Jews leave Switzerland's inter-religious working group

The Holy Sites in Jerusalem

The war between the Palestinians of Hamas and Israel also divides religions in Switzerland. The two representatives of the Jewish umbrella associations are leaving the committee of the Interreligious Working Community in Switzerland IRAS COTIS with immediate effect on the grounds that it is chaired by a pro-Palestinian Islamologist.

IRAS COTIS brings together 70 religious communities and aims to promote exchanges between them. It is mainly financed by public authorities, churches and foundations. The reason for the resignation of the Jewish associations is the person of the president, Islamologist Rifa'at Lenzin, reports NZZ am Sonntag. An expert in interreligious dialogue, a teacher at the universities of Friborg and Bern, she is also a member of the Swiss-Palestine Association (ASP).

An association hostile to Israel

For Jonathan Kreutner, secretary general of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (FSCI), this membership “represents a fundamental breakdown in trust in the Jewish community.” Questioned by the NZZ am Sonntag, the Jewish leader indicates that he contacted her and that he hoped until the end that Rifa'at Lenzin would leave the controversial association in the interest of inter-religious dialogue. But since she was not ready to do so and she also did not make her position as president available, he had no choice but to resign.

The Switzerland-Palestine association is considered hostile to Israel. As national advisor to the Greens, President Geri Müller invited representatives of Hamas to the Federal Palace in 2012. The association denounces Israel as a “colonialist apartheid state” and calls for a boycott of certain products from Israel.

“For personal and family reasons, I have been committed to the legitimate rights of Palestinians for many years,” replied Rifa’at Lenzin. This is why joining the ASP is “logical” for her.

Interreligious dialogue in danger?

Reformed pastor Christoph Knoch, vice-president of IRAS COTIS, regrets that “years of work and building trust are in danger”. He said he was dismayed by certain statements from the Switzerland-Palestine group. Thus, it is unacceptable to question Israel's right to exist. Whether the president is a member is a personal and private decision. “However, I would have liked her to look at things with a more critical eye,” said the pastor.

Attacks on the Federal Commission against Racism

Rifa’at Lenzin is also a member of the Federal Commission against Racism (CFR). Today, she is also the subject of criticism within the framework of this mandate. The CFR reacted with reserve to these accusations. Its President, Martine Brunschwig Graf, notes that the Commission is also very concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism. But she also recalls that in 14 years of presence, Ms. Lenzin has done excellent work, that she is a competent expert, who has always been committed to the fight against racism and anti-Semitism. She also emphasizes that a distinction must be made between legitimate criticism of Israel and anti-Semitic remarks.

Source

Psalm 121

Laetatus sum in his. The desire and hope of the just for the coming of the kingdom of God, and the peace of his church.

1 I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. 

Canticum graduum. Laetatus sum in his quae dicta sunt mihi : In domum Domini ibimus.

2 Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem.

Stantes erant pedes nostri in atriis tuis, Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.

Jerusalem, quae aedificatur ut civitas, cujus participatio ejus in idipsum.

4 For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.

Illuc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini, testimonium Israel, ad confitendum nomini Domini.

5 Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David.

Quia illic sederunt sedes in judicio, sedes super domum David.

6 Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee

Rogate quae ad pacem sunt Jerusalem, et abundantia diligentibus te. [Psalms 121:6]

7 Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers.

Fiat pax in virtute tua, et abundantia in turribus tuis.

8 For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee.

Propter fratres meos et proximos meos, loquebar pacem de te.

9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.

Propter domum Domini Dei nostri, quaesivi bona tibi.