USCIRF | USCIRF Responds to Yom Kippur Attack in Germany

Washington, DC (Oct. 9, 2019) –  Based on emerging reports of the killing of at least two people near a synagogue and Jewish cemetery in Halle, Germany today on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Tony Perkins, Vice Chair Gayle Manchin, and Commissioner Johnnie Moore issued the following statements: “We are appalled by reports of an attack near a Jewish religious site on one of the Jewish high holy days. While USCIRF primarily focuses its work on other parts of the world where egregious religious violations routinely occur, we have become increasingly concerned about the rise in anti-Semitic activity across Europe,” said Chair Perkins.

“Today’s brazen attack on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar right outside of a synagogue in Halle is yet another terrible wake-up call to all of those in Europe and around the world who continue to be in denial about the resurgence of this age-old hatred against the Jewish people,” said Vice Chair Manchin, noting that USCIRF will be holding a hearing on protecting houses of worship on October 23rd at 3pm in Room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

“These incidents must stop and European leaders must become more vigilant in protecting Europe’s Jewish minorities, and we – at USCIRF – are putting the European Union on notice: you must do more to ensure your Jewish communities are safe and that the anti-Semitism festering within your borders is addressed,” said Commissioner Moore.

USCIRF Commissioner Gary L. Bauer hosted a summer seminar on anti-Semitism.  To view remarks and factsheets, click here.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at Media@USCIRF.gov or Dwight Bashir at dbashir@uscirf.gov or +1-703-898-6554.