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9
World Jewish Congress President Edgar M. Bronfman Hails “New Era” of Dialogue
Between United Nations and Jewish People
Commends Kofi Annan for Historic United Nations Commemoration Marking
60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz
Meeting with Under Secretary General Shashi Tharoor and Jewish Organizations Seen as
Important Step in Improving Relations
NEW YORK, N.Y., February 1, 2005 – The World Jewish Congress today hailed a new era of
dialogue between the United Nations and the Jewish people, and recognized the leadership of United
Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in facilitating last week’s historic United Nations
commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
“Much more remains to be done by the United Nations, not only in remembrance of the past but
in ensuring freedom and security for Jewish communities in the future, within the State of Israel and
among the nations of the world,” wrote World Jewish Congress President Edgar M. Bronfman in a
letter to Secretary General Annan this week. “The scourge of anti-Semitic rhetoric in the halls of the
United Nations must be put to an end, and the General Assembly must issue a singular, unequivocal
condemnation of anti-Semitism,” declared Mr. Bronfman.
The letter applauded the Secretary General’s courageous and unprecedented decision to allow the
singing of Israel’s national anthem at the closing ceremony of the Special Session and Mr. Annan’s
profound linkage of the destruction of the Holocaust, the founding of the United Nations and the
creation of the State of Israel.
Mr. Bronfman also noted the important role Mr. Annan played in generating support for the
Special Session. “That a majority of member states finally agreed to an unambiguous affirmation of
the enormity of Jewish suffering… was in part a result of your personal commitment and initiative,”
he wrote. However, he noted, “The Special Session of the General Assembly should have been held
many years ago.”
Referring to a January 26 meeting in New York, Mr. Bronfman wrote, “The World Jewish
Congress was pleased last week to host your Under Secretary General, Mr. Shashi Tharoor, when
representatives of Jewish organizations expressed their appreciation for the important steps taking
place under your leadership.”
Mr. Bronfman concluded the letter by pledging to continue to work with Mr. Annan “in
expanding the circle of dialogue in the United Nations and in reaching more member states with the
message of mutual respect.”
Last week, World Jewish Congress Governing Board Chairman Israel Singer spoke on the
occasion of the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz at the official commemoration
ceremony in Poland, organized by the European Jewish Congress, and at Germany’s official
commemoration ceremony in Berlin organized by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
The World Jewish Congress is made up of geographic and institutional entities from around the
world. Member organizations elect their own representatives and these representatives become the
Plenary Assembly of the WJC. This democratically elected body elects its officers, adopts
resolutions and acts as a “parliament” for Jews living outside of Israel.
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