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July 10, 2002
The Orthodox
Union Applauds Passage of Resolutions Protesting Anti-Semitism in
Europe
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of
America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish synagogue
organization, today praised the unanimous passage of a resolution
authored by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) addressing the
alarming rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. This resolution, H.
Res. 393, calls upon European governments to acknowledge publicly
the anti-Semitic character of the attacks and to utilize the full
power of law enforcement tools to punish those who commit acts of
anti-Semitism.
Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and
Communal Affairs, said, “We praise Congressman Joseph Crowley
(D-NY) for his introduction of this important resolution. The
Institute for Public Affairs of the Orthodox Union was actively
engaged in marshalling support for this initiative, H. Res. 393,
and for S. Res. 248, a similar resolution in the Senate introduced
by Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Hillary
Clinton (D-NY), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) which was also passed
unanimously.
“The IPA is deeply concerned about the spread
of anti-Semitism in Europe which has been affecting international
Jewry since September 2000, particularly in Germany, France, and
Belgium. Synagogues and Jewish schools in France have been
firebombed and destroyed, and Jews have been suffering physical
assaults on streets. This has been exacerbated by the hostility
expressed towards Israel by European state and government
officials as well as the negative media coverage of the Middle
East on the part of European media outlets. The IPA has met with
the leadership of many European Jewish communities to discuss ways
of combating anti-Semitism and ensuring the security of Jewish
institutions.
“We thank Congressman Crowley and Senators
Smith, Schumer, Clinton, and Hatch for introducing and passing H.
Res. 393 and S. Res. 248 and reiterate the call on the governments
of Europe to ensure the safety and well-being of their respective
Jewish communities and to make a concerted effort to cultivate an
atmosphere of calm and reconciliation among all citizens.”
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Union of Orthodox
Jewish Congregations of America
Institute for Public Affairs
Main Office:
11 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-613-8124
Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail:
ipa@ou.org |
Washington Office:
800 Eighth Street, N.W.
Suite 318
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: 202-513-6484
Fax: 202-289-8936
E-mail: ipadc@ou.org |
Prof.
Richard Stone, Chairman
Nathan Diament, Director
Betty Ehrenberg, Director, International
Affairs & Communal Relations
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