Ronald S. Lauder favours bigger role for Germany in the Middle East

Berlin
01 October, 2007

The President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, held talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Steinmeier in Berlin

BERLIN – The President of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, met on Monday with Germany’s Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin. It was Lauder’s first meeting with Germany’s political leadership since he was elected WJC President in June 2007. The WJC President  was accompanied to the meetings by the President of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), Moshe Kantor, the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany and WJC Vice-President, Charlotte Knobloch, and the new WJC Secretary-General, Michael Schneider. The talks focused on rising anti-Semitism in Europe, on the protection of vulnerable Jewish communities in Germany and central and eastern European countries, and on Iran’s nuclear program that threatens the existence of the State of Israel.

Ronald S. Lauder told Chancellor Merkel about his growing concerns regarding Iran’s aggressive stance in the Middle East. “We must not let fanatics such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad destabilize the entire region, “ the WJC President said, adding, “Six decades after the Holocaust, Germany – under Mrs. Merkel's leadership – commands sufficient  respect among the family of nations  to be a  measured and moderate force in world affairs. It has become a symbol for democracy, the rule of law and the protection of minorities in the world.”

The WJC President also supported tough measures against the threat posed by Islamist terrorism: “Not only Jews, but Western society as a whole needs the strong democratic state,” he pointed out. Lauder condemned developments  in certain central European countries where far-right paramilitary groups were being formed and who parade in the streets. He said: “The specter of Nazism and Fascism must not be allowed to get the upper hand again in Europe.” Lauder supported calls by German NGOs for an annual report on anti-Semitism to be compiled, following the example of other countries.

Pictures of the meeting are available from Bundesbildstelle in Berlin (Tel. +49 30 18 272 2331) and will shortly be available at www.worldjewishcongress.org.

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The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in over 80 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to world governments and international organizations. The WJC is the international organization representing Jewish communities in over 80 countries around the world. It serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to world governments and international organizations.

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