The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish synagogue organization with nearly 1,000 synagogues nationwide, is outraged about the plans to broadcast the Protocols of the Elders of Zion on a television series in Egypt during Ramadan. This series, entitled “Horsemen Without a Horse,” is consistent with vicious and virulently anti-Semitic articles, cartoons, and other expressions in the government-sanctioned Egyptian press. This pattern of incitement to hatred of Israel and the Jewish people has been an ongoing problem in Egypt despite repeated requests for its cessation. In an era of satellite communications and with the advent of Al Jazeera and many other Arabic television stations, this viciously anti-Semitic program will have widespread and international repercussions.

“The fact that media outlets in Egypt under governmental control and subject to governmental approval continue to broadcast and publish anti-Semitic content undermines any possibility of normalization of relations between Israel and her neighbors,” said Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and Communal Affairs.

“We call upon Secretary of State Colin Powell to raise this at the highest levels and press the government of Egypt to stop the broadcast of “Horsemen Without a Horse” and other programs containing elements of anti-Semitic incitement.

“We call on President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt to exercise responsibility and take concrete steps to eliminate anti-Semitic articles and cartoons from the Egyptian newspapers and broadcast media. Airing this kind of anti-Semitic program especially during Ramadan, the Muslim holy time, incites hatred and dashes discourages any hopes of ever creating an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence in the Middle East.”