comment," he said.
The South African government described the withdrawal as "unfortunate". A minister at the presidency said: "The representative of the entire international community are united in their resolve not to be distracted from the conference agenda but to forge ahead with deliberations and discussions which must result in a clear programme of action aimed at pushing back the frontiers of racism."