OSCE on Anti-Semitism - 07.08.2002

 

PRESS RELEASE

NCSJ Welcomes OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Focus on Anti-Semitism

Shai Franklin, NCSJ Director of Governmental Relations (left), with Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), holding copy of resolution on anti-Semitism as passed by the Third Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin, July 8

July 8, 2002 - NCSJ today expressed appreciation to the German and American delegations to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE-PA), for ensuring that growing European anti-Semitism was addressed during this week's annual session in Berlin.

In addition to a resolution sponsored by the American delegation and approved today in the OSCE-PA's Third Committee (General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions), a separate meeting on anti-Semitism was organized today by Wolfgang Thierse, President of the German Bundestag, and Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the U.S. delegation and Co-Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe).

Shai Franklin, NCSJ Director of Governmental Relations, who is attending the OSCE-PA annual session, stressed that "the American initiative to raise this found a cooperative partner in the German hosts, and the staffs of both delegations worked closely with Jewish organizations to ensure maximum exposure and discussion of this issue.  Much of this work could not have been achieved without coordination among partner agencies like NCSJ, the American Jewish Committee, and the Anti-Defamation League - before and during these proceedings - as well as the broader human rights community.  As Rep. Smith underscored earlier today, these steps are only the beginning of the OSCE-PA effort to address the revival of anti-Semitism throughout Europe and elsewhere."

OSCE-PA

Parliamentary delegates attending Third Committee session (U.S. delegates seated in front row, center to left)

The resolution, sponsored principally by Rep. Smith, condemns "the alarming escalation of anti-Semitic violence," stresses that violence against Jews cannot be justified on political grounds and obstructs democracy, urged states "to ensure aggressive law enforcement," and advocates follow-up meetings and programs within the OSCE-PA framework.  In two amendments introduced by Representative Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), the resolution also addresses the importance of restitution of communal property in post-Communist states. OSCE-PA Treasurer and Canadian Senator Jerry Grafstein, along with delegates from other countries, expressed in session strong support for the resolution.

The German and U.S. co-chairs of today's public meeting on anti-Semitism - which was held outside the OSCE-PA session - introduced four expert speakers on the phenomenon of anti-Semitism, including Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman.  During the comment period, NCSJ's Shai Franklin urged the German and American delegations to impress upon their Western European colleagues that how they address the current wave of anti-Semitic violence sets an example for former Soviet republics including those aspiring to membership in NATO and the European Union.  

Yelena Niazova

Shai Franklin (center) addressing German-U.S. panel on anti-Semitism

Among members of the U.S. delegation, Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and Rep. Cardin amplified Rep. Smith's emphasis on follow-up and development of strategy and action plans among OSCE-PA delegations.  In addition to members and staff of the German and U.S. delegations, the program was also attended by other delegates and diplomats, non-governmental organizations, international media, and members of the OSCE-PA International Secretariat and OSCE-PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver.

Yelena Niazova

In addition to the U.S. delegation, NCSJ has worked closely in this context with parliamentary delegates from the successor states and with the Berlin office of the American Jewish Committee.  NCSJ has worked in close consultation with the U.S. Helsinki Commission since its creation in 1976, and regularly participates in meetings within the OSCE framework.  In May 2002, NCSJ Executive Director Mark Levin was among the expert witnesses to testify on the escalation of anti-Semitic violence in Europe, before a Helsinki Commission hearing that helped frame the issues addressed today in Berlin.

NCSJ: Advocates on behalf of Jews in Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic States & Eurasia - a voluntary, not-for-profit agency created in 1971, is the mandated central coordinating agency of the organized American Jewish community for policy and activities on behalf of the estimated 1.5 million Jews in the former Soviet Union. NCSJ comprises nearly 50 national organizations and over 300 local federations, community councils and committees across the United States. Through this extensive network, NCSJ mobilizes the resources, energies and talents of millions of U.S. citizens, and also represents the American Jewish community in dealings with similar national groups abroad, and at international fora.  

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