B'nai B'rith International
  • About Us
    • 175th Anniversary >
      • Timeline
    • Annual Report >
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
      • 990 Forms
    • Presidents Book
    • Around the World >
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Canada
      • Cuba
      • Europe
      • Israel
      • Latin America >
        • Argentina
        • Brazil
        • Chile, Bolivia and Peru >
          • Anti-Semitism Forum in Santiago 2019
        • Northern Latin America and the Caribbean
        • Organization of American States (OAS)
        • Uruguay and Paraguay
      • South Africa
      • United States >
        • Allegheny/Ohio Valley
        • Chesapeake Bay
        • Colorado
        • Evergreen
        • Golden Pacific
        • Great Lakes >
          • B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Scholarship Program
        • Greater Florida
        • Kentucky
        • Liberty
        • MetroNorth
        • Midwest
        • New England
        • North Central
        • Southern California >
          • Knesset B'nai B'rith
        • Omaha, Nebraska
        • Southern Communities >
          • Atlanta, Georgia
        • St. Louis, Missouri
        • Texarkoma
        • Tri-State
    • Departments & Careers
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • 2020 National Healthcare Award
      • 2020 B'nai B'rith Leadership Forum
      • Jewish Holiday Calendar
      • Continuing Education
    • Insurance Programs
    • Leadership
    • Programs >
      • BBRAVO
      • For Communities >
        • Project H.O.P.E.
      • For Culture and Education >
        • Unto Every Person
        • Center For Jewish Identity
        • Enlighten America
        • Museum and Archives >
          • B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum® Collection
          • Holocaust Art Resource List
          • Palestine Mandate Coins
        • Smarter Kids - Safer Kids
      • For Kids >
        • B'nai B'rith Cares for Kids
        • Diverse Minds
    • Senior Staff
    • B'nai B'rith Connect >
      • B'nai B'rith Connect Fall 2019 Newsletter
      • Past Connect Events
    • Privacy Policy
  • Global Advocacy
    • Take Action!
    • Anti-Semitism / None Shall Be Afraid >
      • About None Shall Be Afraid
      • B'nai B'rith on the Front Lines
      • Resources
      • Students Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism Contest
      • Take Our Pledge
    • AJIRI-BBI
    • IMPACT: Emerging Leaders Fellowship
    • Intercommunal Affairs
    • Tolerance and Diversity
    • Europe
    • Latin America
    • Canada
    • Israel and The Middle East
    • United Nations
    • United States
  • Israel
    • World Center – Jerusalem >
      • Sally Bein
    • Israel and the Middle East
    • Israel Emergency Fund
    • Fighting BDS
    • History in Israel
    • Center Stage 2020
    • Previous Center Stage Editions
    • Jewish Rescuers Citation >
      • Jewish Rescue
  • Seniors
    • CSS Response to COVID-19
    • Virtual Trainings
    • CSS Advocacy
    • 50 Years of Senior Housing
    • B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network Timeline >
      • Wilkes-Barre
      • Harrisburg, Pa.
      • St. Louis, Mo.
      • Reading, Pa.
      • Silver Spring, Md.
      • Allentown, Pa.
      • Peoria, Ill.
      • Houston, Texas
      • Claymont, Del.
      • Pasadena, Texas
      • Boston, Mass.
      • Hot Springs, Ark.
      • Queens, N.Y.
      • Scranton, Pa.
      • Fort Worth, Texas
      • Deerfield Beach, Fla.
      • Sheboygan, Wis.
      • Schenectady, N.Y.
      • South Orange, N.J.
      • Bronx, N.Y.
      • Tuscon, Ariz. - B'nai B'rith Covenant House
      • Marlton, N.J.
      • Los Angeles, Calif.
      • New Haven, Conn.
      • Chesilhurst, N.J.
      • Tucson, Ariz. - Gerd & Inge Strauss B'nai B'rith Manor on Pantano
      • Dothan, Ala.
      • Sudbury, Mass.
    • CSS Staff Bios
    • B'nai B'rith Resident Leadership Retreat
    • CSS Puerto Rico Meeting 2019
    • Housing Locations
    • Seniority Report Newsletter
  • Humanitarian Aid
    • Community Support
    • Cuba Relief >
      • Cuba Missions
      • Get Involved
      • Cuba Blog
      • Where We Work
      • Cuba History
    • Disaster Relief >
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Haiti
      • Latin America
      • United States >
        • SBP-New York Thanks B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief
  • News & Media
    • B'nai B'rith Impact
    • B'nai B'rith Magazine >
      • 2020 Winter B'nai B'rith Magazine
      • Magazine Archives
      • Past Magazine Articles
    • Expert Analysis >
      • Policy and Advocacy
      • Israel
      • Seniors
      • Jewish Identity
      • Community Action
    • In the News
    • Sign Up For B'nai B'rith Email Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars and Conversations
    • Zero.Dot.Two Initiative
  • Partner with Us
    • B'nai B'rith Today
    • Give to B'nai B'rith
    • Membership
    • Planned Giving & Endowments >
      • Bequests
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
      • Donor Testimonials
    • Giving >
      • Donate Stock
      • Foundations & Corporate Giving
      • Tribute Cards
      • Shop AmazonSmile
      • Purchase B'nai B'rith Apparel
    • Disaster Relief
    • Tree Of Life
    • Contact Form
  • B'nai B'rith Extra
    • Content For You
    • Upcoming Events

Media Coverage of B'nai B'rith Mission to Israel for Ambassadors from the U.N.

11/27/2019

Comments

 
Please see below coverage of our recent mission to Israel for ambassadors from the United Nations in Geneva:

Jerusalem Post

Ynet

Diplomacy

The Jewish Traveler: https://www.jewishtraveler.co.il/forum-helvetic-1119/ and https://www.jewishtraveler.co.il/bnei-brith-forum-1119/

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Comments

JNS.org: Jewish, Israel-related groups react to U.S. announcement on settlements

11/19/2019

Comments

 
JNS cited B'nai B'rith International's response to the news of United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's announcement that the U.S. would not view settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law. 
Read on JNS.org

​Several Jewish and Israel-related groups quickly reacted to the major announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that it would no longer view Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria as illegal under international law.

“We applaud the administration’s decision to rescind the assertion that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law,” B’nai B’rith International CEO Daniel Mariaschin told JNS. “U.N. resolutions 242 and 338 laid the groundwork for a solution to the Middle East conflict in which the parties would negotiate directly with each other over land, rather than return to 1949 or 1967 boundaries that were neither secure nor mutually recognized. The false characterization of Israel’s presence in parts of the West Bank as ‘illegal’ only prejudged the outcome of future negotiations and was an impediment to the peace process.”

“After carefully studying all sides of the legal debate,” Pompeo told reporters at the State Department on Monday, the United States has concluded that “the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not, per se, inconsistent with international law.”

“Calling the establishment of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law hasn’t worked. It hasn’t advanced the cause of peace,” he said. “The hard truth is that there will never be a judicial resolution to the conflict, and arguments about who is right and who is wrong as a matter of international law will not bring peace.”

He further noted that the ultimate status of these neighborhoods must be decided by Israelis and Palestinians.

Other groups, including the Zionist Organization of America and Christians United for Israel, applauded the announcement, while J Street and the Israel Policy Forum slammed it.

The ZOA lauded Pompeo for “rescinding the Orwellian, anti-Semitic lie that’s Jews can’t legally build in Judea Samaria, while Arabs can. There was never an Arab country called Palestine—no Palestinian Arab kings and queens,” the organization’s president, Mort Klein, told JNS.

He added that “Jewish communities there comprise less than 2 percent of all of Judea-Samaria. The fact that the Arabs have rejected statehood offers three times in the last 19 years proves the Arab war against Israel is not about ‘settlements,’ but a rejection of Israel’s existence within any borders.”

“CUFI did not agree with the Hansell Memorandum’s conclusion, and we welcome its revocation,” the organization told JNS. “Our policy of not taking a position on final-status issues remains unchanged.”

Republican Jewish Coalition executive director Matt Brooks tweeted, “@realDonaldTrump THANK YOU for your decision to reverse US policy regarding #Israel settlements. You are the MOST PRO ISRAEL PRESIDENT in history.”

Sarah Stern, founder and president of the Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET), told JNS that “what has stood at the very core of the problem of the lack of progress towards peace is the Palestinian reluctance to recognize any border, even the 1948 border, or the 1949 armistice lines, as legitimate and the failure on the part of the Palestinians to recognize the existence of a Jewish state, anywhere. That is why, to this very day, their textbooks show that all of Israel, even within the pre-1967 borders, is ‘Palestine.’”

Announcement gives ‘carte blanche’ to settlement expansion

Liberal Jewish and Israel-related groups panned the announcement by Pompeo.

J Street said it views the move as an obstacle to peace by the Trump administration, as well as a way to boost Netanyahu as his Likud Party has struggled to form a governing coalition following the second Israeli election this year.

“With their actions and rhetoric, the president and his advisers have given the Israeli government carte blanche to expand settlements, entrench occupation and move towards formal annexation of the West Bank,” said J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami in a statement. “By discarding decades of bipartisan U.S. policy and flagrantly disregarding international law, they are trampling on the rights of Palestinians and helping the Israeli right-wing to destroy Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.”

Jewish Democratic Council of America executive director Halie Soifer echoed J Street’s reaction.

“@SecPompeo’s reversal of decades of U.S. policy is a green light for Israeli annexation of the West Bank, which will permanently impede prospects for a two state solution. @realDonaldTrump doesn’t understand what it means to be pro-Israel & Jewish voters reject his recklessness,” she tweeted.

Finally, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee issued a neutral statement to the announcement.
“AIPAC does not take a position on settlements. We believe settlements should be an issue for direct negotiations between the parties, not something determined by international bodies. The Palestinians must stop their boycott of US & Israeli officials and return to direct talks,” tweeted AIPAC.

“The revised U.S. position announced today by Secretary Pompeo relates to a question of international law, which has been repeatedly used as a weapon against Israel on the world stage,” said American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris in a statement. “We hope the policy shift will prompt a long overdue correction in international perceptions.”
​
However, continued Harris, “We trust it will not serve as a predicate for increased settlement activity beyond the established blocs widely expected to be recognized as part of Israel in any conceivable two-state compromise.”
Comments

JNS: Jewish, pro-Israel leaders react to massive rockets fire from Gaza

11/12/2019

Comments

 
JNS.org quoted B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin in its coverage of rocket attacks from Gaza that targeted southern Israel. 
Read on JNS.org
(November 12, 2019 / JNS) Jewish and pro-Israel organizations condemned the rockets fired from Gaza into Israel on Tuesday, following the latter assassinating Palestinian Islamic Jihad senior leader Baha abu al-Ata in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

“Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an Islamist terrorist org backed by Iran, is again attacking Israel with 100’s of missiles aimed at civilians. We stand w our friend & ally Israel at this critical moment & support Israel’s right to defend itself & bring an end to these barbaric attacks,” tweeted U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

“The U.S. fully supports our partner & ally Israel in their fight against terrorism and the terrorist group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ),” tweeted U.S. special envoy to the Mideast Avi Berkowitz. “The Administration strongly condemns the barrage of rockets on Israeli civilians and continues to monitor the situation. It’s clear that the main obstacles holding Gazans back are Hamas and PIJ who put violence ahead of bettering the lives of the people of Gaza.”

“Palestinian Islamic Jihad is an Iranian-backed terrorist group. Its goal is to destroy Israel. It operates in Gaza, targets Israel with rockets & puts countless Israeli and Palestinian lives at risk. Last night in a precision strike, Israel took down a leader of the terror group. … The group is trying to kill and terrorize Israelis by indiscriminately firing at Israeli cities and towns,” tweeted AIPAC.

In a statement, J Street said it is “deeply concerned by the latest escalation between extremist militants in Gaza and Israel, in which the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has launched a barrage of rocket attacks against Israel following an IDF operation that killed a senior PIJ leader. We strongly condemn these rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. At this time, our thoughts are with the residents of southern and central Israel, with the IDF forces working to keep them safe and with all civilians on both sides of the divide.”

“We support Israel’s right to defend itself against acts of terror. We also urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders and the international community to take all possible steps to prevent a further escalation of armed conflict,” continued J Street. “Time and again, we have seen such escalations fail to resolve this conflict in any way, and instead lead to greater suffering and instability both for Israelis and for the people of Gaza.”

“Our thoughts are with the people of Israel who have been subjected to 150+ rocket attacks from the Iranian-backed, Islamic Jihad in Gaza since early morning. We stand in solidarity with Israel and the thousands in bomb shelters. We hope tensions will deescalate quickly,” tweeted the Anti-Defamation League.

“Once again, Israelis are being barraged by rocket attacks from Gaza, which have caused schools to close in much of the country and disrupted life for millions,” Jewish Federation of North America spokesperson Rebecca Dinar told JNS. “Federations stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel’s resilient citizens across the nation and send prayers for peace.”
Schools and certain public buildings in the Tel Aviv area and southern Israel were closed as a result of the rocket attacks.
Jewish Community Relations Council spokesperson Jeremy Russell told JNS his organization is “deeply concerned about the attacks targeting Israeli civilians this morning, and our thoughts are with the people of Israel as they once again face an onslaught of indiscriminate rocket fire—this time aimed at cities and towns—from terrorist groups in Gaza. We hope that a cease-fire can be arranged quickly and without further suffering.”

“The terror campaign by Tehran-backed Islamic Jihad underscores once again Palestinian and Iranian intention to sow chaos in the region,” B’nai B’rith International CEO Dan Mariaschin told JNS. “No nation would tolerate such attacks. Where is the global outcry against this terror campaign?”

“Praying for the safety of Israelis under rocket attack and thankful for the strong defenses that keep the nation safe. May these attacks end and peace and security be restored swiftly,” tweeted Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center, the political arm of Reform Judaism.

“We stand with the Israeli people and strongly condemn the more than 150 rockets fired on Israel from Gaza in the past 12 hours. We’re also grateful for the Iron Dome missile defense system, which is saving countless lives in Israel,” tweeted the Jewish Democratic Council of America.

“Last night, in a surgical strike, Israel killed the commander of a terrorist group who was responsible for scores of terrorists acts and was about to launch more,” said Democratic Majority for Israel president and CEO Mark Mellman in a statement. “Fortunately, civilians were not killed in the airstrike, which prevented imminent terrorist attacks.”

He added, “All people of good will should join in publicly condemning these attacks and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Republican Jewish Coalition spokesperson Neil Strauss simply told JNS, “We condemn PIJ and strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Jewish Community Relations Council spokesperson Jeremy Russell told JNS his organization is “deeply concerned about the attacks targeting Israeli civilians this morning, and our thoughts are with the people of Israel as they once again face an onslaught of indiscriminate rocket fire—this time aimed at cities and towns—from terrorist groups in Gaza. We hope that a cease-fire can be arranged quickly and without further suffering.”

In terms of ending the rocket fire, U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov is expected to arrive in the Egyptian capital of Cairo to launch negotiations, reported Israeli media outlet Kann.

Reactions from Congress

Members of Congress, including Jewish ones, reacted to the latest between Gaza and Israel.

“Rockets from Islamic Jihad continue to hit Israel, following Israeli operation to kill terrorist leader. This indiscriminate rocket fire against civilians must be condemned. Israel has the absolute right to protect its people from these attacks,” tweeted Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.).

“Today, more than 150 rockets have been fired into Israeli communities by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. I condemn these indiscriminate attacks that have injured civilians, & fully support our ally Israel & its right to defend itself against these attacks,” tweeted Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.).

“Israel has a sovereign right to defend her citizens from indiscriminate terrorist attacks. She experienced 100+ rockets launched at civilians today. I just led a bipartisan Israel trip w/ Congresswomen to deliver a commitment to Israel’s safety & security,” tweeted Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).

“Nearly 200 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel today, indiscriminately putting Israeli civilians in danger as schools and shopping centers have had to close. Israel has a right to protect its citizens and defend itself, and such terrorism deserves full condemnation,” tweeted Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).
Comments

I Kathimerini: Israel-Hellenic Forum to hold first meeting in Jerusalem

11/8/2019

Comments

 
Greek newspaper I Kathimerini ​covered the upcoming Israel-Hellenic Forum, established by the B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem. 
Read on I Kathimerini
The Israel-Hellenic Forum will hold its first gathering between November 12-14 in Jerusalem.

More than 30 prominent journalists and academics from Greece and Cyprus will take part in the meeting, which will include sessions on the strategic importance of regional alliances, economic developments in the wider area, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, US-Israeli ties, Israel’s relationship with Arab states, Greek-Jewish relations, innovation, tourism and humanitarian aid.

Established by the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem, the Israel-Hellenic Forum aims to bring together Israeli, Greek, Cypriot and other related academics, intellectuals and public figures who support closer ties between the three countries.

“It is our firm belief that the challenges facing Israel, Greece and Cyprus make it incumbent upon those who seek to promote a peaceful, inclusive and tolerant eastern Mediterranean to promote this notion to civil society, in academia and to the public at large,” B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider said.
Comments

Cleveland Jewish News: Jewish community, Pennsylvania governor reflect one year after Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

11/7/2019

Comments

 
The Cleveland Jewish News included B'nai B'rith's Pittsburgh Healing Fund in its coverage of the one-year anniversary of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. 
Read at the Cleveland Jewish News

Almost a year since the Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the Jewish community has continued to offer reflections on the deadliest attack in American Jewish history.

“We observe on Sunday the anniversary of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in American history, in which 11 innocent people were murdered simply because they were Jews,” said the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations in a statement. “We mourn the lives lost and the senseless carnage wrought one year ago. We stand in solidarity with the family and friends of those killed and injured, and the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community.”

“This tragedy ended the age of innocence for American Jewry. It can no longer be said that we are immune to the pandemic of anti-Semitism,” the statement continued. “We must learn from this tragedy and work to prevent further occurrences. Security at all communal institutions including synagogues, schools and centers must be enhanced while we maintain them as inviting and open facilities.”

The organization added, “As we mark this solemn occasion, words and condolences are not enough. There must be action from all sectors of government and society. Jews and non-Jews alike must unite against anti-Semitism in all its forms, at home and abroad, if the increasingly urgent threat of global Jew-hatred is to be confronted.”

B’nai B’rith International has raised money for its Pittsburgh Healing Fund and will be distributing the funds towards mental-health support for survivors and a program to assist first responders, including organizations such as the Jewish Family and Children Services of Pittsburgh.

The B’nai B’rith fund will also support a program to assist first responders.

“All Americans, including American Jews, have the right to expect our centers of worship to be safe havens where we can connect at once with our fellow faithful and the Divine,” said the Simon Wiesenthal Center in a statement. “It brings us great sadness that after that terrible day, so many Jews no longer feel safe in these precious and sacred gathering places.”
“Things have gotten worse, not better, since Pittsburgh. We will continue to fight this rising tide, partnering with our allies in law enforcement, education, the clergy and government,” continued SWC. “But what is most needed is the involvement of good-hearted people in every city, town, church and school who recognize the manifestations of anti-Semitism, both obvious and subtle, and are willing to speak up and say: No, not here, not with our children, not in our community.”

Responding to calls for more safety provisions, Pennsylvania state lawmakers included $3.2 million in funding and expanded safety opportunities for at-risk schools in the FY 2019-20 budget. Pennsylvania was the first state in the nation to fund security personnel at nonpublic schools through the Safe Schools Targeted Grant Program and now, nearly five years later, the Commonwealth has expanded safety provisions to include security equipment and programs grants.

The police officers who were wounded in the shooting, who have since been back at work, have expressed appreciation to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community for its support.

’We need to stop violence using every tool possible’

“It’s difficult to believe a year as passed since the shooting at Tree of Life synagogue,” Gov. Tom Wolf told JNS. “I’ve carried sorrow for the victims, their families and the community as I sought to understand why this heinous attack occurred and how we can prevent anything like it from ever occurring again.”

Wolf honored the shooting’s victims last month while visiting Auschwitz in Poland, where he wrote their names in the memorial site’s guestbook. He also went to the Holocaust memorial in the Lithuanian town of Paneriai, where 70,000 Jews were killed. At each site, the governor carried the mezuzah that was on the office door of Tree of Life rabbi Jeffrey Myers.
The ornate mezuzah snapped when police broke down the door of the synagogue in their rescue efforts and to stop the suspect, Robert Bowers. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against him.

Wolf has signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 27 as an official day of remembrance, ordering state flags to half-staff one year after the attack. While state flags will be at half-staff, the U.S. flag will remain at full-staff.

“The shooting at Tree of Life synagogue revealed hate here in Pennsylvania. We need to do everything we can to stop it before it grows,” said Wolf. “We need to work together to prevent Pennsylvanians from being attacked due to bigotry, and we need to stop violence using every tool possible. That includes everything from programs supporting tolerance to legislation preventing future shootings.”

The synagogue has announced that it will reopen and continue to use the building as a place of worship. It will also utilize the space for classrooms, exhibits, social events and include a memorial to commemorate the lives lost in the mass shooting.
​
A date for the reopening has yet to be set. The building has not been in use since the shooting.

Comments

Philippe Meyer in "Actualité Juive" -- Defending Secularism is Daring to Name Things

11/6/2019

Comments

 
B'nai B'rith France President Philippe Meyer wrote the following op-ed "Defending Secularism is Daring to Name Things" for the French Jewish community newspaper Actualité Juive.

​It is not enough to say that the question of the veil has recently occupied the media debate, to the point of excess. The political instrumentalization for some, the misleading pretext of victimization for others, there is of course nothing convincing and reassuring as these sterile discussions finally have the effects that we know about the undermining values ​​of the Republic whose secularism is an essential component.
 
This complex debate on secularism conveys irresponsible fantasies and dangerous counter-truths if it is allowed to be monopolized by unconvinced but obvious minds. It goes well beyond the question of the wearing of a veil by accompanying students of school trips. It has been a long time since French legislation decided on the essential for the respect of laïcité as it has always been inscribed in our republican tradition, namely the prohibition of any ostentatious religious sign within the spaces of the Republic and in other very specific cases concerning, in particular, the burqa or the full veil which distorts the status of women in our society. Things are clear and do not justify unnecessary discussions.
 
What is needed on these issues is both the firmness of the principles and the correctness and courage on how to express them in view of the importance of its issues. In fact, this debate is now partly misguided. What poses a problem is not secularism itself, nor the law of 1905, even if some alterations can be envisaged, but the non-respect of the founding principles of this French secularism, so important for the cohesion of our society, by certain groups or movements from political and radical Islamism seeking to impose politically their unacceptable vision of society. It is this extremist vision, carrying hatred, divisions and violence, that must be fought without compromise.
 
Defending secularism today is above all daring to name things.
 
In this respect, it is worth remembering that Judaism in France has always been fully respectful of the secularism and values ​​of the Republic, as evidenced by the recitation in the synagogues every Shabbat of prayer for the Republic. On this subject, we have no lessons to receive from anyone so much our fidelity to republican values ​​is inscribed in our history. We can not accept the slightest collateral damage that would result from the inability to enforce to others what has always been part of our identity. But the anxiety of the Jewish French is largely based on the undermining of these values, at school, in certain territories of the Republic, and in public spaces.
 
It is essential to return to our fundamentals and uphold the laws of the Republic. In this debate on secularism, what is above all at stake and expected is the firmness of the public authorities to enforce its very principle that political Islamism fights. Otherwise, the situation will only get worse, which will inexorably fuel the electoral push of populist and extremist parties. These same parties share with these enemies of secularism objective and nourishing interests: the spread of hatred and division, and the desire to destroy what is the soul and the backbone of our society of freedom and fraternity to better impose their archaic and deadly model. A clearly defined and firmly respected secularism is a major barrier to these disastrous plans. That's why some people fight her so much. That's why we can not let them do it.
Comments

    In the News

    B'nai B'rith International is the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. 

    The following highlights stories, around the world, where our leadership has been quoted.

    Op-eds are published with full text and excerpts from stories are included with links back to the full article.

    RSS Feed

    Tweets by @BnaiBrith

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    September 2011
    May 2011
    March 2010

    All rights reserved.  Stories are attributed to the original copyright holders.

    Categories

    All
    7/7
    9-11
    Abraham Accords
    Abraham Lincoln
    Adas Israel
    Adl
    Adriana Camisar
    Advocacy
    Aepi
    Agence France-Presse
    Ahepa
    AJN
    Alan Dershowitz
    Alan Schneider
    Alberto Nisman
    Alejandro Avruj
    Alexander Haig
    Alex Jakubowski
    Algemeiner
    Alina Bricman
    Aliya
    Allan J Jacobs
    Alsace
    Amazon
    Americanism Award
    AMIA
    Amia Bombings
    Amos Lodge
    Andover
    Andy Borans
    Andy Pollin
    Anti Defamation Commission
    Anti-defamation Commission
    Antisemitic
    Anti Semitism
    Anti-semitism
    Argentina
    Arizona Jewish Post
    Arutz Sheva
    Asa
    Asuntos Publicos
    Auschwitz
    Australia
    Austria
    Babyn Yar
    Bagel Brigade
    Bahrain
    Baltimore Jewish Life
    Baltimore Jewish Times
    Ban Ki Moon
    Ban Ki-moon
    Barack Obama
    Bar Des Fleurs
    BBCJRP
    Bbyl
    Bbyo
    Bds
    Beacon Communities Development Llc
    Beatriz Pellizzari
    Benjamin Netanyahu
    Berlin
    Bernie Sanders
    Berta Davidovitz Rubinsztejn
    Biden
    B'nai B
    B'nai B'rith
    Bnai Brith
    B'nai B'rith Australia
    B'nai B'rith Bowling
    B'nai Brith Canada
    B'nai B'rith Europe
    B'nai B'rith France
    B'nai B'rith Housing
    B'nai B'rith Latinoamerica
    B'nai B'rith Magazine
    B'nai B'rith Real Estate
    B'nai B'rith Switzerland
    B'nai B'rith Uk
    Bolivia
    Boston
    Brazil
    Breaking Israel News
    Brett Yormark
    Brian Tinsman
    Brooklyn Eagle
    Brooklyn Nets
    Bruce Pascal
    Brussels
    Buddy Bears
    Buenos Aires
    Carmen Lomellin
    Cciu
    Chaim Weizmann
    Channel 4
    Charlie Hebdo
    Cheddar TV
    Cherokee High School
    Cheryl Kempler
    Chicago
    Clubhouse
    CNN
    Columbia Lighthouse For The Blind
    Comedy Central
    Conference Of Presidents
    Conflict Kitchen
    Congress
    Connect
    Connecticut Jewish Ledger
    Courage To Care
    Covenant Place
    Covid19
    Crif
    Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner
    Critica.com.pa
    Css
    Cuba
    Cyprus
    Daniel Jacobs
    Daniel Rafecas
    Daniel S Mariaschin
    Daniel Sturla
    David Horovitz
    David J Michaels
    Delmarva
    Delmarva Power
    Delmarva Power Conference Center
    Dexter-van-zile
    Diario Judío México
    Diaspora
    Disability
    Disaster Relief
    Disney Channel
    Distinguished-achievement-award
    Diverse-minds
    Divestment
    Dojas
    Don-isaac-abravanel-lodge
    Dr-dvir-abramovich
    East-end-capital
    Easter
    Ebay
    Ebola
    Ecuador
    Ecumenical-theological-research-fraternity
    Eduardo Kohn
    Elie-wiesel
    El-observador
    El-pais
    Emir-abdullah
    Emory
    Eric Fusfield
    Erika-van-gelder
    Espectador
    Estados-unidos-y-uruguay
    Etsy
    Eugene Meyer
    EUJS
    European Union
    Eve Swabe
    Facebook
    Fatah
    Faye Dubrowin
    Felxi Klein
    Fernando Polack
    Flood
    Fox News
    Fox-news-latino
    France
    Frederick-lawrence
    French
    Friendship Club For The Blind
    Fulvio Martusciello
    Gary Saltzman
    Gaza
    Gazette
    Genocide
    German
    Germany
    Gilbert Steingart
    Glen Eira
    Global Forum For Combating Anti-Semitism
    Golda Meir
    Goodbye Kramer
    Good Deeds Day
    Greece
    Gustavo Galante
    Gyorgy Yitzhak Gyuri
    Haaretz
    Hamas
    Harari
    HarperCollins
    Hassan Rouhani
    Hebrew
    Hebrew Union College
    Héctor Timerman
    Heinz Endowments
    Henry Monsky
    Henry-monsky-lodge
    Herald Sun
    Hezbollah
    Hillary Clinton
    Hillel
    History News Network
    Holocaust
    Holocaust Denial
    Holocaust Education
    Homecrest House
    Hudson Institute
    Huffington Post
    Human Rights
    Hungary
    Hyper Cacher
    Iba
    Idan Raichel
    IDC
    Idf
    If-no-one-was-different
    Immigration
    Infopublico
    Insurancenewsnet
    Interfaith
    International Business Times
    International Congress On Religious Freedom
    Iran
    Irwin-cotler
    Isis
    Islamic Jihad
    IsraAID
    Israel
    Israel-forever-foundation
    Israel Hayom
    Italian-national-day
    Italy
    Iton Gadol
    J100
    Janel Doughten
    JBS
    JDAD
    Jerusalem
    Jerusalem Post
    Jewish
    Jewish Chronicle
    Jewish Daily Forward
    Jewish Exponent
    Jewish Ideas Daily
    Jewish Insider
    Jewish Journal
    Jewish Museum
    Jewish Museum Berlin
    Jewish-museum-of-belgium
    Jewish News Uk
    Jewish Press
    Jewish Scene
    Jewish Telegraphic Agency
    Jewish Tribune
    Jewish Week
    Jews
    JISS
    Jns
    JNS.org
    Joel Kaplan
    John Kerry
    Jonathan-pacifici
    Jonathan Yormak
    Jorge-traverso
    Jose Amorin
    Joseph Bau
    Journalism Awards
    Jrj
    J Street
    Jta
    Juan Carlos Varela
    Judy Maltz
    Julia Neuberger
    Julio Maria Sanguinetti
    July-9th-symposium
    J Weekly
    J-Weekly
    JWire
    Kathimerini
    Kedailadaatcom
    Keene Sentinel
    Keith-harper
    Kevin Garnett
    Kira-kiwi
    Klaus Netter
    Klutznick
    Knesset
    Kramer-hall-art-gallery
    Kristallnacht
    Kudler-award
    La-nacion
    La Red 21
    Latin America
    Lavoz.com
    Le-bar-des-fleures-podcast
    Le Bar Des Fleures Podcast8a1df9cf84
    Liaison-committee
    Linda Frumkes
    London
    Los Angeles
    Luis Almagro
    Macklemore
    Mahmoud Abbas
    Mann Report
    Mark Olshan
    Mary-kate-donahue
    Matan-hodorov
    Mathias-dopfner62ed3885a3
    Mazal News
    McGraw-hill
    Media
    Medicare
    Meir Brand
    Menachem-begin-heritage-center
    Mercosur
    Mexico
    Michael-rudman
    Mickey Berkowitz
    Middle East
    Midwest
    Monica-keszler
    Murray-shusterman
    Musees-nationaux-recuperation
    National Jewish Monthly
    National Security
    Navi-pillay
    Nazi
    Nazism
    Nbc-4
    New Jersey
    News02elf
    Newsweek
    New York City
    New York Daily News
    New York Times
    Nicaragua
    Nicolas-maduro
    Night Of Broken Glass
    Nuno Wahnon Martins
    Nuno-wahnon-martins
    Nurit-hirsh
    Oas
    Ohio
    Ohio State University Marching Band
    Omaha
    Oriental-radio
    OSCE
    P5+1
    PA
    Padre Jose Maria Di Paolo
    Palestine
    Palestinians
    Pam-goodman
    Panama
    Paraguay
    Paraguay-foreign-minister-eladio-loizaga
    Paris Conference On Middle East Peace
    Passover
    Peace
    Pentagon
    Peoria
    Pepco-edison-place-gallery
    Periodistadigitalcom
    Petra-heldt
    Peyton-manning
    Philadelphia
    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Philippines
    Pittsburgh
    PLO
    Pogrom
    Pope Francis
    Portugal
    Portuguese
    Presbyterian-church-usa
    Project Hope
    Project-hope9169e1889c
    Rabbi-david-saperstein
    Rachel Goldberg
    Radio Jai
    Ralph-hofmann
    Raoul Wallenberg
    Reda-mansour
    Religious-action-center-of-reform-judaism
    Religious Liberty
    Rescuers Citation
    Restitution
    Restitution And Holocaust Education
    Reuters
    Reuven-rivlin
    Richard-heideman
    Richmond Times-dispatch
    Rima-khalaf
    Ron Dermer
    Rosh Hashanah
    Russell Brand
    Salir-adelante
    Sanctions
    Scranton
    Sears
    Seder
    Senior Prom
    Senior Services
    September-11th
    Seth-rogen
    Seton Hall
    Shalom Tv
    Shot-in-the-dark
    Sierra Leone
    Skirball Museum
    Social Security
    Spain
    Spanish
    Spokane Symphony
    Sri-lanka
    Stanley Cohen
    State Of The Union
    Stéphane Teicher
    St-louis
    St-louis-jewish-light
    Stockton-college
    Storify
    Struthof
    Subrayado
    Sudan
    Sussex-tech
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Syriza
    Tal Brody
    Ted Cruz
    Telavivi
    Tel Aviv Maccabi
    Terezin-declaration
    Terror
    Terrorism
    Texas
    The Daily Show
    Thejccom
    The Jewish Week
    The-suburban
    Times Of Israel
    Tlv1
    Trevor Noah
    Tuscon
    Twitter
    UN
    Unasur
    Un-division-on-palestinian-rights
    Unesco
    Un Human Rights Council
    United Arab Emirates
    United Nations
    United States
    UNSC
    Unto Every Person
    Unto Every Person There Is A Name
    Uruguay
    Usa-ambassador-to-the-oas
    Valentina Lisitsa
    Vanderbilt
    Vatican
    Venezuela
    Veterans
    Vin News
    Virginia Bar Association
    Vis A Vis
    Vis-a-vis
    Washington Dc
    Washington Free Beacon
    Washington Jewish Week
    We Walk To Remember
    World Center
    Worldherald
    World-trade-center
    World Zionist Congress
    Wrestlemania
    Wrestling
    Wwe
    Yahoo
    Yitzhak-santis
    Ynet
    Yom Hashoah
    Yom-kippur
    Young-leadership-network
    Ypd
    Yuval-steinitz
    Zack-varrato

Connect With Us

About B'nai B'rith

Contact Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Programs


Support Our Work

Attend an Event
Become a Member
Donate Now
B'nai B'rith Apparel

Subscribe

Apple Podcasts
Spotify

Stitcher
​Youtube
​​
© 2021 - B'nai B'rith International 

1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N
Washington, D.C. 20036

Phone: 202-857-6600
Privacy Policy 
Picture
  • About Us
    • 175th Anniversary >
      • Timeline
    • Annual Report >
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
      • 990 Forms
    • Presidents Book
    • Around the World >
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Canada
      • Cuba
      • Europe
      • Israel
      • Latin America >
        • Argentina
        • Brazil
        • Chile, Bolivia and Peru >
          • Anti-Semitism Forum in Santiago 2019
        • Northern Latin America and the Caribbean
        • Organization of American States (OAS)
        • Uruguay and Paraguay
      • South Africa
      • United States >
        • Allegheny/Ohio Valley
        • Chesapeake Bay
        • Colorado
        • Evergreen
        • Golden Pacific
        • Great Lakes >
          • B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Scholarship Program
        • Greater Florida
        • Kentucky
        • Liberty
        • MetroNorth
        • Midwest
        • New England
        • North Central
        • Southern California >
          • Knesset B'nai B'rith
        • Omaha, Nebraska
        • Southern Communities >
          • Atlanta, Georgia
        • St. Louis, Missouri
        • Texarkoma
        • Tri-State
    • Departments & Careers
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • 2020 National Healthcare Award
      • 2020 B'nai B'rith Leadership Forum
      • Jewish Holiday Calendar
      • Continuing Education
    • Insurance Programs
    • Leadership
    • Programs >
      • BBRAVO
      • For Communities >
        • Project H.O.P.E.
      • For Culture and Education >
        • Unto Every Person
        • Center For Jewish Identity
        • Enlighten America
        • Museum and Archives >
          • B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum® Collection
          • Holocaust Art Resource List
          • Palestine Mandate Coins
        • Smarter Kids - Safer Kids
      • For Kids >
        • B'nai B'rith Cares for Kids
        • Diverse Minds
    • Senior Staff
    • B'nai B'rith Connect >
      • B'nai B'rith Connect Fall 2019 Newsletter
      • Past Connect Events
    • Privacy Policy
  • Global Advocacy
    • Take Action!
    • Anti-Semitism / None Shall Be Afraid >
      • About None Shall Be Afraid
      • B'nai B'rith on the Front Lines
      • Resources
      • Students Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism Contest
      • Take Our Pledge
    • AJIRI-BBI
    • IMPACT: Emerging Leaders Fellowship
    • Intercommunal Affairs
    • Tolerance and Diversity
    • Europe
    • Latin America
    • Canada
    • Israel and The Middle East
    • United Nations
    • United States
  • Israel
    • World Center – Jerusalem >
      • Sally Bein
    • Israel and the Middle East
    • Israel Emergency Fund
    • Fighting BDS
    • History in Israel
    • Center Stage 2020
    • Previous Center Stage Editions
    • Jewish Rescuers Citation >
      • Jewish Rescue
  • Seniors
    • CSS Response to COVID-19
    • Virtual Trainings
    • CSS Advocacy
    • 50 Years of Senior Housing
    • B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network Timeline >
      • Wilkes-Barre
      • Harrisburg, Pa.
      • St. Louis, Mo.
      • Reading, Pa.
      • Silver Spring, Md.
      • Allentown, Pa.
      • Peoria, Ill.
      • Houston, Texas
      • Claymont, Del.
      • Pasadena, Texas
      • Boston, Mass.
      • Hot Springs, Ark.
      • Queens, N.Y.
      • Scranton, Pa.
      • Fort Worth, Texas
      • Deerfield Beach, Fla.
      • Sheboygan, Wis.
      • Schenectady, N.Y.
      • South Orange, N.J.
      • Bronx, N.Y.
      • Tuscon, Ariz. - B'nai B'rith Covenant House
      • Marlton, N.J.
      • Los Angeles, Calif.
      • New Haven, Conn.
      • Chesilhurst, N.J.
      • Tucson, Ariz. - Gerd & Inge Strauss B'nai B'rith Manor on Pantano
      • Dothan, Ala.
      • Sudbury, Mass.
    • CSS Staff Bios
    • B'nai B'rith Resident Leadership Retreat
    • CSS Puerto Rico Meeting 2019
    • Housing Locations
    • Seniority Report Newsletter
  • Humanitarian Aid
    • Community Support
    • Cuba Relief >
      • Cuba Missions
      • Get Involved
      • Cuba Blog
      • Where We Work
      • Cuba History
    • Disaster Relief >
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Haiti
      • Latin America
      • United States >
        • SBP-New York Thanks B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief
  • News & Media
    • B'nai B'rith Impact
    • B'nai B'rith Magazine >
      • 2020 Winter B'nai B'rith Magazine
      • Magazine Archives
      • Past Magazine Articles
    • Expert Analysis >
      • Policy and Advocacy
      • Israel
      • Seniors
      • Jewish Identity
      • Community Action
    • In the News
    • Sign Up For B'nai B'rith Email Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars and Conversations
    • Zero.Dot.Two Initiative
  • Partner with Us
    • B'nai B'rith Today
    • Give to B'nai B'rith
    • Membership
    • Planned Giving & Endowments >
      • Bequests
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
      • Donor Testimonials
    • Giving >
      • Donate Stock
      • Foundations & Corporate Giving
      • Tribute Cards
      • Shop AmazonSmile
      • Purchase B'nai B'rith Apparel
    • Disaster Relief
    • Tree Of Life
    • Contact Form
  • B'nai B'rith Extra
    • Content For You
    • Upcoming Events