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September 15, 2005
Union
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Expresses Appreciation for Pres.
Bush’s Condemnation of Palestinian
Desecration of Gaza Synagogues;
Welcomes President’s Placing of
Onus on Palestinians
to Demonstrate Governance
in Gaza
Today, the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s
largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – expressed its
appreciation for President Bush’s condemnation of the
desecration of synagogues in Gaza by Palestinians. Addressing a
gala dinner in Washington, in which representatives of the Union
participated, celebrating the 350th anniversary of the American
Jewish community, the President stated:
“When we
find anti-Semitism at home, we will confront it. When we find
anti-Semitism abroad, we will condemn it. And we condemn the
desecration of synagogues in Gaza that followed Israel's
withdrawal.”
Prior to the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the Orthodox Union
had been very concerned about the fate of the synagogues and
petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court and Prime Minister to
ensure they would remain intact and protected. Upon witnessing
their destruction and desecration by Palestinians, Union
executive vice president Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb stated:
“The
destruction of a synagogue is akin to a knife being thrust into
our very being.”
Leaders of the Orthodox Union also welcomed reports that earlier
in the day, in a meeting at the United Nations with Prime
Minister Sharon, President Bush placed responsibility upon the
Palestinian Authority for possible next steps in the region. The
President is reported to have recognized that only by
demonstrating a real capacity for governance in Gaza will the
Palestinian Authority engender a willingness by the United
States to support further diplomatic steps and overtures in the
region.
Orthodox Union Public Policy Chairman Mark Bane stated:
“Once again, but in an even more dramatic fashion than in the
past, Israel has demonstrated its willingness to undertake bold
and painful steps in the pursuit of security and peace. No
reasonable person can ask for Israel to do more without a
concrete demonstration by the Palestinian Authority that it has
the capacity to govern its population through the elimination of
terrorist infrastructures and the development of free and
transparent government institutions. We welcome President Bush’s
leadership in making this perspective visible to the world.”
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