The Ambassador of the United States of America to Portugal, Randi Charno Levine, warned this Wednesday about what she sees as a rise in anti-Semitism in Europe as well as in Portugal, defending dialogue between different communities.
“The rise of anti-Semitism in Europe should be a warning sign for everyone, and unfortunately I think it happened very quickly,” Levin said today in Covilha, stressing that “destabilization in the Middle East is a problem for all of us.” “
During a visit to Belmonte and Covilhã, in the Castelo Branco district, the diplomat introduced herself as an “American Jew” who believes that in Portugal there is also hostile behavior towards people of Jewish origin, in some cases “negative discourse”. , hatred.”
Levin went to Belmonte, where the Jewish community is concentrated, and visited the Jewish Museum and the city synagogue, accompanied by the local rabbi, and then to Covilha, where the old Jewish quarter is also located, and wanted to learn about the history of the woolen mills. .
“Following the history of Jews in Portugal is important to me, especially now because of the rise of global anti-Semitism, including in Europe,” Levin said.
The diplomat emphasized that while working in Portugal, she promoted interaction with representatives of different religions, and emphasized that this communication with other elements of society is important.
“I am Jewish, very proud of my origins. “I came here, participated, organized interreligious dialogues at home, invited people from the Indian community, the Muslim community, and I think that we should not be afraid that we are fighting the discourse of hatred,” the diplomat said.
In the Covilhã Hall, where she was received by President Victor Pereira, the ambassador emphasized the “bridge between antiquity and modernity” that she found in the two places she visited, which allowed her to “learn more about history.”
“I’m pleased to see that there are people who are preserving the history of the Jews, the mark they left in Portugal, and honoring that history,” praised Randy Charno Levine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is touring the Middle East at a time when there are fears of an escalating war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and regional conflict.
In his meetings with Israeli officials, Blinken plans to discuss Tel Aviv’s efforts to ensure that the Oct. 7 attacks are not repeated, as well as plans for moving to the next phase of operations in the Gaza Strip and measures that could be taken to better defend. civilians and “allow Palestinians to return to their homes and areas as fighting eases.”
The release of hostages still in the hands of Hamas will be another item on the agenda, as well as how actors in the region can use their influence to prevent the conflict from escalating.
Washington’s position is delicate given that the United States is Israel’s main military partner and rejects the ceasefire that much of the international community, and Arab countries in particular, has fiercely demanded.
But the United States is not opposed to humanitarian pauses like the one in November that allow the release of hostages held by Hamas and allow aid to enter the Palestinian enclave.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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