LA Rabbis From Across Denominational Spectrum Urge Congressional Action On Uighurs

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    This photo taken on May 31, 2019 shows the outer wall of a complex which includes what is believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, on the outskirts of Hotan, in China's northwestern Xinjiang region. - As many as one million ethnic Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are believed to be held in a network of internment camps in Xinjiang, but China has not given any figures and describes the facilities as "vocational education centres" aimed at steering people away from extremism. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY CHINA-XINJIANG-MEDIA-RIGHTS-PRESS,FOCUS BY EVA XIAO (Photo credit should read GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images)

    LOS ANGELES (JTA) – A diverse group of rabbis in Los Angeles has written their congressman to urge him to take action in support of China’s Uighur Muslims.

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    The letter sent last week to Rep. Ted Lieu, a Democrat, represents the spectrum of Jewish belief, joining Orthodox, Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative rabbis. Sixteen rabbis and a cantor signed the letter to Lieu, whose district covering much of western Los Angeles County has a substantial Jewish population.

    Jewish activists have recently taken a higher profile, particularly in Britain, in advocating on behalf of the Uighurs, who for the last four years have faced increased repression in China, including being forced into camps.

    The rabbis ask Lieu to co-sponsor existing legislation that would ban entry into the United States of goods manufactured by Uighurs kept in detention camps.

    “Your support for this legislation is absolutely crucial to ensure that our fight to prevent further atrocities against this long-persecuted group will be successful,” said the letter, which was initiated by Rabbi Pini Dunner of the Young Israel of North Beverly Hills Synagogue.

    It also urges Lieu to work with Jewish World Watch, an Encino, California-based group that campaigns against genocide and recently launched a campaign on behalf of the Uighurs.


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    2 Comments
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    Shmuel
    Shmuel
    3 years ago

    No real rabbi is involved with this. But I am not surprised that some “modern” fake orthodox are.

    Huh?
    Huh?
    3 years ago

    What does Reb Dunner have to do with this? Is this part of his project of reviving Yabloner Chasidus? Is he is the secretary of state of the Yabloner Rebbe?