World Jewish News

Leader of the Jewish community of Russia speaks for peaceful settlement of the Iraqi problem.

The Chairman of the Congress of the religious communities and unions Rabbi Zinoviy Kogan, in an interview to "Intrefax" has pointed out that Iraq is a part of the Holy Land, where the events of the sacred history took place. By the legend, the city of Ur situated on the banks of the Euphrates was the location of the Heaven Garden; this is the very place Abraham, the father of all people, was born.
Zinoviy Kogan has stressed that "in fact, any land where a child is born and a flower grows is holy". "We all are children of the Earth. We all are God's children, and he loves us equally the same, no matter whether we are Iraqis, or New Yorkers, or Muscovites", said the Rabbi.
In no way sympathizing with the Iraqi leader, the Rabbi rules out the military solution as the means of getting even with Saddam Hussein. Thereupon, the head of the Congress has reminded of a line from the Bible: do not destroy the nest if you want to take the eggs. "If Hussein is a criminal, to get rid of him we should not necessarily plough the Iraqi land with hundreds of bombs", explained Zinoviy Kogan.
Admitting that it will be very difficult to resolve the situation around Iraq in a peaceful manner, Zinoviy Kogan has pointed out that "this is what civilian presidents are elected for."
In his turn, the Chief Rabbi of Russia Adolph Shaevich, in an interview to "Interfax", has reminded that "poor peace is always better than good war, and as long as there is at least some possibility of negotiation, it should be taken advantage of ".
The Chief Rabbi (FJOR) Berl Lazar shared this opinion and said, "in any conflict, especially international, using force should be the ultimate option, after all others are exhausted."
"Any war means disaster", he said in an interview to "Interfax". "Even if the outcome of the military operation is successful, innocent people caught in the middle of the action do suffer. We should not forget about them".

Источник: Sem40.ru