Wiesenthal Center Denounces Palin “Blood Libel” Remark as “Over the Top”

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today denounced Sarah Palin’s use of the term “blood libel” to attack the media’s response to the horrific shootings at Tucson this past weekend. To Jews worldwide,“Blood Libel” refers to the ancient canard used by Christian persecutors to accuse of Jews kidnapping and murdering Christian children to use their blood to bake Passover matza and for otherrituals.

“It is simply inappropriate to compare current American politics with term that was used by Christians to persecute Jews,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Wiesenthal Center. “Shehas every right to criticize journalists without going over the top,” he concluded.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agenciesincluding the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).

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