Press Release - 05.10.2004

 

 

NCSJ Welcomes Senate Passage for New Global Anti-Semitism Report

Contact: Shai Franklin, NCSJ (202-898-2500)

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May 10, 2004 – NCSJ welcomes last Friday’s passage in the U.S. Senate of a bill mandating a global assessment of anti-Semitism. With a November 15 deadline for completion, the report will detail anti-Semitic acts in each country together with each government’s response to these acts and to anti-Semitism generally.

“We are especially grateful to Senator George Voinovich for introducing this bill, and to his 24 cosponsors in the Senate,” said Dr. Robert J. Meth, NCSJ Chairman. “Senator Voinovich, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the U.S. Helsinki Commission, have been instrumental in shaping the U.S. response to anti-Semitism globally, and in Europe and the former Soviet Union. Just days ago, we were in Berlin for the international conference on anti-Semitism, sponsored by the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe], and this new law testifies to the resolute response of the United States.” Information and updates on the Berlin conference are available online at http://Berlin2004.org.

Dr. Joel M. Schindler, NCSJ President, noted: “At the Foreign Relations Committee hearing held last month on European responses to anti-Semitism, NCSJ testified strongly in support of the Voinovich bill in addition to reporting on numerous examples of constructive response to anti-Semitism in the post-Soviet successor states. It shows our allies and others around the world that America is serious about implementing the OSCE decisions on collecting data, that we hold governments accountable and also recognize those taking appropriate action.” The Materials relating to the Senate hearing are available online at http://ncsj.org/AuxPages/040804Hearing.shtml.

Mark B. Levin, NCSJ Executive Director, praised the close cooperation between Congress and the Executive Branch: “Our colleagues in the State Department and White House have shown outstanding skill and commitment in carrying this process forward. This new law promises to give additional teeth to the U.S. commitment, and will provide the first consistent government-level account of performance around the world. We look forward to seeing this enacted as soon as a House version is passed.”

Two related bills have already been introduced in the House: House Resolutions 4214 and 4230. Texts of all three bills are available online at http://ncsj.org/AuxPages/042604A-S_bills.shtml.

NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia – a voluntary, non-profit agency created in 1971 - is the mandated central coordinating agency of the organized American Jewish community for policy and activities on behalf of the estimated 1.5 million Jews in the former Soviet Union. NCSJ comprises nearly 50 national organizations and over 300 local federations, community councils and committees across the United States. Through this extensive network, NCSJ mobilizes the resources, energies and talents of millions of U.S. citizens, and also represents the American Jewish community in dealings with similar national groups abroad, and at international fora.

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