B’nai B’rith International has sent a letter to the Vatican’s main point person on Catholic-Jewish relations expressing sadness at the news of his retirement.Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and its Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, demonstrated an “approach of constructiveness and healing” in his engagement with Jewish leaders.

The letter, written by B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick, Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, and Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David J. Michaels, notes: “we have been privileged to know the warmth, openness and spirit that you have brought to your work.”

B’nai B’rith described Kasper as a true and faithful partner, occasionally in difficult times, in advancing the Catholic-Jewish friendship over the decade he held the post.

Glick, Mariaschin, and Michaels wrote: “Your leadership of the Commission for nearly a decade has been characterized by great devotion – indicative of the profound importance of, and immense strides over the course of less than half a century in, the Catholic-Jewish relationship. Undoubtedly, your personal role in caring for and advancing this endeavor has been significant.”

B’nai B’rith expressed the hope that even in his retirement, the cardinal’s contributions will continue to provide an enduring foundation for the advancement of relations between Catholics and Jews.

B’nai B’rith International Pays Tribute To Cardinal Walter Kasper Upon Retirement As Chief Vatican Liaison To The Jewish Community

B’nai B’rith International has sent a letter to the Vatican’s main point person on Catholic-Jewish relations expressing sadness at the news of his retirement.

Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and its Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, demonstrated an “approach of constructiveness and healing” in his engagement with Jewish leaders.

The letter, written by B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick, Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, and Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David J. Michaels, notes: “we have been privileged to know the warmth, openness and spirit that you have brought to your work.”

B’nai B’rith described Kasper as a true and faithful partner, occasionally in difficult times, in advancing the Catholic-Jewish friendship over the decade he held the post.

Glick, Mariaschin, and Michaels wrote: “Your leadership of the Commission for nearly a decade has been characterized by great devotion – indicative of the profound importance of, and immense strides over the course of less than half a century in, the Catholic-Jewish relationship. Undoubtedly, your personal role in caring for and advancing this endeavor has been significant.”

B’nai B’rith expressed the hope that even in his retirement, the cardinal’s contributions will continue to provide an enduring foundation for the advancement of relations between Catholics and Jews.

B’nai B’rith International strongly condemns Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s statement on June 27 pronouncing Israel as a “genocidal” government and calls on the international community to denounce such anti-Israel rhetoric. The comments occurred during a meeting between Chavez and Syrian President Bashar Assad in Caracas.

Chavez’s meeting with Assad comes during a time when Venezuela and Iran have formed a partnership in opposition to Israel and the United States.

“This is another example of the deplorable anti-Israel sentiment coming from the Venezuelan president,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said. “This has not been the first time Chavez has made these types of statements and will probably not be the last. They continue to be unacceptable and cannot stand.”

Chavez voiced strong views that the Golan Heights be returned to Syria and criticized Israel’s blockade of Gaza. He referred to Israel as “the murderous arm of the Yankee empire,” and aligned with Syria by describing them both as having “common enemies.”

Yossi Beilin, Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Issues Letter to Church Delegates

B’nai B’rith International is urging delegates to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to oppose the adoption of reports and resolutions that demonize Israel and target it with such measures as a proposed suspension of American military aid. The mainline Protestant denomination’s biannual convention gets underway July 3 in Minneapolis.

Among the materials slated for consideration by the assembly is a Middle East Study Committee report whose content dramatically emphasizes perceived Israeli wrongdoing and Palestinian suffering, while belittling Arab obligations, historical Jewish roots in the land, and the Jewish state’s efforts for peace in the face of terrorism. The report also fails to recognize that Israel is the Middle East’s only free, pluralistic society and the only country in the region whose Christian population has grown in actual numbers.

The 172-page report positively cites “Kairos,” itself a highly inflammatory Palestinian Christian document, and endorses the recommendation of the church’s Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee to denounce one company for its lawful sale of products to the Israel Defense Forces. Individual presbytery overtures go even further, calling for outright divestment from the company and explicitly endorsing “Kairos,” which refers to terrorism as “resistance,” embraces outdated supersessionist ideas, calls for boycotts against the Jewish state, and labels Israeli policies a “sin against God.”

B’nai B’rith is circulating a letter from former Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Yossi Beilin urging church delegates against unbalanced or counterproductive steps on the Middle East.

In his letter (text below), Beilin, notes economic sanctions directed at a democracy like Israel only weaken peacemakers.

The letter text:

With greetings from Israel, I write to you as someone whose career as a cabinet member, a member of Parliament and peace activist has been defined by vigorous engagement in the pursuit of reconciliation and coexistence in the Middle East. I was an initiator of the historic Oslo peace process between Palestinians and Israelis, and successfully sponsored legislation to guarantee equal representation for the Arab minority in my country itself.

Having been blessed with so many friends of all stripes across the United States, I recognize the importance of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a faith community and a part of American society. I can imagine how weighty are the responsibilities of your service at the 219th General Assembly of the PC (USA).

It is in this vein, and in a spirit of friendship and genuine respect, that I write to you. It goes without saying that I would not normally comment on policy deliberations such as those at the General Assembly, but I am confident that you would appreciate direct and honest perspectives from someone impacted by particular such deliberations.

I know that, over recent years, your partners from the spectrum of the mainstream American Jewish community have shared their hope that prospective PC (USA) actions on the Arab-Israeli conflict would reflect a sensitive, nuanced and balanced approach, and avoid importing the tensions of the Middle East beyond the region.

I, too, would urge that you decline adopting materials and proposals that place inordinate blame on Israel for the conflict, without due appreciation for the extent of the physical threats – both rhetoric and deeds – that its people face. As much so, the singling out for censure or punitive measures of businesses engaged with one side to one complex conflict is highly counterproductive. Among the overtures before you is a call for divestment from such a company. The Middle East Study Committee report would also both call into question vital American aid to Israel while viewing positively, without stated qualification, the polemical “Kairos Palestine” document – which promotes a blanket “system of economic sanctions and boycott to be applied against Israel” alone. I do believe in economic sanctions, but when they are directed against democracies they are counter-productive.

For all its shortcomings, Israel is a democracy, and one well-known for extraordinarily robust political debate. However, narratives and activism that appear to target Israelis or exclude recognition of any of Israel’s positive contributions to peace only make the people of my country, including the most progressive and moderate of us, feel isolated, insecure and less capable of encouraging the kinds of concessions and risks for peace that I have long strongly advocated.

I urge you to act for peace in a way that strengthens Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers alike.

B’nai B’rith International commends the U.S. Senate and House for passing historic and tough action that will place meaningful economic sanctions on the Iranian regime where it will hurt them the most.

The new measure targets Iran’s refined petroleum sector and international financial institutions that do business with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard and with Iranian banks. These sanctions expand the multilateral sanctions approved by the United Nations and sanctions under discussion in the European Union.

B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin called the Congressional action “a powerful step toward thwarting the nuclear threat of the tyrannical regime in power in Iran. Because they represent the greatest threat to humanity today, it is essential that the world come together to prevent Iran from achieving its destructive nuclear ambitions.”

B’nai B’rith has long advocated the imposition of strong and comprehensive sanctions against Iran. Mariaschin congratulated Congress for its action: “Your declaration that Iran must immediately cease its relentless drive toward becoming a nuclear power will serve as a strong warning to those institutions that would choose to do business with Iran that such a move will have serious economic consequences.”

B’nai B’rith urges the president to sign the legislation into law quickly.

Hamas Has Held Captured Soldier Since 2006; International Outrage is Focused Elsewhere

June 25 marks four years since Hamas terrorists captured Israeli then-corporal Gilad Shalit in an unprovoked cross border raid. He has been held captive ever since. Two other soldiers were killed in the 2006 attack. Though Shalit (promoted to staff sergeant during his captivity) was wounded, Hamas has denied him medical care and visits from humanitarian groups, an unacceptable violation of the Geneva Convention.

B’nai B’rith International is astonished that an incident such as the Gaza flotilla last month has garnered such international condemnation against Israel, while Shalit’s mistreatment at the hands of terrorists receives scant attention. Shalit’s family approached the Gaza flotilla leaders with a letter and small package to deliver to him. The flotilla, on a supposed humanitarian mission, refused. Delivering such items to the kidnapped soldier would have been in keeping with what was supposedly a humanitarian mission.

“The treatment of Gilad Shalit is an unacceptable affront to international laws and moral convention,” B’nai B’rith President Dennis W. Glick said. “Kidnapped at 19, Shalit is being used by Hamas as a symbol and a pawn. His treatment is an affront to basic human rights.”

It is beyond unfortunate, and a prime example of bias against Israel, that the international community has remained largely silent on the Shalit kidnapping.

The limited proof Hamas has provided about Shalit’s condition includes a video of him released in October 2009—the first time he has been seen since he was captured.

“Four years of captivity with no humanitarian visits—that’s beneath contempt,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “Such treatment should cast a harsh light on Hamas terrorists. To kidnap and hold an Israeli soldier all these years, not even allowing any international medical personnel to check on his health, is contemptible.”

B’nai B’rith commends public efforts over the years to call attention to Shalit’s situation. The cities of Miami, New Orleans, Paris, and Rome have each made Shalit an honorary citizen.

B’nai B’rith International welcomes tough new sanctions against Iran announced by the U.S. Treasury department and the European Union.

In both cases, these new sanctions target businesses and industries that can directly aid Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.

“These new measures by the United States and the European Union, building on the recent United Nations-passed sanctions, are essential to the process of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons,” B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said. “Targeting a broader range of Iran’s business sector will help isolate Tehran.”

The new sanctions are designed to close loopholes that have enabled Iran to continue to spin its centrifuges and conduct international business dealings related to its nuclear program, even in the face of sanctions. The United States has now added even more businesses to its list of those banned from having transactions with Iran. B’nai B’rith expects that private companies will avoid doing business with Iran for fear of violating these new regulations.

The European Union sanctions announced on June 17 will implement an updated set up of sanctions to help further isolate Tehran.

“These new regulations should make it that much harder for Tehran to make an end-run around existing sanctions,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “The adoption of new sanctions in the U.S. and in Europe should be seen as important steps in building what we hope will be efforts that are far more united than in the past to stop Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.”

The international community must give this issue the attention and urgency it deserves, and implement sanctions to the fullest extent possible. While the world has been discussing and debating sanctions, Iran has continued to develop nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them.

B’nai B’rith International is inaugurating a command and control center in the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona to help the area deal with emergencies. President Dennis W. Glick will join Kiryat Shmona Deputy Mayor Amram Shachar on Friday, June 18, to launch the new facility.

The need for a system that would allow improved oversight in emergencies and enable enhanced response in the city, particularly in times of conflict but also in peace time, became painfully evident during the 2006 Second Lebanon War as Kiryat Shmona and the surrounding areas were hit by more than 4,000 rockets fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah.

“The people of Kiryat Shmona have endured more than most people could possibly imagine—rockets falling with little warning, running for shelter, and spending days inside in cramped bomb shelters,” Glick said. “We are glad to be in a position to be able to bring a measure of normality to residents’ lives.”

Israel’s largest defense company, Elbit Systems, built the civilian version of its advanced command and control systems in use by Israel Defense Forces and other armies.

B’nai B’rith International is supporting the initial phase of the project with funds raised during the Second Lebanon War. The system will integrate information from high-definition cameras and other sensors and will serve as a platform for further upgrades as additional funding becomes available. When completed, the system will be the most advanced civilian command and control center of its kind in Israel.

The B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem identified the project together with the Kiryat Shmona municipality three years ago as the flagship B'nai B'rith effort to assist the citizens of northern Israel following the considerable physical and emotional damage inflicted by the war.

Kiryat Shmona Director General Eli Cohen noted the importance of the project to his community: “Kiryat Shmona, which has suffered from rocket attacks from Lebanon for decades and is one of the most threatened cities in Israel, needs fast solutions in case of emergency. These will be provided by the highly advanced integrated system. The municipality and the residents of Kiryat Shmona are grateful to B’nai B’rith International, and its members and supporters for making this project possible.”

To attend the opening of the center, or arrange interviews, contact World Center Director Alan Schneider,02-6251743, or 052-5536441, or e-mail: worldcenter@bnaibrith.org.

A majority of Jewish residents of Israel (54 percent) believe that Jewish organizations that advocate for Israel with foreign governments and call themselves “pro-Israel” should always support the government’s policies, while 28 percent do not, according to the fifth annual Survey of Contemporary Israeli Attitudes Toward World Jewry. The survey, conducted by KEEVOON Research, on behalf of the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem, reported statistics on current issues such as Israeli feelings toward Jews in the Diaspora.

The survey also found that 56 percent of adult Israeli Jews disagree with the “Call for Reason” petition issued by JCall, a European-based nonprofit advocacy group on the Middle East and Israel, stating that unequivocal support of Israeli government policies by the Jewish Diaspora is not in the best interests of the country, while 30 percent agree with it.

“The results of the survey were significant and demonstrated interesting insights into Israeli attitudes,” World Center Director Alan Schneider said. “Whereas Israelis were divided on particular policy issues, especially those being put forth by Diaspora Jewish organizations, they believe that those organizations who lobby on behalf of what they believe to be best for Israel should support the elected government. They also believe that unwavering support of Israel is not detrimental to Israel’s long term goals.”

Nearly half (47 percent) of Israelis disagree with Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky’s plans to eliminate Aliya as the main focus of the organization. Only 35 percent support his plan to shift the priority to building the Jewish identity of every Jew in his or her country.

While 55 percent of those polled believe that a two-state solution is essential to Israel’s survival as the Jewish homeland and a thriving democracy, that group is almost evenly divided between those who agree strongly or only somewhat. Only 36 percent of Israelis disagreed.

Israelis questioned felt strongly that American Jews should criticize President Obama’s policies toward Israel. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of them held this position, while only 12 percent felt American Jews should support their president’s Israeli policies.

Other questions in the survey focused on the law of return and conversion, anti-Semitism, and the pursuit of settlements in the West Bank and Arab districts of East Jerusalem.

“The World Center takes this survey on contemporary Israeli opinion on the Diaspora seriously and believes its results are extremely valuable,” World Center Chairman Haim V. Katz said.

The telephone survey was conducted June 1-4 and included representatives from the Jewish Israeli population over the age of 18. Five-hundred people were interviewed and there is a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.

The B’nai B’rith World Center is the permanent and official presence of B’nai B’rith International in Jerusalem and serves as its public affairs arm in Israel. To see a PowerPoint presentation on the full survey, please visit: http://www.bnaibrith.org/press_releases/annual_survey.cfm. For additional survey information, contact Alan Schneider at: 02-6251743 or 052-5536441; or e-mail: worldcenter@bnaibrith.org.

The premier B’nai B’rith International honor was presented on June 9 to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in Bogota. The Presidential Gold Medallion for Humanitarianism is awarded to only a select few recipients who practice outstanding leadership and service to their communities.

B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick presented the award to Uribe and praised his efforts to combat terrorism and promote democratic values, as well as his support of the Jewish community and Israel. He also praised Uribe’s strong ethical and moral principles, through reference of the Jewish concept, “Pirke Avot.”

“The Pirke Avot tells us ‘Who is honored? He that honors mankind.’”Glick said at the award presentation. “It is a concept that says so much about why we are honoring you with this important award.”

The event was attended by more than 200 people, including members of the local Jewish community, diplomats, government officials, and the press.

Uribe was humbled and grateful in accepting his award.

“We in Colombia care and love the Jewish fellow countrymen and women who have brought to this country strong will to work hard for all the society, great creativity and imagination, culture and education,” Uribe said, “And I have a deep feeling of respect and admiration for Israel, a brave country always fighting for its rights and democracy. I feel deeply moved by this B’nai B’rith award but I receive it on behalf of the entire Colombian people."

As its latest recipient, Uribe joins select company honored with this prestigious award. Past winners include first Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion; fourth Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir; former U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman and John F. Kennedy; former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Fraser; and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“We are pleased to present President Uribe with this award as he joins the many important leaders who have earned this honor,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “While President Uribe is such a good friend of the Jewish community and Israel, his greatest trait is his courage to act on moral principles when it is not always popular.”