Oy vey. What could this mean?
Two animals of the same litter
Oy vey. What could this mean?
Two animals of the same litter
>A letter sent by two US lawmakers urging the government of Iceland to reconsider proposed legislation banning male circumcision was applauded by a number of major American Jewish organizations on Tuesday. US Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), the committee’s ranking member, said in their statement that outlawing the practice would curtail religious freedoms and alienate Iceland’s minorities. “While Jewish and Muslim populations in Iceland may be small, your country’s ban could be exploited by those who stoke xenophobia and antisemitism in countries with more diverse populations,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. The congressmen added: “As a partner nation, we urge your government to stop this intolerant bill from advancing any further.” The letter was given to Icelandic Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Geir Haarde on April 5. The move was quickly heralded by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations – the largest Orthodox umbrella organization in the US – which told The Jerusalem Post, “We deeply appreciate the support of chairman Royce and ranking member Engel for working to safeguard the universal value of religious freedom.” “While Iceland’s Jewish community may be one of the smallest in the world, the legislation to ban male circumcision looms as a large assault upon Jewish – and Muslim – religious freedom and practice,” the OU continued. “Male circumcision is a fundamental ritual and sacred rite of passage for both the Jewish and Muslim communities. Throughout history, the prohibition of brit mila has been tantamount to rejection of the Jewish community’s existence. If passed, the Icelandic measure would create insurmountable challenges for Jews and Muslims living there,” the organization added.
>>A letter sent by two US lawmakers urging the government of Iceland to reconsider proposed legislation banning male circumcision was applauded by a number of major American Jewish organizations on Tuesday.
US Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), the committee’s ranking member, said in their statement that outlawing the practice would curtail religious freedoms and alienate Iceland’s minorities.
“While Jewish and Muslim populations in Iceland may be small, your country’s ban could be exploited by those who stoke xenophobia and antisemitism in countries with more diverse populations,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.
The congressmen added: “As a partner nation, we urge your government to stop this intolerant bill from advancing any further.”
The letter was given to Icelandic Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Geir Haarde on April 5.
The move was quickly heralded by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations – the largest Orthodox umbrella organization in the US – which told The Jerusalem Post, “We deeply appreciate the support of chairman Royce and ranking member Engel for working to safeguard the universal value of religious freedom.”
“While Iceland’s Jewish community may be one of the smallest in the world, the legislation to ban male circumcision looms as a large assault upon Jewish – and Muslim – religious freedom and practice,” the OU continued.
“Male circumcision is a fundamental ritual and sacred rite of passage for both the Jewish and Muslim communities. Throughout history, the prohibition of brit mila has been tantamount to rejection of the Jewish community’s existence. **If passed, the Icelandic measure would create insurmountable challenges for Jews and Muslims living there,”** the organization added.
(post is archived)