EJP | News | Barroso praises Jewish contribution to EU

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Barroso praises Jewish contribution to EU

Updated: 22/Dec/2005 17:32

Rabbi Yirmiyahu Cohen of Paris(L), RCE Chairman Chief Rabbi Gershon Garelik of Milan (C) presenting a Menorah to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (R)

Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert

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European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has praised the “great contribution” of European Jews to the European Union.

Barroso was speaking during a meeting on Wednesday with Jewish representatives on the occasion of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights.

“I know the great contribution that European Jews have always been making to the European Union very well. To the causes of pluralism, of peace and to our values of tolerance, our common goal of a united Europe,” Barroso said. “I thank you for that contribution.”

At the event Baroso was presented with a silver engraved Menorah - the seven branched candelabrum used in the Temple – by the chairman of the Rabbinical Center of Europe, Milan Rabbi Gershon Garelik of Milan.

Warm meeting

During an hour-long meeting with the RCE delegation at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, the president of the EU’s executive body spoke warmly of his appreciation of Jewish values.

The delegation presenting a Menorah to the President of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell Fontelles.

Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert

Barroso stressed that fighting anti-Semitism and intensifying interfaith and intercultural dialogue “are a priority of my Commission.”

Saying that the Menorah symbolises unity and light, Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, a member of the UK’s chief rabbi’s cabinet, wished Barroso “continued success in your sterling work of perpetuating unity and illumination throughout the European Union and beyond.”

Chanukah a tradition at EU Parliament

Later, the delegation also presented a Menorah to the President of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell Fontelles.

Borrell expressed his gratitude to the organisation for enabling Chanukah to become a tradition in the premises of the European Parliament.

During the meeting, chief rabbi of Antwerp David Lieberman expressed gratitude to the president for his staunch stance against anti-Semitism and in defence of Israel with regards to recent verbal attacks and Holocaust denials by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The Chanukah holiday begins this year on the eve of 25 December and culminates on 2 December.

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