The president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald S. Lauder, has criticized recent anti-Israel statements by Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua, the current president of the United Nations General Assembly.

D'Escoto had likened Israel's actions vis-a-vis the Palestinians to "the apartheid of an earlier era" and called on the international community to consider stricter measures against Israel including "boycott, divestment and sanctions" similar to those enacted against South Africa in the 1980s.

The GA president had also added that the failure to establish a Palestinian state made "a mockery of the United Nations and greatly hurts its image and prestige." The Holocaust and other historical crimes against the Jews would not give Israel "the right to abuse others, especially those who historically have such deep and exemplary relations with the Jewish people," according to Miguel d'Escoto.

WJC President Ronald S. Lauder called the accusations against Israel "false and without basis." He added: "Israel has served as an ingathering of many people of all colors and races whose citizens are granted equal rights. Not for the first time, the United Nations is applying different standards for Israel and the Jewish people than it does for other countries. When will we hear the UN unequivocally condemn the rocket attacks against Israeli towns from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip? When will the United Nations speak out against the mockery that the Iranian regime makes of the international community by threatening to wipe another UN member state off the map?"

The creation of a Palestinian state, the WJC president pointed out, favored by a majority of Israeli citizens, could only become a reality once the threats to Israel's security cease.

Ronald S. Lauder emphasized that recent developments in the international organization, such as the one-sided obsession with Israel on the part of the UN Human Rights Council or the looming repeat of Israel bashing and anti-Semitism at the upcoming UN Durban Review Conference in Geneva next year continue to give rise to great concern. The WJC would continue to work towards equitable and fair treatment of Israel in all the UN venues, he said.

The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in over 80 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations.

As Indian forces for a third day continued to root out terrorists responsible for a wave of deadly attacks across Mumbai, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which maintains an office in Mumbai and is in close contact with Indian government and Jewish community officials, issued the following statement:

The outlines of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, are becoming clear. The terrorists targeted India, the U.S. and Britain, and the Jewish people. More than 150 were killed, and more than 300 wounded, either by random attacks into crowds or the murder of hostages.

Among the terrorists' targets was the Chabad House of Mumbai, located at Nariman House, and among the reported dead are Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. AJC extends its profound condolences to the families and associates of the Holtzbergs, and mourns this unspeakable tragedy -- a deadly attack directed against Jews in a pluralistic society that has always welcomed the Jewish people.

We express our grief over all who have been made victims of this terrorist rampage. We are both deeply saddened and utterly appalled by yet another vicious attack apparently by radical Islamist terrorists upon democracies and upon innocent civilians. In addition to grieving for all the civilians who have been killed, we honor the memories of the brave souls of the Indian security forces who have lost their lives fighting the terrorists.

AJC has longstanding relationships with the government and people of India and the Indian-American community, through our office in Mumbai and our network of offices across the United States. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of India and the Indian-American community at this time of tragedy.

At this dark hour, we reaffirm our determination to continue our work to combat hatred and intolerance throughout the world.

"This is India's 9/11," said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris, "and should serve as another wake-up call for the world."

Source: American Jewish Committee

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org).  In addition, he's the new editor for the House Conservatives Fund's weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. 

He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations.  He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country.   Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com.  He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com.   He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri's own website is located at http://jimkouri.us