WIESENTHAL CENTER TO MEET WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI TO DISCUSS GLOBAL TERRORISM AND IRAN’S RECENT THREAT FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL

Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, will lead a delegation to the Vatican on Monday, November 14, 2005 for a private audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to discuss global terrorism and Iran’s recent call for the obliteration of the State of Israel. "Today, the greatest threat to mankind comes not from secularist and atheists, but from religious fanatics and zealots," said Rabbi Hier.

For a complete text of Rabbi Hier’s remarks and/or to schedule an interview contact the Center’s Public Relations department, 310-772-2458, or Rabbi Hier at the Intercontinental Hotel in Rome 011-3906-67331.

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