Historic Jewish-Christian Collaboration

“Just as Christians defend Jews against anti-Semitism, just as Christians support Israel, we Jews have an obligation to speak out against the growing persecution of Christians in many parts of the world.

“Islamist extremists have launched a full-fledged assault upon our Western values, and Jews and Christians must work hand-in-hand to defeat this threat.”

So announced the President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, at the Feast of Tabernacles 2014 ceremonies held last Autumn. As head of the main umbrella organisation representing Jews throughout the world, he was taking part in a historic initiative with the leaders of two global Christian bodies, one of which was the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). They sent a joint letter to 120 world leaders demanding their urgent action to halt the brutal persecution of Christians in the Middle East.

ICEJ has reported further upon this as follows:

“This joint letter challenged the leaders of 95 democratic countries over the worsening situation for Christian minorities across the Middle East. Besides the Western-led air campaign to roll back the advances of the Islamic State terror militia in Iraq and Syria, democratic countries have responded so far by providing relief aid in refugee camps and opening the door to more Christian refugees from the Middle East. Otherwise, the international community has been ineffective in confronting this on-going tragedy, and the ICEJ felt compelled to sound the alarm.

“The joint letter was co-signed by ICEJ Executive Director Dr. Jürgen Bühler, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder, and Dr. William M. Wilson, President and Co-chairman of the Empowered21 Global Council. Dr. Bühler noted that the participation of Lauder as head of the main umbrella organisation representing world Jewry made this an historic initiative.

“Over recent months, the Christian Embassy has been receiving official replies from various heads of state and foreign ministries. All express concern regarding the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, but the level of commitment to affect change varies. Many offer to continue to raise awareness of Christian persecution in international forums, as well as to sponsor groups which promote religious liberties. Some also note that they have eased the way in recent months for more persecuted Christians to enter their countries as refugees…”

Some of the responses received by early January have been published. Those from Britain, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Macedonia and South Korea may be read here.