BREAKING: WJC CALLS ON U.N. TO CONFRONT RACISM
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WJC Friend,

The World Jewish Congress made a resolute plea to the members and observer states of the Human Rights Council – the United Nation’s most important human rights body – to stand firm and united against racism, during an urgent debate at the HRC in Geneva. 

Evoking the historic ties and common struggles linking the Jewish and the African American communities, the WJC reminded the Council of the importance of standing in solidarity with those who are marginalized and discriminated against.  

The very founding story of Judaism, the book of Exodus, describes the liberation of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt; similarly, Black Americans had to fight for emancipation and basic civil rights and to this day must continue the struggle against discrimination and oppression, as would later be embodied in the spiritual “Let My People Go.” 
 
In the statement delivered by WJC representative in Geneva Leon Saltiel, the WJC stressed the importance of affirming the interfaith imperative in the fight against racism, quoting the words of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, who declared “the churches and synagogues have an opportunity and a duty to lift up their voice like a trumpet and declare unto the people the immorality of segregation.“  
 
Reminding the Council that silence is never an option, the WJC urged the international community to also heed the voice of Dr. Rabbi Printz of the World Jewish Congress’ American affiliate, who during the March on Washington stated that "the most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.”  
 
Today, in 2020, we must harken to those voices lifted up in peaceful protest and grapple with a painful past in order to build a better – and hopefully - in the words of the American Founding Fathers – a far more perfect union. 

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Thank you.

WJC