Political leaders need to speak out against the anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric and acts, OSCE tolerance representative says

WASHINGTON D.C., 22 July, 2014 - With reference to demonstrations in many places in the OSCE area, sparked recently by tensions in the Middle East, and in a few cases with manifestations of intolerance, especially of anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts, Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, underlined the importance of the Berlin Declaration. This declaration, adopted ten years ago by the participating States of the OSCE, reads: “[We] declare unambiguously that international developments or political issues, including those in Israel or elsewhere in the Middle East never justify anti-Semitism.”

“Events taking place today in the OSCE region show how important it is to remember those words,” said Rabbi Andrew Baker. Political leaders need to speak out and act quickly against the anti-Semitic attacks as well as reject and condemn all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions, he emphasized.

Participating States should ensure that all available legal measures are taken to prevent further outbreaks of anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric and acts, and continue to foster a climate of mutual tolerance and respect in accordance with OSCE commitments, he underlined. 

Rabbi Andrew Baker added that the Swiss Chairmanship of the OSCE, together with the German Foreign Ministry and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), will organize a commemorative event for the 10th anniversary of the Berlin conference in November 2014. “This conference comes very timely to address today’s challenges and strengthen our efforts,” he stressed.