Orthodox Union Condemns Violence in the Mideast

14 Sep 2012

ORTHODOX UNION CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN THE MIDEAST;
CALLS FOR PRAYERS FOR AMERICAN DIPLOMATS SERVING ACROSS THE WORLD

Today, the leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – issued the following statement today:

The leadership of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America condemns the recent acts of violence in Libya, Egypt and elsewhere in the Mideast. Such wanton, unjustified violence in the name of religious belief cannot, under any circumstances, be condoned or accepted. When religion is twisted in this fashion, good people of all faiths must rise in condemnation. Whether this murderous attack was premeditated or in reaction to a profoundly offensive anti-Islam film, nothing justifies the violence and killings of an innocent U.S. diplomat and embassy personnel.

We also extend our deep sympathies to the family of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other embassy staffers murdered during the recent horrific attacks on the United States Consulates in Libya and Egypt.

When our congregations will gather in prayer this Shabbat, we call upon them to include a prayer for the safety and welfare of American diplomats serving abroad within their prayers for the safety and welfare of America’s military soldiers serving abroad. We saw vividly this week that they too are on the front lines of freedom.

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