[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E208-E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONDEMNING THE ATTACK ON THE TIFERET ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE IN CARACAS, 
                               VENEZUELA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
profound concern and indignation regarding the recent attack on the 
Tiferet Israel Sephardic synagogue in Caracas, Venezuela.
  The attack, which occurred just days after International Holocaust 
Remembrance Day, on the Jewish Sabbath, was reminiscent of 
Kristallnacht.
  For five hours, violent anti-Semites profaned and vandalized a 
Sephardic synagogue in capital city Caracas, leaving behind graffiti 
with words of hatred.
  But the violence didn't stop there. Sacred torah scrolls were hurled 
about recklessly and damaged. The synagogue's guard was held at 
gunpoint and was found on the floor of the building by synagogue 
members on Saturday morning.
  Let me be clear. This brazen attack on the Venezuelan Jewish 
community did not occur in a vacuum.
  It was the direct result of the Venezuelan government's leaders, 
officials, media commentators and others, who have fostered an 
atmosphere of intimidation against the Jewish community.
  During the Gaza crisis, anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements were 
made by the Venezuelan President, the foreign minister, interior 
minister, the president of the national assembly, a number of congress 
members, and governors across the country.
  In the most recent example of his blatantly anti-Semitic public 
comments, President Hugo Chavez said ``the Israelis criticize Hitler 
but have done something worse,'' and also asked ``Don't Jews repudiate 
the Holocaust? This is precisely what we're witnessing.''
  Hateful, fear-mongering comments like these were condemned by our own 
Department of State, in a 2008 report where they listed ``drawing 
comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis'' as an 
example of anti-Semitism.
  President Chavez ``condemned'' Friday's attack on Tiferet Israel as 
briefly as possible, making no mention of plans to ensure the safety 
and security of the Jewish community in his country. He did, however, 
take a considerable amount of time to throw mud at his opponents, 
accusing them of staging the synagogue assault. This is unacceptable.
  In November 2008, President Chavez signed a statement along with the 
presidents of Argentina and Brazil condemning religious

[[Page E209]]

intolerance, and ``in particular anti-Semitism and anti-Islamism.''
  In the strongest of terms I urge the government of Venezuela to live 
up to this statement, and end the incessant bullying and harassment of 
the Jews of Venezuela.

                          ____________________