Press Statement
Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
on the stabbings people during Hanukkah
New York –29 December 2019
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), Mr. Miguel Moratinos strongly condemns the horrific stabbing of five people on the 7th day of Hanukkah at a Rabbi’s home. The stabbings by a knife-wielding man took place in an Orthodox Jewish Community in Monsey, north of New York City. The son of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg was one of those injured in the attack in his father’s home.
The High Representative notes that this anti-Semitic attack is yet another hate crime targeting Jewish people and should come to stop. Saturday’s attack is the latest in a string of anti-Semitic attacks on the Jewish community including the rampage at a New Jersey kosher market on 10 December and the killing of a man as he walked into a synagogue in Monsey last month.
The High-Representative reiterates that such cowardly attacks should not be tolerated and should be unequivocally denounced. He stresses that this spate of violence against people based on their religion or belief should not obstruct our collective efforts to combat hatred, anti- Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination.
The High Representative notes that as this year draws to a close, it’s time for reflection on what we share together as “One Humanity” regardless of our diverse cultures, religions, beliefs or ethnicity.
On behalf of UNAOC, the High Representative expresses his deepest sympathies with those who were injured and wishes them a speedy recovery.