Latest American Jewish Committee Stories
NEW YORK, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC, convinced that Israel's presence in the West Bank is based on solid legal ground, called on the Israeli government to reject the recommendations of the Levy Commission as a distraction from the ongoing quest for a negotiated two-state solution. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) "It's clear to us that Israel's role in the West Bank does not fit the standard legal definition of 'occupation,'" said AJC...
NEW YORK, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC marks the 18th anniversary of the terror attack on the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires--the deadliest terrorist attack against a Jewish target in the Diaspora in decades--with a call to the international community to aid Argentina in bringing the Iranian and Hezbollah perpetrators to justice. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) "Those governments truly committed to combating international...
NEW YORK, July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC commends the Presbyterian Church (USA) decision to reject divestment from three companies doing business with Israel. The divestment resolution was narrowly defeated by two votes (333-331) last night in a divisive debate at the PCUSA's biennial General Assembly in Pittsburgh. An amended resolution which called for "positive investment" and urged interfaith collaboration supporting development that could lead to a future Palestinian...
NEW YORK, July 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A 17-year-old Jewish student, on a train from Toulouse to Lyon, was attacked and badly beaten last night. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) He is a student at the Ozar HaTorah school in Toulouse, the scene of a deadly terrorist attack in March that left three children and one teacher dead. The young man was wearing a visible Star of David around his neck when the brazen assault on the train took place. In...
NEW YORK, June 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC is deeply disappointed with UNESCO's decision to designate the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem an "endangered site." The UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the Palestinian request to add the church to its list of sites in danger. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) "UNESCO regrettably accepted in October 'Palestine' as a full member, and now is compounding that error by endorsing the Palestinian...
NEW YORK, June 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC praised the growing number of governments calling for a "moment of silence" at the upcoming Olympics in London in memory of the 11 Israeli athletes murdered 40 years ago. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has never held an official memorial during the Olympics, and last month rejected requests to do it at the July 27 opening ceremony for the 2012 games. "The 11...
BERLIN, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC criticized a German court's ban of circumcision as an infringement on private religious practice. A district court in Cologne ruled that circumcision is acceptable only when performed as a medical necessity. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) "We are deeply concerned about the court's lack of understanding of basic religious freedom," said AJC Berlin Director Deidre Berger. "This decision throws into...
NEW YORK, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A vile anti-Semitic speech by Iran's vice premier "is a startling reminder of the odious nature of this dangerous regime," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "This Iranian government consistently has projected its hatred of Jews, threatened Israel's destruction, while aggressively pursuing nuclear-weapons capability." (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) Addressing the UN international drug conference...
NEW YORK, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomed EU confirmation that prohibitions on importing Iranian oil will go into effect, as scheduled, on July 1. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) The EU had adopted the sanctions in January, but gave the 27 member states nearly six months to make alternative arrangements for purchasing oil. Responding to concerns in a few European countries, the EU met today to confirm the earlier decision. "Full...
NEW YORK, June 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC has honored Cornell University President David J. Skorton with the global Jewish advocacy organization's prestigious Avraham Harman Leadership Award. Skorton received the award in appreciation of his "inspired leadership in fostering unique U.S.-Israel academic relationships to advance the frontier of human knowledge and understanding." (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) The award was presented this week...
