(Washington, D.C., May 15, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  

We condemn in the strongest terms the arson attack at the Tomb of Esther and Mordechai in Hamedan, Iran Thursday afternoon. There is a direct path from Tehran’s sinister embrace of anti-Semitism to the desecration of this important religious site. 

We call for an investigation by the United Nations into the desecration of the tomb. Ahmed Shaheed, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, authored a report on anti-Semitism in the fall and is familiar with Iran’s deeply entrenched anti-Semitism. We ask that he pursue this matter with great urgency.

The international community must pressure Iran to protect Jewish holy sites.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org.