In response to the Executive Order signed Friday by President Trump, the Rabbinical Council of America (the nation’s leading Orthodox rabbinic organization in North America) and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization), reaffirm the principles of the joint statement we issued in December 2015.

We said then:

“We call on all Americans to reaffirm that discrimination against any group based solely upon religion is wrong and anathema to the great traditions of religious and personal freedoms upon which this country was founded.”

We further stated that “we recognize that the complex issues that face us in ensuring the safety and security from terror of innocents and free societies throughout the world need to be addressed, but need to be done in sober and responsible ways. We call upon….the United States government to recognize the threats posed by radical Islamists, while preserving and protecting the rights of all people who seek peace, no matter how they worship God.”