Mo., Nov. 6th 2023
The two Jewish representatives on the board of the Interreligious Association Switzerland (IRAS) have left the national network in protest. They are demanding that IRAS President Rifa’at Lenzin resign as President or as a member of the Swiss-Palestinian Society (GSP).
Jonathan Kreutner, Secretary General of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG), confirmed a corresponding report in the “NZZ am Sonntag” newspaper on Sunday at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency. Since the major attack by the Islamist Hamas in Gaza around a month ago, the position of the GSP has become even more radicalized.
“It is imperative for the Jewish community in Switzerland to distance itself unequivocally from this orgy of violence and from the perpetrators. By refusing to withdraw her membership of the GSP, Ms Lenzin is also legitimizing the position and statements of the GSP in recent weeks,” said Kreutner. This represents a fundamental breach of trust towards the Jewish community in Switzerland.
The resignation of the two Jewish representatives from the board was initially a protest that would “hopefully” lead to the IRAS president taking action. If not, the five Jewish member organizations would question their IRAS membership.
“We are still waiting to see what happens with the Lenzin personnel issue and for the club to take a clear position,” explained Kreutner. He is not yet giving up hope of a solution. IRAS as an important platform for dialog must be maintained at all costs.
The IRAS Board of Directors met on Sunday without Jewish representatives. After the board meeting, IRAS announced that it was appalled by the events in Israel-Palestine since October 7. IRAS condemns “any hostility towards Jews and Muslims”. It extends its sympathy to all victims of the violence and their families
The war in the Middle East is also putting a strain on Switzerland’s own interfaith work. But it is precisely in such situations that platforms are needed that offer space for an honest and respectful dialog. This is precisely what IRAS is trying to do now.
The Board of Directors has instructed the IRAS committee to outline possible solutions. It will initiate the necessary steps immediately and do everything in its power to continue the trusting cooperation, the press release continues.
The Swiss Protestant Reformed Church (EKS), which is also a member of the IRAS, expressed its understanding for the SIG’s reaction on Sunday. “We understand that the SIG no longer has confidence in the IRAS for cooperation at present and we very much regret this,” the EKS said at the request of Keystone-SDA. The terrorist act by Hamas and its consequences divided societies, including in Switzerland.
Wherever it is involved in interreligious dialog, the EHL is committed to ensuring that the terrorist act by Hamas and the consequences in the Middle East do not destroy the trust that has been built up, but that this can be used to tackle the issues and problems raised in greater depth. “We want to continue to work with all religious partners to ensure that religions are not instrumentalized, infiltrated, radicalized and incited against each other,” wrote the EKS.
IRAS was founded 31 years ago as an association. Its members are around 80 religious communities and organizations that are committed to interreligious dialogue – including from the Alevi, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities.
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