Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger
Photo: Shimon Malka
Pope Benedict XVI
Photo: AFP
Rabbi Metzger to Europe: Don’t stay silent against Iran
Vatican conference dedicates day to Catholic-Jewish dialogue. Israel’s chief rabbi gives speech, urges Europeans not to remain silent in face of Iranian threat
Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger gave a speech Wednesday before the Italian Parliament at a conference on Judaism and inter-religious dialogue in Rome sponsored by Pope Benedict XVI.
During his speech, Rabbi Metzger urged the European people to stand against the Iranian threat. “Stop being indifferent and do not remain silent against the Iranian threat,” he said.
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"To remain inert before Iran today is a grave sin," he added, “Europeans of all people should know from past experience that it all starts with declarations that should not be taken lightly, since after threats come actions.”
Metzger continued, “I am here before you today as a warning sign and as a messenger of the Jewish people to tell you that there are those who imitate the Nazi leader with serious declarations against my people and my country.”
The rabbi also said, “We must do everything in our power to defeat terror and the use of religion for violent purposes.”
In addition to his comments on fighting terror, Israel’s chief rabbi also referred to the issue of the kidnapped soldiers. “Isn’t it an elementary thing for the soldiers’ parents to at least know if their sons are healthy, or even alive,” the rabbi asked.
Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI called on Christians and Jews to work together for world peace.
"I invite all to ... invoke the Lord so that Christians and Jews respect each other, appreciate each other and cooperate for justice and peace in the world," Benedict told thousands of faithful during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
The pope has been reaching out to Jews, following in the footsteps of his
predecessor, the late John Paul II. Benedict visited a synagogue in Cologne, Germany, during his first trip abroad as pontiff in 2005.
Metzger thanked the Vatican for hosting the conference and said that he was confident that such events would aide in reducing anti-Semitism in the world.
