Episcopal Church rejects divestment, but other resolutions are hostile to Israel
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has commended the Episcopal Church for once again rejecting divestment directed against Israel, but expresses concern regarding open hostility toward Israel in other resolutions. The Episcopal Church is concluding its 79th triennial General Convention, held in Austin, Texas, at which these anti-Israel proposals were addressed.
The Church stopped short of divestment directed solely at Israel and instead charged its Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility to develop criteria for appropriate investment within a balanced approach toward human rights in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and encouraging positive investment as a productive tool.
This balanced approach, however, was undermined by resolutions that disproportionately focused on Israel and its need to defend itself against Gaza incitement, border riots, and violence emanating from the Palestinian territories, including the cynical use of children by Palestinian militants.
“Divestment against Israel was rejected as unhelpful in advancing an Episcopal Church role toward peace for Israelis and Palestinians. While we commend the Episcopal Church for that rejection, we are concerned that unbalanced anti-Israel voices were championed through several highly problematic resolutions,” said Emily Soloff, AJC’s Associate Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, who attended the General Convention as an invited guest and, along with ecumenical and international guests, offered greetings to the assembled.
AJC has long supported direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians leading to an enduring two-state solution, and, in that spirit, embraces interreligious partners who genuinely champion peace for Israelis and Palestinians. AJC would welcome working with the Episcopal Church toward that goal. — From American Jewish Committee
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Hungarian soccer team pays tribute to István Tóth, Righteous Gentile who was a former FTC player and coach
The Hungarian football team Ferencváros Torna Club (FTC), in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (MAZSIHISZ), held an unprecedented tribute to a Holocaust-era hero on Thursday prior to its UEFA Europa League Qualifier Match against Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Groupama Stadium in Budapest.
The Hungarian team’s move to dedicate the match to István Tóth, a former FTC player and coach, is the first concrete step being taken by the government to combat anti-Semitism following its joint declaration to that effect on behalf of 21 co-sponsoring nations delivered to the UN Human Rights Council, at the initiative of the WJC.
The event is also in line with the World Jewish Congress’ joint initiative with Chelsea Football Club to combat discrimination and anti-Semitism across the sports world. Both initiatives are being carried out under the guidance of WJC President Ronald S. Lauder, under the mandate of fighting ant-Semitism anywhere and everywhere it raises its head.
Tóth was an early Ferencvárosi TC player and later the club’s head coach before joining the Hungarian anti-fascist resistance, following Nazi Germany’s invasion of Hungary. Tóth helped several hundred Hungarians, including many Jews, escape Nazi detention and death before his arrest and execution in February 1945.
A special dedication ceremony was held prior to the match, in the presence of Ferencvárosi TC President Gabor Kubatov, Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Ben Mansford, MAZSIHIZS President Andras Heisler, and representatives of the World Jewish Congress, who spoke of the importance of remembering those who risked their lives for others and the need to combat anti-Semitism on and off the field.
The players of both clubs were then escorted onto the field by children wearing shirts adorned with Tóth’s likeness, as a symbol of civil society’s commitment to honoring heroes of tolerance and combating discrimination.
“The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is pleased that the Hungarian government is following through with its declared commitment to combat anti-Semitism, as expressed in its joint statement to the UNHRC last week on behalf of 21 co-sponsoring nations, at the initiative of the WJC, Robert Singer, WJC CEO, said. “Education and dialogue are critical elements to contending with xenophobia and and hatred of all kinds, and remembering the deeds of the Holocaust, both evil and altruistic, is essential to preventing the same atrocities from ever happening again. …
“It is enormously encouraging to see the Hungarian government make use of this central stage of Europa League Football to honor Istvan Toth, who risked his life for the sake of humanity and mutual respect. We look forward to witnessing and taking part in future initiatives of this kind, on both societal and governmental levels, in Hungary and across Europe,” Singer said. — From World Jewish Congress