JCPA Condemns the Horrific Shootings of Muslim Worshipers in New Zealand

New York, NY – The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) condemns the devastating and horrific shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 49 Muslim worshipers. Our hearts go out to the families of those murdered, to those injured, and to all of our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community worldwide. We will continue to fight against hate, Islamophobia, and growing white supremacy, racism, and extremism both at home and abroad.

“This is a tragedy not just for Muslims but for all people and all communities of faith. A house of worship must be a sacred space. We must put in place a much stronger set of policies to bring a halt to the lethal combination of gun violence and white supremacy,” stated Cheryl Fishbein, Chair of JCPA.

“Just as Muslim leaders stood with us in the wake of the Pittsburgh shootings, we stand with our Muslim friends,” said David Bernstein, JCPA’s President and CEO.

JCPA urges everyone, especially those in media, to refrain from sharing the shooter’s manifesto and video footage of the shooting, and we call on social media platforms to immediately take them down. We must ensure that social media is not used to further hateful activities, including incitement, calls to violence, intimidation, threats, or defamation targeting people based on their race, religion, or gender.

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The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the network hub of the Jewish community relations field, advocates for a just and pluralistic America, global human rights, and Israel’s quest for peace and security.