CHIEF RABBI PROPOSES PRESIDENT BUSH CONVENE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001115 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF IS ISRAELI SOCIETY SUBJECT: CHIEF RABBI PROPOSES PRESIDENT BUSH CONVENE RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO PROMOTE PEACE REF: TEL AVIV 427 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger proposed to the Ambassador March 16 that President Bush convene a forum of world religious leaders to promote peace and establish principles of mutual respect and tolerance among religions. He also called for the creation of a standing body of religious leaders that could be utilized to mediate conflicts. Metzger highlighted the ongoing contact he has made with other religious leaders, including his attendance at inter-religious conferences and meetings with the Vatican on this subject. He asked the Ambassador to convey his proposal to the President, as well as a letter signed by current and former chief rabbis in Israel calling for the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard. He noted that he and his Sephardic counterpart, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, will be in Washington April 26-27 to attend the International Call to Prayer. The Ambassador said he would convey Metzger's proposal and the letter to Washington. Metzger offered no ideas on addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. End summary. -------------- Rabbi Proposes Key Religious Leaders Meet -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger, accompanied by Director-General of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Oded Wiener, began the meeting by highlighting his office's ongoing involvement in inter-religious activities, including Metzger's attendance over a year ago at a meeting in Kazakhstan with religious leaders, including from Iran. Wiener added that the Office of the Chief Rabbinate holds regular meetings with Vatican representatives on these issues. Metzger noted that he would be attending the Second World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace in Seville, Spain, March 19-22, organized by "Hommes de Parole Foundation," a Paris-based humanitarian and conflict resolution organization, to which some 70 imams and 70 rabbis were invited. ¶3. (SBU) Metzger said that such conferences are generally positive, but he stressed that a conference of select world religious leaders convened by President Bush would wield more influence and would "show the world that the majority of Muslims are not like bin Laden." Metzger underlined the importance that such a gathering be under the auspices of President Bush, who, he asserted, has the influence to produce results. Metzger suggested that the meeting be held in the U.S. and last perhaps two days, during which time the religious leaders could sign a simple agreement laying out mutual principles of respect and tolerance. Metzger stressed the importance that Muslim leaders have contact with other religious leaders and then return to their communities to preach tolerance and moderation. The Ambassador said he would convey Metzger's message and agreed that competing elements are trying to influence the world's Muslims, including extremist elements such as al Qaeda. He noted that the President has sponsored inter-religious events, including prayer breakfasts and Iftar dinners. In response to the Ambassador's query, Metzger did not provide a clear proposal on how the President might decide which religious leaders to invite. ¶4. (SBU) As a separate but related idea, Metzger proposed that a standing body, which he referred to as a "UN of religious leaders" be formed, composed of religious leaders from throughout the world who could be utilized as needed to help mediate world conflicts. Metzger stressed that both initiatives would focus on providing moderate models of behavior for the world's Muslims. The Ambassador noted that the idea of a world wide religious body is similar to the Organization of Islamic Conference or the Congress of Cardinals, but is ecumenical in nature. The novelty in the Rabbi's proposal was that the new body would be an ecumenical one to promote understanding and good relations among religions. -------------- Pollard -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Metzger provided the Ambassador with a January 24, 2005 letter signed by current and former chief rabbis in Israel calling for the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard and asked that the Ambassador convey the letter to the White House. Metzger said that the letter had never been transmitted and still lacked the signature of one of the former chief rabbis, which he intended to obtain before transmitting it officially. Metzger also noted that he and his Sephardic counterpart, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, will be in Washington April 26-27 to attend the International Call to Prayer and that they would also welcome the opportunity to meet with the President both to discuss their proposal for a forum of religious leaders and to transmit the letter on Pollard in person. The Ambassador said he would convey Metzger's proposal and a copy of the letter to Washington. (Note: Post emailed the letter separately to the NSC. End note.) ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES