Tweet
Targeted News Service
December 12, 2012 Wednesday 3:56 AM EST
Simon Wiesenthal Center Decries Attacks on Christian Religious Sites in Israel
LOS ANGELES
Simon Wiesenthal Center issued the following news release:
The Simon Wiesenthal Center voices its outrage over the recent
desecration of Christian religious sites in Israel, as well as
vandalism of an Arab village.
Overnight, offensive graffiti were painted at an Armenian cemetery and
the Valley of the Cross monastery in Jerusalem. Cars were also
spray-painted and tires slashed at the monastery, and at Shukba, near
Ramallah.
"The desecration of religious sites in a democratic Israel pains us as
Jews as much as it pains the intended victims," said Rabbi Abraham
Cooper, Associate Dean of the Wiesenthal Center. "Our outrage is
mitigated only by the unequivocal response from the highest places in
Israeli society," he continued. He referred to the "Quick expression
of 'disgust' by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and his commitment to
apprehend and prosecute those responsible, and to redoubling Israel's
educational emphasis on its core values of tolerance and respect for
all people."
"The perpetrators added 'Happy Hanukah' slogans in their vandalism,"
remarked Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, the Center's director of
interfaith affairs, "but there was nothing happy and nothing Hanukah
about these attacks. At a time that Jews commemorate winning religious
freedom from their ancient oppressors, they are mindful of not
violating the welcome mat that Israel extends to all other religious
groups. How tragic that while the vast majority of Jews celebrate
their own religious values, misguided people would resort to such ugly
and un-Jewish tactics."
For further information, contact the Center's Public Relations
department at 310.553.9036, join the Center on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, or follow @simonwiesenthal for
news updates sent direct to your Twitter page or mobile device.
From: A. Papazian
December 12, 2012 Wednesday 3:56 AM EST
Simon Wiesenthal Center Decries Attacks on Christian Religious Sites in Israel
LOS ANGELES
Simon Wiesenthal Center issued the following news release:
The Simon Wiesenthal Center voices its outrage over the recent
desecration of Christian religious sites in Israel, as well as
vandalism of an Arab village.
Overnight, offensive graffiti were painted at an Armenian cemetery and
the Valley of the Cross monastery in Jerusalem. Cars were also
spray-painted and tires slashed at the monastery, and at Shukba, near
Ramallah.
"The desecration of religious sites in a democratic Israel pains us as
Jews as much as it pains the intended victims," said Rabbi Abraham
Cooper, Associate Dean of the Wiesenthal Center. "Our outrage is
mitigated only by the unequivocal response from the highest places in
Israeli society," he continued. He referred to the "Quick expression
of 'disgust' by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and his commitment to
apprehend and prosecute those responsible, and to redoubling Israel's
educational emphasis on its core values of tolerance and respect for
all people."
"The perpetrators added 'Happy Hanukah' slogans in their vandalism,"
remarked Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, the Center's director of
interfaith affairs, "but there was nothing happy and nothing Hanukah
about these attacks. At a time that Jews commemorate winning religious
freedom from their ancient oppressors, they are mindful of not
violating the welcome mat that Israel extends to all other religious
groups. How tragic that while the vast majority of Jews celebrate
their own religious values, misguided people would resort to such ugly
and un-Jewish tactics."
For further information, contact the Center's Public Relations
department at 310.553.9036, join the Center on Facebook,
www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, or follow @simonwiesenthal for
news updates sent direct to your Twitter page or mobile device.
From: A. Papazian