SWC to German Parliamentarians: Bundestag Strong Words Against Anti-Semitism Must be Matched by Strong Stance Against Tehran

November 11, 2008

SWC TO GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIANS: BUNDESTAG STRONG WORDS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM MUST BE MATCHED BY STRONG STANCE AGAINST TEHRAN

In meetings in Berlin yesterday, Mark Weitzman, Director of the SWC's Task Force Against Hate, urged senior politicians to help halt Germany's high level of trade with Iran, especially as it relates to Iran's energy programs. Germany has been Iran's largest trade partner in the West, and has even shipped material to aid Iran's energy program.

In meetings with Petra Pau, (pictured with Weitzman) Vice-President of the Bundestag and Bundestag member Gert Weisskirchen, who serves as the Foreign Affairs spokesperson of the SPD and representative of the OSCE on Combating Anti-Semitism, Mr. Weitzman, who was invited to Germany in connection with the 70th commemoration of Kristallnacht said, "After the Bundestag passed a remarkable resolution against anti-Semitism, supplying Iran helps prop up the most dangerous anti-Semitic regime in the world, and increases the possibility of nuclear confrontation in the Middle East. Germany must match its actions to its words."

Both leaders expressed their own concern over the issue, and stressed that they would work to have it be examined in the Bundestag. They also pledged to mobilize parliamentarians to try and prevent the Durban II process from being hijacked and turned into another anti-Israel and antisemitic hatefest when it convenes at UN headquarters in Geneva Switzerland, in spring 2009

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe.

For more information, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310-553-9036.