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BBE/Foreign Affairs Network denounces the pernicious linkage made by Cardinal Renato Martino |
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Chairman of F.A.N. Yves Kamami: “It seems that he is following the ideas of French far right leader Le Pen.”
Brussels, Belgium – January 9, 2009 – B'nai B'rith Europe denounces the
statement by Cardinal Renato Martino, President of the Pontifical
Council for Justice and Peace in the Roman Catholic Church, made to the
online newspaper Il Sussidiario on Wednesday, January 7, in which he
claimed that the “conditions in Gaza … increasingly resemble a big
concentration camp”. It seems that he is thereby following the ideas of
the racist leader of the French far right Jean-Marie Le Pen, who
believes that the people of Gaza "is concentrated in what is a real
ghetto and concentration camp."
Not only are comparisons of this kind simply wrong, for Israel’s
military action in Gaza is a defensive operation against the
anti-Semitic terrorist organization Hamas and not against the
Palestinian civilian population that is essentially held hostage by
this movement. They also cross the red line between legitimate
criticism and resentment, according to the Working Definition of
Antisemitism of the EU’s and the OSCE’s respective expert monitoring
bodies, which mentions “drawing comparisons between contemporary
Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” as one example in which modern
anti-Semitism manifests itself.
B'nai B'rith Europe expresses its his deep concern following the
interview with Cardinal Martino and recalls both the importance of the
weight of certain words that are used without consideration and the
accountability before history of those who exploit them recklessly.
Represented in 58 countries, B’NAI B’RITH is the world’s largest Jewish
Human Rights, Community action and Humanitarian organisation. B’NAI
BRITH EUROPE is represented in 28 countries throughout Europe.
With its office based in Brussels B’NAI B’RITH is represented at the
European Parliament, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the United
Nations in Geneva and UNESCO in Paris.
The main goals of B’NAI B’RITH are the defence of Human Rights and the
fight against antisemitism, racism and xenophobia, the defence of the
State of Israel, humanitarian relief for the needy in Eastern Europe
and in Israel and action to develop Jewish identity, Jewish culture and
Jewish heritage.
Contact
Phone : +32-2-6469298
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