JCPA: Turkish Leader's Comments on Zionism Cross the Line of Acceptable Discourse.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs described Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s comments at a UN event in Vienna, that Zionism is a “crime against humanity” and akin to anti-Semitism and fascism, as “outrageous.” The organization called on world leaders to condemn it clearly and unequivocally and urged U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to raise it during his visit in Turkey later this week.

“These comments from one of the Middle East’s most important leaders, who has deep ties with the United States and the West, are outrageous,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “Calling Zionism -- the Jewish people’s movement for national self determination -- a ‘crime against humanity’ crosses the line between acceptable discourse and anti-Semitism. It should be condemned clearly and unequivocally by world leaders.”

“Erdogan’s hate speech, in essence, is a deeply unfortunate return to the vile UN Resolution 3379 equating Zionism with racism, which was revoked in 1992. Rather than delegitimizing Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state, the Turkish leader instead should use his influence to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” asserted JCPA Chair Larry Gold. “We hope Secretary of State John Kerry will take advantage of his upcoming visit to Turkey to convey U.S. concerns about this disturbing development.”

Source:  http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/c/627/p/salsa/web/blog/public/?blog_entry_KEY=6835

 

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