Me Philippe Grumbach, President of the Jewish Community of Geneva

Mr. Président du Grand Conseil Jean-Marie Voumard

Reverend Monsignor Mauro Cionini, Conseiller du Nonce Apostolique

Rav Pinhas Goldschmidt, President CER, Chief Rabbi of Moscow

Chief Rabbis, Beth Din Judges from across Europe

Faith leaders from the Christian and Muslim communities

Dear Friends,

ברוכים הבאים לז'נבה – Welcome to Geneva

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Jewish life here in Geneva and across Switzerland is vibrant. I have been here for nearly four years now, and there is not a week without a celebration, a cultural event, a wedding, or a birth! This is fantastic to see communities thriving like this one. And I want to take this opportunity to thank all those people involved in the so many diverse organizations and institutions for making Jewish life a positive experience.

Indeed, 75 years after the Shoah, Jewish life in Europe has seen a tremendous growth. Unfortunately, antisemitism and hatred has grown in parallel. 

Over the past decade, we have seen a worrying trend of anti-Semitic threats and assaults; desecration of cemeteries; and deadly attacks on schools and synagogues. The latest being in Halle over Yom Kippur.

This is not a phenomenon unique to Europe. But one that also threatens Jewish life in the US, in South America and elsewhere.

We all agree that every believer shall be allowed to practice his/her faith, wherever they are, wherever they live. From birth to death. 

This is a given in Israel, the homeland of the Jewish People. 121 years ago, our founding fathers gathered in Switzerland  to develop and materialize the Zionist dream: the right for self-determination for the Jewish People. This was the response to violent antisemitism and growing limitations on the practice of the Jewish faith.

Today, Israel exists and it will always be a safe haven for Jews from around the world. 

I am returning from a week-long study tour in Israel with a delegation of 8 Ambassadors to the United Nations here in Geneva. Representatives of European, Asian, African and South American countries; representatives of all faiths. As you know, the image of Israel is being distorted at the United Nations, so I wanted to show them the reality on the ground. Show them the diversity of our population, the innovative spirit transforming the economy, the historical sites, the freedom of religion and worship. The strong democracy Israel is to all its citizens, no matter to which faith or minority group they belong.

 

I spend a lot of time at the Human Rights Council – a Council, which became a battleground for Israel, and a playground for the Palestinians and their supporters. Here, and in many other international forums, they try to change the narrative, erase any connection between the Jewish people and its ancestral homeland.

With such politicization, absurd resolutions are adopted with an automatic majority. Resolutions such as those passed at UNESCO or at the UN General Assembly in New York, which try to erase the millennial history between the Jewish People and Jerusalem.

This is not a problem only for the Jewish people. It is also a problem for believers from monotheistic religions. Christianity and Islam were born from Judaism.

The sanctity of Jerusalem must be preserved. This is a commitment of the State of Israel since its establishment and in its Charter of Independence. A commitment to protect and ensure access to believers of all faith to their holy sites. Their freedom of worship.

 

Dear friends,

Religions can unfortunately serve as a destructive tool. We tragically experience it with some terror organizations, which base their deadly ideologies on religious grounds. We have seen it throughout centuries, across the globe. This is the danger of extremism. Letting radical people hijack a whole civilization to spread intolerance and hatred. This has become a dangerous reality today.

This is why I believe in a dialogue between religions and religious leaders. Religions can bring people together. They can create bridges and understanding. Mitigate hatred. Promote tolerance and acceptance. Reduce hatred, antisemitism, islamophobia, xenophobia, racism and intolerance!

This is my hope for the future. A world for our children and grandchildren free from violence. Where everyone can live in peace, the way they believe in. In acceptance with its neighbor.

 

We say in Hebrew in משנה מסכת אבות [Mishna Masechet Avot] “עשה לך רב” [Asse lecha rav], which can be translated as “Make for yourself a Rabbi” - Acquire for yourself a friend and judge every person in their favor.

And Hillel would say: “In a place where there are no people, strove to be a person.”

And I am saying here today that you are the Rabbis, the Imams, the Clergy and the spiritual leaders that hold one of those keys for making a better world. You are those who can teach your followers to be better persons and make the saying “ואהבת לרעך כמוך” [V'Ahavta Lereiacha Kamocha] “To love your fellow as yourself” our way of life.

Thank you.