American Jewish Committee (press release)
Dec 4 2009
AJC Decries Shameful Assaults on Christian Clergy in Jerusalem
December 4, 2009 ` New York ` In a letter to Israel’s minister for
public security, AJC expressed dismay over the incidents of some
religious Jews spitting on Christian clergy in the Old City of
Jerusalem. The full text of the letter follows:
Dear Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch:
I write on behalf of the American Jewish Committee to express our
dismay over reports of disgraceful assaults on Christian clergy and
lay people in Jerusalem. It appears, for instance, that some Jews have
made a practice of spitting at Christian clergy in the streets of
Jerusalem. A recent incident involving Armenian clerical seminarians
is simply the latest in a distressing pattern.
We at AJC have long been committed to the values of pluralism and
mutual respect, and are friends of and advocates for the State of
Israel. Needless to say, these actions by a few demonstrate profound
disrespect toward other religions and stand in contrast to Israel’s
fundamental commitment to protect the rights of all its citizens. We
also fear that they may damage Israel’s international image and
jeopardize its important relationships with faith communities around
the world.
We respectfully encourage you take immediate measures to halt this
deplorable behavior. We hope that vigorous enforcement of the law will
succeed in preventing these shameful acts and disciplining those
responsible for them.
Sincerely yours,
David A. Harris
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