Latest news with #ConferenceofEuropeanRabbis
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
European rabbis cancel Sarajevo meeting citing political pressure
SARAJEVO (Reuters) -Organisers of a conference for Orthodox Jewish Rabbis in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo have moved it to another country, citing political pressure and a hotel's decision to cancel a mass booking. The Conference of European Rabbis (CER), which represents more than 1,000 mainstream Orthodox Jewish communities, was due to hold its biannual standing committee meeting next week in Bosnia to discuss issues facing Jews in Europe and religious freedom. The event faced a backlash in Muslim-majority Sarajevo after local media reported that the rabbis would pledge their support to Israel in the war in Gaza. "We have been made unwelcome," the CER's Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said in a statement, confirming the Sarajevo meeting was off and calling its treatment "disgraceful". The CER moved the conference to Munich, where it is based. Jakob Finci, president of Bosnia's Jewish Community, also said the hotel had cancelled the booking. The hotel did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. CER has no formal link to the state of Israel. Residents of Sarajevo, where about 11,000 people were killed during a 1992-1995 siege by Bosnian Serb forces, are sympathetic to the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip. "We must not allow that Sarajevo be the stage from which the genocide will be justified," Adnan Delic, the regional labour and social policy minister, wrote in a Facebook post, urging the organisers to cancel the meeting and authorities to ban it. Israel denies carrying out genocide in Gaza. Many Jews worry about a surge of antisemitism since the Gaza war began.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
European rabbis cancel Sarajevo meeting citing political pressure
SARAJEVO - Organisers of a conference for Orthodox Jewish Rabbis in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo have moved it to another country, citing political pressure and a hotel's decision to cancel a mass booking. The Conference of European Rabbis (CER), which represents more than 1,000 mainstream Orthodox Jewish communities, was due to hold its biannual standing committee meeting next week in Bosnia to discuss issues facing Jews in Europe and religious freedom. The event faced a backlash in Muslim-majority Sarajevo after local media reported that the rabbis would pledge their support to Israel in the war in Gaza. "We have been made unwelcome," the CER's Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said in a statement, confirming the Sarajevo meeting was off and calling its treatment "disgraceful". The CER moved the conference to Munich, where it is based. Jakob Finci, president of Bosnia's Jewish Community, also said the hotel had cancelled the booking. The hotel did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. CER has no formal link to the state of Israel. Residents of Sarajevo, where about 11,000 people were killed during a 1992-1995 siege by Bosnian Serb forces, are sympathetic to the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip. "We must not allow that Sarajevo be the stage from which the genocide will be justified," Adnan Delic, the regional labour and social policy minister, wrote in a Facebook post, urging the organisers to cancel the meeting and authorities to ban it. Israel denies carrying out genocide in Gaza. Many Jews worry about a surge of antisemitism since the Gaza war began. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
European rabbis cancel Sarajevo event after minister's boycott call
The Conference of European Rabbis (CER) has cancelled its upcoming meeting in Sarajevo after a minister called for a boycott of the event, the organization's president said on Wednesday. Calls by Adnan Delić, the labour minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), led the hotel hosting the event to cancel the booking, CER President and Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said. The FBiH is one of the two political entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside the Republika Srpska. In a post on Facebook, Delić denounced Israel's role in the war in the Gaza Strip and demanded that Sarajevo not become a "venue for supporting genocide." "We have been made unwelcome, and this last-minute, ministerial boycott of Jewish European citizens, dedicated to purely to promoting Jewish life in Europe and furthering dialogue and democracy across the continent, is disgraceful," Goldschmidt wrote in a statement. He thanked the German city of Munich for agreeing at the last minute to host the meeting, planned for June 16-18. During the Bosnian war from 1992-95, 11,000 citizens lost their lives in Sarajevo, when the city was besieged by Serbian troops. The war killed almost 100,000 people and displaced 2 million. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to large populations of Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats. Delić wrote that the CER had misused Sarajevo as a place "to send a message legitimizing the occupation and systematic destruction of the Palestinian people." Goldschmidt rejected this, emphasizing that CER events promote dialogue and calling the cancellation "Sarajevo's loss." The CER has around 1,000 members and 800 active rabbis in its ranks. According to its own statements, it advocates for the religious rights of Jews in Europe and is committed to religious freedom and interfaith dialogue with other faiths.
Mint
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Pope Francis' death: 'Beacon of humility and spiritual courage'— PM Modi, King Charles, other world leaders pay tribute
The world united in mourning on Monday, April 21, as news broke of the passing of Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Known for his humility, compassion, and deep commitment to social justice, the Argentine-born pope breathed his last in the Vatican, leaving behind a spiritual legacy that transcended borders, faiths, and ideologies. Leaders from across the world expressed their sorrow, recalling personal memories and reflecting on the profound impact of Pope Francis on the global stage. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tribute, saying, 'Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis... Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage.' He fondly remembered their meetings, adding, 'His affection for the people of India will always be cherished.' Pope Francis with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the United Kingdom, King Charles issued an emotional statement: "His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith." He recalled their recent meeting earlier in April, noting it brought him and the Queen great comfort. His Holiness with King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, 'From Buenos Aires to Rome, Pope Francis wanted the Church to bring joy and hope to the poorest… May this hope be reborn endlessly beyond him.' Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a moving message in Italian, calling him 'un grande uomo e un grande pastore' (a great man and a great pastor). She remembered his spiritual counsel and teachings, saying, 'Il suo magistero e la sua eredità non andranno perduti' (His teachings and legacy will not be lost). Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with Pope Francis From Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shared his sorrow: 'I mourn the passing of Pope Francis. His commitment to peace, social justice, and the most vulnerable leaves a profound legacy. Rest in peace.' [translated from Spanish] Pope Francis alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof honored the late pontiff as 'een voorbeeld voor zeer velen' (an example for many), emphasising his service, humility, and relevance even to non-Catholics. Malta's PM Robert Abela recalled Pope's visit to the island and his 'tireless efforts for peace', while US Vice President JD Vance, who met him just a day before, wrote, 'My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.' US Vice President JD Vance with Pope Francis, a day before his passing. Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, on behalf of the Conference of European Rabbis, expressed 'deep sorrow on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,' and fondly recalled their meetings and the Pope's 'untiring efforts in promoting peace.' Pope Francis with Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to assume the papacy in 2013. His reign was marked by a strong emphasis on mercy, care for the poor, climate justice, and interfaith dialogue. Even in his final days, he continued to inspire with a message of love and unity. First Published: 21 Apr 2025, 07:17 PM IST
