GENEVA - World Jewish Congress Jewish Diplomat Efrat Sopher (UK) delivered a statement on the United Nations Human Rights Council floor on March 19th on behalf of the WJC, warning the Council that the Persian Empire’s threat to eliminate the Jews 3,000 years ago is being repeated today through Hamas’s genocidal intentions.
“I am honored to speak on behalf of the World Jewish Congress, which represents Jews from over 100 countries.
Racism against the Jews dates back several millennia. Exactly 3,000 years ago today, the Persian Empire threatened the Jews with total elimination, which included my ancestors. Because of the courageous action taken by Queen Esther, I am able today to defend the right of Jews to exist. The Jews in Persia were forced to protect themselves from a Royal decree to eliminate a race. Jews today are facing the same threat to their survival.
Hamas’s racist terrorism is a clear and present danger to my people. Hamas is even more brutal than the Persians. Terrorists infiltrate the Israeli border disguised as civilians, dig tunnels, use abduction, torture and violence. Hamas uses their own people as human shields, which demonstrates how low they will go to eliminate the Jews.
This racism is on the rampage across the globe with Jew hatred manifested daily and it is only getting worse. Just as Queen Esther reacted to the threat immediately, we too, need to take action now to protect a nation.
Actions, like those of Hamas, of inciting racism and violence, and libel, will never lead to peace. And this Council must condemn these genocidal practices.”
The WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps is the diplomatic flagship program of the WJC, and a worldwide network of 300 Jewish professionals from 50 countries acting in the fields of diplomacy and public policy on behalf of world Jewry. Members of the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps have delivered over 80 statements on behalf of the WJC over the past five years at the UNHRC.
