Resolution On Global Anti-Semitism

Whereas the members of the Rabbinical Assembly are greatly concerned by the persistence and resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world; and

Whereas in the Middle East, leaders have failed to speak out against false and incendiary allegations such as the infamous blood libel, Holocaust denial, and comparisons of Israel and Israeli leaders to Nazis; and

Whereas leaders in the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Jordan have not lived up to their commitments detailed in negotiated agreements to eradicate anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement in the media and in the classroom, and have not begun to seriously educate their children and adult population on Jews, Israel, tolerance, and non-violence;

Whereas there has been a dramatic increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli rhetoric, and incidents in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, Australia, and other countries; and

Whereas there has been a dramatic increase in manifestations of intellectual intolerance on university campuses towards the legitimacy of the State of Israel and the Zionist movement.

Therefore be it resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon government officials, political leaders, religious representatives, academicians, and members of our own communities world-wide to condemn anti-Semitism and to insist that violent attacks against Jewish institutions and individuals and the incitement of such attacks will not be tolerated by civilized society; 

Be it further resolved that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon government officials, political leaders, religious representatives, academicians, and members of our own communities to make it clear that disagreements over the situation in the Middle East, however passionate, must be expressed with language and behavior which does not contribute to anti-Semitism.

Passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Plenum, April, 2003