The Chairmen and Founders of two of Europe’s leading Jewish and Christian Organisations - Rabbi Menachem Margolin of the European Jewish Association (EJA), representing hundreds of Jewish Communities across the Continent, and Tomas Sandell of the European Coalition for Israel (ECI) whose organisation of Christian organizations, grass root movements, and churches from different Christian cultures and backgrounds, represents the whole spectrum of Christian expression and advocates for a better understanding of Israel, made a joint statement today against the planned burning of a Jewish Bible.
“The burning of Holy Books of any kind is an abominable act."
“The fact that a majority of Swedes support a ban on the public burning of religious texts such as the Koran or the Bible should be enough to prevent this vile act of ‘protest’ taking place."
“Whilst we are deeply respectful of Constitutional rights and the EU’s own Charter of Fundamental Rights which states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association at all levels”, it is clear that the act of burning a bible in front of Israeli embassy in anything but peaceful."
“It is instead provocative, grossly inappropriate and designed solely to offend."
“The burning of the bible, or indeed any book, is reminiscent of the Nazi book burnings and the sinister warning contained in Ray Badbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Has Europe learned nothing?"
“The timing – the Jewish Sabbath, where communities across Europe will read their portion of the Torah would add grievous insult to deep injury."
“We urge all Swedish authorities and political representatives to stop this act from taking place tomorrow.”