2013’s Top 10 Issues Affecting Jews
/ AJT //
The launch of a diplomatic process on Iran’s nuclear program, concerns about rising global anti-Semitism, chemical weapons and civil war in Syria, the jump-started Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the election of Pope Francis and his symbolic steps to further Catholic-Jewish relations topped the Anti-Defamation League’s annual list of top issues affecting Jews in 2013.
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Also among the Top 10 issues affecting Jews: President Obama’s history-making visit to Israel, the proliferation of anti-Semitism on the internet, the rise of fascist, anti-immigrant neo-Nazi parties in Europe, anti-Israel activism on U.S. college campuses, and landmark Supreme Court decisions on marriage equality and voting rights that could change the face of civil rights in America for years to come.
“The diplomatic talks in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear program were a serious gamble for the U.S. and the other five countries involved, and now that there’s a limited initial agreement on the table there is also an open question of Iran is truly serious about conceding its nuclear weapons program and arriving at a comprehensive final agreement,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.
“We were very much encouraged by the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope Francis, a true friend of the Jewish community who has expressed a strong desire to foster Catholic-Jewish relations,” added Mr. Foxman. “And we have kept a close eye on the situation in Syria, which changes by the day and threatens to have serious repercussions for Israel and the entire region, particularly if Assad’s chemical weapons wind up in the wrong hands.”
“In the United States, there were profound changes on the civil rights landscape as the Supreme Court declared a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and struck down a critical component of the Voting Rights Act,” said Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair. “These were landmark decisions that could impact Americans and the Jewish community for years to come.”
ADL’S TOP 10 ISSUES AFFECTING JEWS IN 2013
- World powers negotiate with Iran, with limited results
- In visit to Jerusalem, Obama urges two-state solution
- Supreme Court decisions change landscape for civil rights in America
- Attacks against Jews increase globally; Neo-Nazis gain traction in Europe
- Election of Pope Francis bodes well for Catholic-Jewish relations
- Syrian civil war prompts refugee crisis; Assad fires chemical weapons
- Anti-Semitism challenges internet providers
- U.S. spearheads new round of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
- Anti-Israel Activity Spreads on American College Campuses
- Anti-Semitism declines domestically, but concerns remain
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_News
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