"There can be no prospect for peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people so long as such terrorism continues

-Rabbis Yoffie and Saperstein

Contact: UAHC: Emily Grotta, 914-772-7657
RAC: Alexis Rice, 202-387-2800

October 17 (NEW YORK, NY) - Leaders of the North American Reform Movement, Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, released the following statement condemning today's assassination of Rechavam Zeevy, Israel's Tourism Minister.

"We condemn the killing of Minister Zeevy and call upon Yasir Arafat and the Palestinian Authority to bring his killers to justice. We stand in sorrow with the family of Minister Zeevy and the people of Israel at this tragic occurrence."

"Terror must be stopped. We must not let extremists wrest control of events in the region. There can be no prospect for peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people so long as such terrorism continues."

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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaismis the Washington office of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), whose 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) whose membership includes over 1700 Reform rabbis.