Friday, December 02, 2011
2203 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
United StatesTitle
Combating Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Region: Taking Stock of the Situation Today
Official Transcript:
Members:
Name:
Hon. Chris Smith
Title Text:
Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Ben Cardin
Title Text:
Co-Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Steve Cohen
Title Text:
Commissioner
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Name:
Hon. Eliot Engel
Title Text:
Congressman
Body:
U.S. House of Representatives
Name:
Hon. Trent Franks
Title Text:
Congressman
Body:
U.S. House of Representatives
Name:
Hon. Frank Wolf
Title Text:
Congressman
Body:
U.S. House of Representatives
Witnesses:
Name:
Hannah Rosenthal
Title:
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism
Body:
State Department
Statement:
Name:
Rabbi Andrew Baker
Title:
Chairman-in-Office's Personal Representative
Body:
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Name:
Stacy Burdett
Title:
Director, Government and National Affairs
Body:
Anti-Defamation League
Statement:
Name:
Mark Levin
Title:
Executive Director
Body:
National Conference on Soviet Jewry
Statement:
Name:
Dr. Shimon Samuels
Title:
International Director
Body:
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Statement:
By most accounts, and thanks to the work of many courageous nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) the despicable evil of anti-Semitism has decreased in most parts of the OSCE region in recent years – but it still remains at higher levels than in 2000. This is simply unacceptable, and it was the topic discussed in this hearing.
Concerns raised included political transitions in the Arab world and how they might affect Muslim-Jewish relations, including in Europe; the importance of engagement with Muslim communities in Europe; and growing nationalist and extremist movements that target religious and ethnic minorities. Additionally the roles of the OSCE, U.S. government, and Congress in addressing continuing issues of anti-Semitism at home and abroad were discussed.
Relevant issues:
Relevant countries:
Leadership: