Israeli President Reuven Rivlin expressed his “support and solidarity” in a letter to Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents, and the wider American Jewish community, in the aftermath of the neo-Nazi and white nationalist riots in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend.
“The very idea that in our time we would see a Nazi flag – perhaps the most vicious symbol of anti-Semitism – paraded in the streets of the world’s greatest democracy, and Israel’s most cherished and greatest ally is almost beyond belief,” Rivlin noted.
“We have seen manifestations of anti-Semitism again and again arise across the world; in Europe and the Middle East. In the face of such evil, we stand now as we did then….With faith in humanity, with faith in democracy, and with faith in justice. I know that the great nation of the United States of America and its leaders will know how to face this difficult challenge, and prove to the world the robustness and strength of democracy and freedom.”
Rivlin’s statements comes amid heightened racial tensions in the U.S. following the events in Charlottesville, which saw one women killed and at least 19 injured when a car driven by a white supremacist plowed into a crowd of people protesting a rally organized by white supremacists and neo-Nazis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the issue Tuesday, tweeting a strong message expressing “outrage” at the events.
Outraged by expressions of anti-Semitism, neo-Nazism and racism. Everyone should oppose this hatred.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2017
