New York
20 February 2009
Ronald S. Lauder hails President Fernández de Kirchner for her "courageous decision"
The president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, has hailed as a positive move the order by Argentina’s Government to the Holocaust-denier Bishop Richard Williamson to leave the country within ten days or face expulsion.
“This decision is commendable, even more so because the government of Argentina makes it crystal clear that Holocaust deniers are not welcome in the country. Sadly, other countries and governments are much less inclined to crack down on any attempts to denigrate the victims of the Shoah. For this courageous decision, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her administration once again deserve praise,” the head of the World Jewish Congress pointed out.
Lauder expressed hope that the Argentinean decision to act against anti-Semitism and denial of the Holocaust would have a positive impact on other countries. One of the reasons for the expulsion that was given by Argentina’s Interior Ministry was that Williamson’s Holocaust denial "profoundly insults Argentine society, the Jewish community and all of humanity by denying an historic truth." Until he was relieved his post earlier this month, Williamson acted as director of the Society of St. Pius X La Reja seminary in Argentina.
The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 90 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations.
