Leading US rabbi defends Pontiff amid continued Israeli criticism of Yad Vashem remarks

May 13, 2009

Amid continued Israeli criticism of Pope Benedict’s address at Yad Vashem, New York Rabbi Arthur Schneier defended the Pontiff whom he welcomed to his synagogue last year. “It would be a tragic mistake to get stuck on one speech” said the president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. “We need allies, and time and time again-- in his speech to the chief rabbis, in his remarks to the president of Israel-- the pope keeps emphasizing the closeness [between Jews and Christians]. We need to focus on that, and on building on that visit. Would I have given a better speech? Yes, I would have. But that's not the end-all.”

 

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Further information:

• Editorial: A missed opportunity (Haaretz)
• Leading US rabbi defends Benedict's Yad Vashem speech (Haaretz)
• Analysis: Benedict missed a critical opportunity for reconciliation (Jerusalem Post)
• Mounting criticism of Pope’s Yad Vashem speech (CWN, May 12)