Wiesenthal Center; Presbyterian Church's Resolution Declaring Suicide Bombing 'Crime Against Humanity' Boosts International Campaign To Curb Scourge Of 21st Century

Wiesenthal Center; Presbyterian Church's Resolution Declaring Suicide Bombing 'Crime Against Humanity' BoostsInternational Campaign To Curb Scourge Of 21st Century

The Simon Wiesenthal Center described the adoption by the U.S. Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) General Assembly of a resolutionconfirming any suicide bombing, 'a crime against humanity,’ - “A significant step forward in the campaign to curb what has emerged as terrorists’ most deadly tool of mass terror andmurder.”

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Wiesenthal Center said, “If this resolution were adopted by the internationalcommunity it would create a legal tool to go after those who incite, plan, and abet such activity. It would further empower victims and their families to take legal action against the food chainof terrorism."

“The Wiesenthal Center calls on all churches and NGOs to follow PCUSA's lead and work together for the adoption of thisimportant initiative,” concluded Cooper.

Rabbi Cooper, Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, the Center’s Director of Interfaith Affairs and Dr. Judea Pearl, father of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal writer murdered by jihadists in Pakistanattended the PCUSA General Assembly to urge that anti-Israel divestment resolution be rescinded. It was replaced by resolution calling for proactive actions to benefit both Palestinians andIsraelis.

Since 2003, the Simon Wiesenthal Center has spearheaded a campaign to have suicide bombings declared a ‘Crime AgainstHumanity.’ The goal of the campaign is to create a legal tool for victims to go after sponsors and those who inspire this deadly culture of mass murder worldwide. To this end, Centerofficials have brought the initiative to European Union head Javier Solana; His Holiness, the late Pope John Paul II; Turkish Foreign Minister Abdallah Gul; former Canadian Prime Minister PaulMartin and diplomats from 20 other countries.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 memberfamilies in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS and the Council of Europe.

For more information, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310-553-9036.