Focus Areas > Intergroup Relations > Response to Holocaust Denial
JCRC Statements on Holocaust Denial Conference and Use of Koran in swearing in ceremony .
- JCRC Statement on Holocaust Denial Conference
- Statement on Use of Koran in Swearing in Ceremony
JCRC Statement on Holocaust Denial Conference
The Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community, expresses its outrage at the recent conference for Holocaust deniers held in Iran. This forum was yet another blatant and deeply offensive display of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's profound hatred of Israel and the Jewish people.
One might simply discount a conference featuring former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and a motley group of European apologists for the Third Reich. That would be a mistake. And turning away in revulsion from such a perverse assembly is not a sufficient response.
What we see in Iran is an obscene exhibition of anti-Semitism in its newest manifestation, which denies the right not only of the Jewish people to exist, but threatens the Jewish state as well. The Iranian president's actions and words serve as chilling reminders of the danger in allowing this regime to pursue its development of nuclear weapons.
Anti-Semitism is a threat not limited to Judaism and Jews; it is a threat to democracy and decency. Defenders of democracy and decency must make their voices heard.
Terry Bloomberg, President
Jewish Community Relations Council
Batya Abramson-Goldstein, Executive Director
Jewish Community Relations Council
Statement of Use of Koran in Swearing in Ceremony
The Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs arm of the organized St. Louis Jewish community, issued a statement sharply criticizing Representative Virgil Goode (R-VA) for distributing an objectionable letter to his constituents. In the letter, Rep. Goode denounces congressman-elect Keith Ellison’s decision to use a Quran at his private swearing in and conveys a strong anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim attitude.
The Jewish Community Relations Council is appalled by Rep. Virgil Goode’s bigoted rhetoric and unacceptable intolerance towards immigrants, Muslim-Americans and Islam itself.
The only reference to religion in the Articles of our Constitution is a prohibition against religious tests for office. The First Amendment adds both a freedom from religious establishment and a freedom of religious exercise. Together, these ensure Congressman-elect Keith Ellison’s unquestionable Constitutional right to use a Quran during his swearing-in ceremony. To state otherwise, flies in the face of the values that all Americans should hold dear. We stand wholeheartedly behind Mr. Ellison’s decision to use the book of his faith as he takes his oath to become a United States Representative.
Ours is a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom. Rep. Goode’s words hurt not just Muslims, but all Americans.
For the same reasons, we are shocked that radio talk show host Dennis Prager, a member of the Holocaust Memorial Council, expressed similar intolerant views against Muslims and Islam. We believe that the Council took appropriate steps by deeming Mr. Prager’s statements to be ‘antithetical to the mission of the Museum as an institution promoting tolerance and respect for all peoples regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity.’
We urge both Rep. Goode and Mr. Prager to revaluate their statements and apologize for disseminating such prejudiced remarks.”
Terry Bloomberg, President
Jewish Community Relations Council
Batya Abramson-Goldstein, Executive Director
Jewish Community Relations Council
