High-level government representatives and political leaders at last week’s event in Berlin highlighted their concerns about persistent anti-Semitism in the #OSCE region, noting that it poses an ongoing threat to security and stability in the area. Participating States were encouraged to intensify efforts to counter anti-Semitic acts and hate crimes. Ten years ago, the United States, #Canada, and countries from across #Europe held a critical meeting in Berlin to fight a surge in #antiSemitism. I wish I could say this was purely a commemorative meeting to acknowledge what was achieved in the last 10 years, but facts dictate this must be a working meeting focused on resurgent anti-Semitism. First and foremost, this means addressing the rise in violent attacks like those we have witnessed in #Brussels and #Toulouse. I am also concerned about overly restrictive laws or regulations that may make it more difficult for #Jews and #Muslims to practice their faiths, including those relating to circumcision, ritual slaughter, and religious attire. We must break this cycle so that another decade is not lost to hate and instability.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 19:58:39 +0000