NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress Executive Committee adopted six policy resolutions this week at its bi-annual meeting in London, concerning major issues facing the Jewish world including: proposed government bans on ritual slaughter and circumcision, controversies regarding respect for religious plurality in Israel, anti-Israel resolutions at UNESCO, and attempts to delegitimize the State of Israel, and condemnation of neo-Nazism and political extremism on both the radical left and right.
The following resolutions, setting the policy and position of the WJC, were adopted on behalf of the more than 100 Jewish communities represented by the organization.
Notes with concern that an “increasing number of European governments and parliaments have introduced legislation and regulations limiting the religious slaughter of animals,” and calls upon “governments to reject all proposals to ban Shechita, as these would constitute an infringement of the basic human right of freedom of religion and belief.”
The resolution also calls upon "all WJC-affiliated communities to help one another fight attempts to ban religious slaughter and other similar initiatives."
Resolution 2: Western Wall and Conversion Law: Call for Unity among all Jews and Mutual Respect
Notes that the Western Wall “forms a central part of Jewish history and holds deep significance for all Jews, regardless of religious practice, orientation, or gender” and laments the Israeli government’s recent decision to suspend an agreement to create an official space for egalitarian worship. The resolution also laments “the Israeli government’s decision to support a conversion bill in the Knesset that aims to delegitimize conversions to Judaism in Israel conducted otherwise than by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.”
The resolution upon the Israeli government to “urgently work toward finding solutions to these issues in the spirit of tolerance, respect, and accommodation,” and urges “productive dialogue between Israel and Diaspora communities in order to engender mutual understanding and ensure that Israel continues to fulfill its Zionist goal as the national home for all Jewish people.”
Resolution 3: UNESCO Resolution on Hebron
Notes the recent UNESCO resolution deeming the Old City of Hebron an “endangered Palestinian world heritage site” and categorically rejects “the assertions in the resolution that the Israeli presence in the Old City of Hebron poses ‘serious threats which could have deleterious effects on its inherent characteristics’.” The resolution calls such assertions “callous attempts by the Palestinian Authority to pervert the processes of the UN for its own sectarian and political purposes.”
It calls upon “the international community to resist, disrupt, and prevent this and other attempts to revise history and deny the connection of the Jewish people to its sites of national and religious heritage.”
Resolution 4: Celebrating the Centenary of the Balfour Declaration and Condemning BDS 
Acknowledges the 1917 Balfour Declaration as “the first official call by a government for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish People in the Land of Israel” and condemns “all moves aimed at connecting the centenary of the Balfour Declaration with attempts to revive the failed Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel.”
It urges urges “all governments to condemn the offensive and sometimes anti-Semitic rhetoric that characterizes the BDS movement and the views expressed by its supporters and adherents.”
Notes with concern that an “increasing number of European governments and parliaments have introduced legislation and regulations limiting practices such as non-medical male circumcision” and stresses “that all proposals to ban Brit Milah are unacceptable and constitute an infringement on the basic human right of freedom of religion and belief.”
It also encourages the creation of interfaith advocacy coalitions to combat ignorance, intolerance, and discrimination.
Resolution 6: Condemnation of Neo-Nazism/ Radical Right and Left
Notes with concern the “frightening reawakening of neo-Nazism and of the radical right and left, especially within political organizations in different parts of Europe,” and opposes “any attempt by Jewish communities, communal bodies, and members or officials of the government of Israel or the Knesset to meet or have any dealings with far-right political parties.”
It also recalls the history of “racism, bigotry, and religious persecution” in the United States and the “current resurgence of antisemitic actions emanating from both radical right and left groups,” and notes “that all individuals, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender are equal and entitled to the same civil rights, without exception.”
The resolution calls upon “law-enforcement agencies in all countries to closely monitor all such acts, and to enforce existing legislation proscribing hate speech and acts to the fullest extent,” and calls upon “decent people not to remain silent and not to allow hatred and bigotry to establish a foothold in any of the world's mainstream political systems.”
