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April 15, 2004
To: Officers, Rabbis, Key Contacts
From: Richard B. Stone, Chairman
Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International and Communal Affairs
Re: Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004
There is growing concern in our community regarding the rise of
anti-Semitism in countries throughout the world, especially in
Europe. Jews and the State of Israel are continually being
vilified in the media, in international forums and by government
officials. In light of an accompanying rise in incidents of
anti-Semitism including physical attacks on Jews, synagogues, and
Jewish community centers, it is crucial that we support a major
Congressional effort to combat anti-Semitism and prejudice around
the world. While Congress has passed resolutions voicing its deep
concern on this problem in the past, reports about continuing
attacks on synagogues in France, the desecration of Jewish
cemeteries in the FSU, and the recent spate of anti-Semitic
attacks in Canada demand that we take renewed action.
The upcoming conference of the Office of Security and Cooperation
in Europe, specifically convened to address the problem of
anti-Semitism, will be a major step in this battle. Gathering in
Berlin at the end of this month will be many high-level government
officials from the 55 member states of the OSCE who will re-commit
to fighting all aspects of global anti-Semitism and, most
important, to take concrete steps to help eradicate it. The U.S.
delegation will be led by former Mayor Ed Koch. Betty Ehrenberg,
IPA/OU Director of International and Communal Affairs, will be
part of the official US delegation.
Among the most stalwart and vocal fighters against anti-Semitism
is Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) who has been a prominent
figure in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. At a Congressional
hearing held at the beginning of this month, Senator Voinovich
introduced the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004, S.2292, a
bill that urges the United States to continue to strongly support
efforts to highlight anti-Semitism through its relationships with
other countries and international bodies. The legislation requires
the Secretary of State to submit to Congress an annual report on
acts of anti-Semitism worldwide which would describe the nature of
the anti-Semitic acts against Jews and Jewish institutions, and
the responses of the governments to these attacks, including
actions taken. These would include measures to protect their
respective Jewish communities and their right to religious
freedom, as well as efforts to promote tolerance and anti-bias
education.
S.2292, the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 would take
past resolutions passed by the Congress on anti-Semitism further
in its demand to not only document acts of anti-Semitism but to
take concrete steps that would help to stamp it out.
Urgent Action Necessary.
All OU members are asked to call their Senators and urge them to
support and help pass S.2292, the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act
of 2004. It is important to call their attention to the rising
number of anti-Semitic attacks taking place in Europe and other
countries of the world and to the anti-Semitic rhetoric in the
world media and international forums. Emphasis should be put on
the fact that S.2292 would not only call on foreign countries to
denounce anti-Semitism but to take explicit measures to actually
combat it.
Senators can be called at 202-224-3121 – ask for the office of
your Senator. Or write to:
Senator _______________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Tel: 202-224-3121 (Ask for the name of your Senator)
Kindly call us at 212-613-8124 with any questions you may have.
RBS
BE
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