Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TELAVIV1115
2006-03-21 08:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

CHIEF RABBI PROPOSES PRESIDENT BUSH CONVENE

Tags:  PGOV PREL KIRF IS ISRAELI SOCIETY 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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.)

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