Jewish Communities Respond to Attacks on Freedom, Democracy, and the Rule of Law

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs released the following statement today to express outrage at the act of war perpetrated by terrorists against innocent Americans in New York City and Washington, DC. 

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center complex, the Pentagon, and the plane crash in Western Pennsylvania are unspeakable tragedies and are attacks on America, the American people, and American values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that are grieving and with those who lost their lives. We send our heartfelt wishes for the speedy recovery of those who are injured and wish for continuing successes in the daring rescue efforts that are underway. 

We have enormous pride in and appreciation for the heroic work of the police, firefighters and other law enforcement, medical and relief operations that continue to work around the clock. 

We urge all of our members and member agencies to contribute to the relief effort through the donation of blood and by making financial contributions to rescue and relief efforts.  

We must not allow the terrorists to succeed by intimidating us or interrupting our lives.  

We support the leadership of the President and the efforts of the federal and local law enforcement and intelligence operations to identify and pursue those who perpetrated these heinous acts. 

We call on all of our allies to isolate and punish those nations that support or condone terrorism and those that harbor individuals involved with these attacks. 

The world must stand with the United States in a sustained operation to root out the sponsors and infrastructure of international terrorism. 

While it is not fully known who planned and carried out these acts, under no circumstances should Americans accuse or tolerate the harassment of an entire religious or ethnic group because of the actions of a small group of extremists. 

We support the efforts of our 123 local communities and 13 national Jewish agencies who are all working to express their solidarity with the victims and outrage at the attackers. 

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JCPA is the public affairs arm of the organized Jewish community that serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 123 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.