|
June 18, 2004
OU
Testifies at Helsinki Commission Hearing on Anti-Semitism
The Institute for Public
Affairs of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America
testified at a hearing held this week by the United States
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to assess the
results of the historic April 2004 Berlin Conference on
anti-Semitism organized by the OSCE. The Helsinki Commission
hearing, led by Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Rep. Ben Cardin
(D-MD), examined the outcome of the Berlin Conference, focusing on
what steps the OSCE can reasonably be expected to undertake to
promote the implementation of the commitments highlighted in the
Berlin Declaration. Testifying for the Commission were Rep. Tom
Lantos; Minister Natan Sharansky; Betty Ehrenberg, IPA/OU; Jay
Lefkowitz, Washington attorney; and Fred Zeidman, Chairman, U.S.
Holocaust Memorial Council. Other witnesses included Conference of
Presidents, AJC, ADL, NCSJ, B’nai Brith, and Simon Weisenthal
Center.
In her testimony,
Ehrenberg said that “The Berlin Declaration was a groundbreaking
example of countries willing to re-commit themselves to protect
human rights and fighting anti-Semitism. Their pledge to take
concrete steps to fight anti-Semitism in their countries
highlights the growing threat that anti-Semitism presents. Today,
the increase of terrorism and the development of weapons of mass
destruction by rogue states combined with the demonization of the
Jews and Israel yields a combination of very volatile elements. In
light of this unprecedented situation, the Berlin Declaration,
which condemns all manifestations of anti-Semitism, is all the
more timely and significant. The presence of Secretary Colin
Powell at the Conference demonstrated America’s determination to
take the lead in reversing this alarming trend.” Ehrenberg added,
“One of the most important results of the Conference was the
declaration that political developments in Israel and the Middle
East never justify anti-Semitism. Singling out Israel for blame by
the international community by ignoring the most deplorable human
rights records of others is a double standard that cannot be
allowed to exist.”
Commission leaders Smith, Cardin, and Nighthorse Campbell recently
introduced resolutions in the House and Senate encouraging the
ongoing work of the OSCE in combating anti-Semitism.
The IPA/OU is pressing for the passage of
H.Con.Res.425 and S.Con.Res.110 which demand that all
participant states track data on incidents of anti-Semitism and
other hate crimes and make these reports public. They also call
for the designation of a high level special OSCE envoy to ensure
that the OSCE member states will indeed adhere to the commitments
made in Berlin.
- 30 -
|
