Joined by Poway rabbi, Danon calls on world to declare war on anti-Semitism
The United Nations General Assembly discusses anti-Semitism
The United Nations General Assembly met last week to discuss growing anti-Semitism at the initiative of Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, who has enlisted the support of the United States, Canada and European Union countries.
More than 90 countries participated in a discussion that included hundreds of guests from the Jewish community in the United States, as well as from Jewish and pro-Israel organizations.
“The sounds we heard at Pittsburgh and Poway do not allow us to act with restraint,” said Danon, referring to the shootings at the Tree of Life building and Chabad of Poway in Southern California.
“The world’s approach to eradicating anti-Semitism must be like that of modern warfare. It must attack on multiple fronts,” he added.
Danon called on countries to implement legislation to educate their population in identifying anti-Semitism: “Leaders of the world — all the allies of the Jewish people — will take that pledge today, and every day, to fight the war on anti-Semitism until anti-Semitism is gone.”
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was wounded in the shooting attack in Poway, was invited to address the discussion in person.
“In far too many places around the world, Jews are becoming more vulnerable,” he said. “They are paying a shockingly high price to keep themselves safe. Since the horrific attack at our Chabad center, I have made it my personal mission to harness the tools used for spreading darkness and hate for spreading love and light. To fight darkness not with more darkness, but with a great big light.”
The rabbi was accompanied by the daughter and sister of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was murdered in the shooting at the San Diego-area synagogue.
U.N. Secretary General António Guterres opened the discussion by stating, “We must tackle the tsunami of hatred that is so visible and violent across the world today. I guarantee you that I will continue to call out anti-Semitic racism and other forms of hatred loudly and unapologetically.”
Just a week later, several spray-painted swastikas and slurs were found in the San Diego neighborhood of La Jolla on sidewalks, the road, construction signs and houses.
San Diego police are investigating. pjc
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