New York, NY, September 3, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis in Europe for the masses of displaced people fleeing the ravages of conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and other countries in the Middle East.
ADL noted that sickening images of women and children who died while trying to save themselves and of thousands left stranded on train platforms shock the conscience.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:
The crisis in Europe is being described as the worst since World War II.
As Jews, we are particularly affected by the images of men, women and children forced to flee their homes to save themselves only to find they are unwanted anyplace else. As human beings, we are profoundly moved by their plight to stand up, speak out and demand that political leaders and civil society act now to prevent any further deterioration of this tragic situation.
An urgent response is needed – not only to the crisis at Europe’s borders, but also to resolving the devastating conflict in Syria, which has produced more than four million refugees.
The international community must take a stand to protect refugees fleeing armed conflict, repression or religious and ethnic persecution. World leaders must not turn their backs on the fundamental commitment to refugee protection and should work to settle these families in a humane and just manner.
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from Syria’s civil war in 2013, ADL joined with a number of other Jewish organizations to form the Jewish Coalition for Syrian Refugees in Jordan. Through legislative advocacy, litigation and public awareness campaigns, ADL has promoted fair and humane immigration policies since its founding in 1913.