American Jewish Committee Deplores Rabbi Yosef's Slanderous Remarks

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 7 August 2000

The American Jewish Committee is deploring Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's remarks denigrating Holocaust victims and slandering Palestinian Arabs.

"Though Rabbi Yosef now claims that his Holocaust comments of Saturday evening were misinterpreted, we nevertheless are deeply pained that a spiritual leader of his stature would cast aspersions on Jews murdered by the Nazis," said Bruce M. Ramer, president of the American Jewish Committee.

"We expect political and spiritual leaders to choose their words carefully," said Mr. Ramer. "How the spiritual leader of a major political party could possibly articulate a view, as he did Saturday evening, that Holocaust victims are 'sinners' is beyond comprehension."

Mr. Ramer also criticized Rabbi Yosef for his disparaging remarks regarding Palestinians.

"There really is no place in Israeli society nor in the Jewish tradition for Rabbi Yosef's outrageous comments. Such views do not contribute to the climate and culture of peace which all Israel – and the Jewish people – desire to achieve with Israel's Arab neighbors."

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