Persecution of Christians in the Middle East

Thank you Mr. President,

The rise of intolerance and the descent of public discourse threatens minority communities everywhere. As the representative body for the Jewish People, we at the World Jewish Congress carry with us the memory of where this can eventually lead.

It is why, Mr. President, this Council must do everything it can to protect Christians in the Middle East, the last remaining substantial minority in the Arab world. Now one of the most persecuted religions on earth, it is important for us as Jews to advance our voice in the protection of this vulnerable population.

As World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said following the terrorist attacks against two Coptic churches in Egypt in April 2017, “These attacks are a threat not just against Christians, but against all people in the world.”

According to a 2019 report sponsored by the UK government, over 1 million Christians have fled Iraq since 2003. In Syria, 1 million more have fled since 2011. In Iran, conversion to Christianity is punishable by imprisonment and even death.

Mr President, the World Jewish Congress urges this Council and the entire international community to unite against the horrors of discrimination and persecution regardless of who sits around the table. Christians and all other minorities in the Middle East depend on it and we urge the Council to take swift and decisive action.

Thank you Mr President.