September 2, 2014

OU Executive Vice Chairman Allen Fagin (front row, rightmost) joined American and European Jewish leaders joined U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (center) for a roundtable discussion on anti-Semitism.

Joining a group of American and European Jewish community leaders, OU Executive Vice Chairman Allen Fagin participated in a roundtable discussion today with Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the recent sharp increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric, vandalism and violence facing many Jewish communities worldwide.

During the discussion, Secretary Kerry reiterated the U.S. government’s deep concern about the prevalence and pervasiveness of anti-Semitic threats and attacks against Jewish individuals, houses of worship, and businesses during the past few months.

The roundtable discussion was hosted by Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Ira Forman. Several other senior State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Paul Jones, also participated in the meeting.

The State Department officials stressed that the U.S. government is monitoring reported incidents; reaching out to Jewish leaders to better assess conditions on the ground; and working closely through diplomatic channels to encourage governments to speak out against the rise in anti-Semitic threats and violence, and to ensure the security of Jewish communities.