SWC Calls for Death Penalty Against Tree of Life Synagogue Gunman

June 16, 2023

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action at the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), issued the following statement calling for the death penalty against Robert Bowers, who was found guilty by a jury today of 22 capital charges — two for each of his victims: 11 charges of the federal crime of “obstruction of the free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death,” and 11 charges of the federal crime of “willfully causing bodily injury because of actual or perceived religion resulting in death,” which is a hate crime.
 
“The SWC expresses gratitude to the judicial system, and to the jury that elected to convict on all counts. This is the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in American history and Bowers should face the death penalty as this is the ultimate penalty for the ultimate crime. We also want to recognize the grieving families of the 11 victims. The support their neighbors and the Jewish community has shown them should be a model for all Americans.”

For further information contact the Center’s Communications department at pressinquiries@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. Media can also contact James Lambert, Vice President at Rubenstein Public Relations, at jlambert@rubensteinpr.com or at 212-805-3024.
 
About the Simon Wiesenthal Center: 
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).