Jerusalem Mayor Calls Shavuot Attack At Kotel Disgusting And Unforgivable

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 11 July 1997

In response to an American Jewish Committee letter condemning the Shavuot attack against Conservative Jews at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem by an ultra-Orthodox mob, Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert has written to AJC that "I absolutely sympathize with your emotions and reactions," further calling the incident "disgusting and unforgivable."

In addition, Mayor Olmert asserted that inflammatory remarks attributed to Deputy Mayor Haim Miller following the incident "are incorrect" and that "Mr. Miller passionately denies what the New York Times quoted him as saying."

The text of letter - which was sent to Robert S. Rifkind and David A. Harris, AJC President and Executive Director, respectively - reads, in part:

"I absolutely sympathize with your emotions and reactions as stated in your letter. The incident that you refer to is disgusting and unforgivable, but the statements made by Deputy Mayor Haim Miller, that you refer to in your letter, are incorrect and Mr. Miller passionately denies what the New York Times quoted him as saying.

"At my request, Mr. Miller denounced, in very harsh terms, those who orchestrated this event in the Israeli press. I, too, made some very strong statements [including] my interview on a Hebrew radio program condemning the nasty act of this small group. I instructed the police to take drastic measures, including arrests as this was truly an act of violence, and all types of violence in Jerusalem are forbidden on all sides toward any side.

"I hold the Conservative and Reform movements in the highest esteem, and as Mayor of Jerusalem, I am doing everything in my power to create an environment of cooperation among the divisions. The Israeli public knows my total impatience for anything of this nature, and I can assure you that I am constantly working towards tolerance and positive relationships between the residents of the city."

Mr. Rifkind commented: "We are very pleased and encouraged by Mayor Olmert's response to our letter and his determination to protect the diversity of religious expression in Jerusalem. The mayor has thereby reaffirmed Jerusalem's central position for Jews all over the world."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org