AJC Welcomes President Rivlin's Denunciation of Violence Against Minorities

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Dec 28, 2015, 01:03 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomes Israeli President Reuven Rivlin's strong condemnation of any act of hostility toward people based on their religious or ethnic affiliation.

At the annual presidential reception for heads of Israeli Christian communities at his official residence, President Rivlin recalled his visit to the Vatican some months earlier and the statement by Pope Francis that a true Christian cannot be an anti-Semite. Rivlin added, "And I say to you that a true Jew cannot be anti-Christian or anti-Muslim." President Rivlin went on to stress the State of Israel's commitment to freedom of religion and worship, as well as its determination to protect its minority communities.

"In the wake of extremist attacks that have targeted Christians and Muslims sites," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC International Director of Interreligious Affairs, who attended the event, "the words of the President, echoing the views of the vast majority of Israelis, are especially welcome and important."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee