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A case study in U.N. hypocrisy
By Hillel Neuer and Marissa Cramer
Last week, not for the first time, the world witnessed state-sanctioned violence against protesters in Iran and China. Yet the United Nations was instead focused on Israel, due to unprecedented hearings held by a UN inquiry into the Gaza conflict of six months ago. This was precisely the goal of the body that organized the inquiry, the discredited UN Human Rights Council.
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Coming up
Thurs., July 23 at 12 noon Development Committee at AJC office
Saturday- Sunday,
August 29-30
Mexican-American Emerging Leaders Workshop
America's Table
Friday, Nov. 20
AJC's Max Nathan Award Dinner
honoring
Joe Williams
Thurs., Dec. 10
at the Omni Houston Hotel
Board Meetings
Sept. 17 at 11:45 am featuring Dr. Steve Murdock, former US Census czar and professor of sociology at Rice;
Oct. 15 at 8:15 am
Jan. 21 at 11:45 am; March 18 at 8:15 am and Apr 22 at 11:45 am.
Annual meeting May 20
Executive Committee
Sept 3; Nov. 5; Jan. 7 and
March 4
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AJC Attends White House Meeting with Jewish Leaders
"The President could not have been clearer that his primary motivation in seeking to re-energize an Israeli-Palestinian peace process is Israel's long-term security," said AJC in a statement after an hour-long White House meeting with U.S. Jewish leaders. "Nor could he have been clearer in the priority he assigns to building international unity against Iran's drive for nuclear weapons capability." Read news release.
French Justice Minister's Pledge on Halimi Killers
AJC welcomed French Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie's pledge to pursue increased jail terms against 14 members of a gang imprisoned last week for the kidnapping, torture and murder in 2006 of a young Jewish man, Ilan Halimi, in the suburbs of Paris. Youssef Fofana, the gang leader, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Twenty-four others received sentences ranging from six months to eighteen years, provoking widespread criticism in France. Fourteen of the defendants will now be retried. "We applaud Minister Alliot-Marie for responding quickly and decisively to concerns about the sentencing, particularly from Ilan Halimi's family," said AJC.
AJC Exchange with Nokia on Iran
After media reports that technology provided by Nokia Siemens Networks was used to crush demonstrations and collect sensitive information on protestors in Iran, AJC sought clarification from Nokia and Siemens about their policies on trade with Iran. In a letter responding to AJC, Nokia's corporate leadership offered assurances that it complies with all UN, European Union, and U.S. Treasury Department policies. AJC will continue to monitor the role of Western goods and technology in enabling the Iranian regime's repression and pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Where's the Outrage over Iran's Baha'i Show Trial?
AJC urged widespread international condemnation of the show trial of seven members of the Baha'i faith in Iran, who face possible execution on fabricated charges of spying for Israel. "America's leaders, and all people of good will, should demand the release of these seven victims of religious persecution," said AJC. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Baha'i in Iran have been the target of extreme persecution, including torture and arbitrary imprisonment, because of their faith. While Iran now says the trial will be delayed, no date has been set, and the seven remain in jail.
Concern Over New Israeli Rules for Judaism Converts
AJC expressed concern over new rules introduced by Israel's Interior Ministry, which make it increasingly difficult for converts to Judaism to obtain Israeli citizenship. "Israel is the State of the Jewish people, and this fact must also be the guiding principle for its immigration and citizenship policies," said AJC. "The Interior Ministry's new strictures undermine the unity of the Jewish people and needlessly risk a rift between Israel and Diaspora Jewish communities." Under the new rules, converts to Judaism are required to spend an additional nine months in the community in which they converted before being eligible for Israeli citizenship, while converts who have a non-Jewish relative in Israel are barred from citizenship altogether.
Condolences for Murdered Egyptian in Germany
AJC Berlin sent a letter of condolence to Egypt's ambassador to Germany, conveying condolences for the racist murder of Marwa El-Sherbini, an Egyptian immigrant. "The racist and xenophobic background of this vicious crime is of grave concern to us, particularly as the offender had previously slurred Mrs. El-Sherbini as a Muslim woman in a hateful manner," wrote Deidre Berger, director of AJC Berlin. "All forces in society have to engage in a common fight in order to prevent another crime of this magnitude by countering a climate of exclusion, demonization and fear regarding people of other faiths, foreigners and minorities."
AJC Radio Message: Saluting NAACP Centennial
AJC Executive Director David Harris, in his national radio commentary, salutes the NAACP, as the nation's oldest civil rights organization marks its centennial this week.
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Behind the Scenes
AJC is actively engaged in the domestic and international scene as a GLOBAL JEWISH ADVOCACY organization.
Thank you to board members Ronald Charles, Karen Feldman, Kenny Friedman and Shrub Kempner for getting together separately to discuss issues and AJC.
Mitch Jeffrey, press and public affairs consul for the United Kingdom, visited with AJC to discuss a joint Middle East program.
The Chapter is initiating a team concept to reach out to America's third largest diplomatic corps. With diplomats representing more than 90 countries that comprise the City's consular corps, up nearly 10 percent from last year, the Chapter invites diplomats to special events and meets with them on critical issues. Chapter board members who have agreed to serve as team leaders are: Renee Karpas, Bobby Lapin, Jack Lascar, Nat Levy, Dena Palermo, Richard Schechter, Allan Van Fleet and Helene Zadok.
This week's edition of The Economist, (July 9th) has a special report on Lone Star Rising. The analysis charts Houston and Texas' future and assesses a number of issues the Chapter is engaged.
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