Jewish groups have strongly criticized a Presbyterian Church delegation from the United States for meeting with Hezbollah leaders. The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the umbrella body of American Jewry, called the meeting “irresponsible.” During the encounter, which was broadcast this week on the Beirut-based "Al Manar" satellite network, a church elder was shown praising Hezbollah, which is at war with Israel and has been included by the US State Department on its list of terrorist groups. The Zionist Organization of America also criticized the delegation for meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Jewish officials recently met with Presbyterian leaders after the church in July had called for divestment from companies that do business with Israel.
