New York, NY, November 16, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was deeply disappointed that in the wake of the terrorist attacks in France, a number of governors have announced that their states will refuse relocation of Syrian refugees. ADL urged other governors to keep their doors open during this humanitarian crisis.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:
This country must not give into fear or bias by turning its back on our nation’s fundamental commitment to refugee protection and human rights. Now is precisely the time to stand up for our core values, including that we are a proud nation of immigrants. To do otherwise signals to the terrorists that they are winning the battle against democracy and freedom.
The current refugee crisis in Europe is the worst since World War II. The Jewish community is particularly affected by the images of men, women and children forced to flee their homes only to find they are unwanted anyplace else. Many of these refugees are fleeing the same terrorists who perpetrated the horrendous attacks on Paris.
We therefore urge the governors who have announced their closed door policies to look at the current multi-layered security screening already in place before reaching for new restrictions to ensure that additional measures will actually be effective.
In response to the growing humanitarian crisis resulting from Syria’s civil war in 2013, ADL joined with a number of other Jewish organizations to form the Jewish Coalition for Syrian Refugees in Jordan.
Through legislative advocacy, litigation and public awareness campaigns, the League has promoted fair and humane immigration policies since its founding in 1913.