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Jewish world mourns George H.W. Bush
December 2, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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The World Jewish Congress and Israel’s leadership have extended condolences to the Bush family following the death of former US president George H.W. Bush.
George H.W. Bush
The World Jewish Congress and its more than 100 affiliated Jewish communities across the globe mourn the passing of former US President George H.W. Bush, and extend the condolences of the international Jewish community to both the Bush family and the American people.
“President George H.W. Bush was a genuine American hero and a true friend of the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” said WJC President Ronald S. Lauder. “I got to know then Vice President Bush well when I served in the Reagan Administration, and we had many conversations in which he expressed unambiguous sympathy and support for a broad range of Jewish causes.”
“The Jewish people will never forget the instrumental role played by the late President in making possible the dramatic airlift to freedom of Ethiopian Jewry, and his unwavering assistance in enabling Soviet Jews to emigrate,” Ambassador Lauder said.
“President Bush was also responsible for revoking the scurrilous United Nations resolution that equated Zionism with racism,” Lauder added. “Despite occasional disagreements, he was a firm ally of the State of Israel and worked tirelessly to achieve an end to the Israeli-Arab conflict. As an American, I also stand in awe of his leadership and determination during the first Gulf War that saw the effective end of Saddam Hussein’s threats against the Jewish state. He embodied the values of decency and patriotism at their finest.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “On behalf of the people of Israel I send heartfelt condolences to the Bush family and the American people on the passing of a great American patriot, President George H.W. Bush.
His wise leadership at the end of the Cold War helped steer the world to a peaceful transition and the spread of democracy The people of Israel will always remember his commitment to Israel’s security, his important contribution to the liberation of Soviet Jewry, and his efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East at the Madrid Conference.”
President Reuven Rivlin added: “We have lost an American hero, George HW Bush who fought in the killing fields of the Second World War, who knew to distinguish between good and evil and how to build strong regional coalitions against cruel tyrants.
He led his country with skill and wisdom at the end of the Cold War and under his leadership our strategic relationship evolved into the strongest of alliances. The Jewish people will always remember his help in bringing the Jews of Ethiopia to Israel and his determination to ensure the Arab world recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security.Personally and on behalf of the people of Israel, my deepest condolences to President George W Bush, a true friend of Israel, to Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Doro and their families. May his memory be for a blessing.”
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