(Washington, D.C., Dec. 3, 2018)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B’nai B’rith International welcomes the European Union’s (EU) indication that it may deny future support to an annual United Nations General Assembly resolution on Jerusalem if it continues to refer to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s single holiest site, only by its Arabic, Islamic name.
Every year, coinciding with the U.N.’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, U.N. member states vote on multiple anti-Israel resolutions. Among other objectionable content, some of the resolutions effectively deny the historical Jewish connection to foremost holy sites in Jerusalem. This year, as in the past, many European states supported several of these motions.
In a statement at the General Assembly, the EU warned that, beginning next year, it would no longer tolerate resolutions referring to the Temple Mount solely as al-Haram al-Sharif, the site’s Muslim name. The statement said, “The EU stresses the need for language on the holy sites of Jerusalem to reflect the importance and historical significance of the holy sites for the three monotheistic religions, and to respect religious and cultural sensitivities.”
All biased, overtly politicized resolutions at the United Nations deserve to be rejected on their merits, but the EU’s admonition is an important step in the right direction. It must be followed through upon and reiterated, not only by European governments but by all responsible countries, also within other international bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which Palestinians have increasingly exploited to deny Jews’ connection to, and rights in, their ancestral homeland and its capital. This whitewashing of historical truth is a profound affront to Jews, Christians and all people of goodwill, and an added impediment to reconciliation and coexistence.
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
B’nai B’rith International welcomes the European Union’s (EU) indication that it may deny future support to an annual United Nations General Assembly resolution on Jerusalem if it continues to refer to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s single holiest site, only by its Arabic, Islamic name.
Every year, coinciding with the U.N.’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, U.N. member states vote on multiple anti-Israel resolutions. Among other objectionable content, some of the resolutions effectively deny the historical Jewish connection to foremost holy sites in Jerusalem. This year, as in the past, many European states supported several of these motions.
In a statement at the General Assembly, the EU warned that, beginning next year, it would no longer tolerate resolutions referring to the Temple Mount solely as al-Haram al-Sharif, the site’s Muslim name. The statement said, “The EU stresses the need for language on the holy sites of Jerusalem to reflect the importance and historical significance of the holy sites for the three monotheistic religions, and to respect religious and cultural sensitivities.”
All biased, overtly politicized resolutions at the United Nations deserve to be rejected on their merits, but the EU’s admonition is an important step in the right direction. It must be followed through upon and reiterated, not only by European governments but by all responsible countries, also within other international bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which Palestinians have increasingly exploited to deny Jews’ connection to, and rights in, their ancestral homeland and its capital. This whitewashing of historical truth is a profound affront to Jews, Christians and all people of goodwill, and an added impediment to reconciliation and coexistence.
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
