[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE RECENT ARSON ATTACKS ON THE ETZ-HAYYIM SYNAGOGUE ON THE ISLAND 
                                OF CRETE

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to strongly condemn the 
recent arson attacks on Jan. 5 and 16 targeting the historic Jewish 
synagogue in the port-city of Hania on the island of Crete.
  The Etz-Hayyim Synagogue holds a library of religious books and 
functions as a museum and memorial in the ancient harbor city of 
Chania. Etz-Hayyim dates back to the Middle Ages and serves as one of 
the last Jewish monuments on the island of Crete, in addition to 
serving as a house of worship.
  I applaud the Greek authorities' quick action and recent arrests of 
the suspected perpetrators of the attacks and urge the individuals 
responsible be swiftly brought to justice. The State Department has 
praised the Greek government for condemning the attacks and taking a 
strong stand against anti-Semitism and racism. I join them in their 
praise and congratulate the Greek government for its swift and decisive 
reaction.
  These are only the most recent in a series of anti-Semitic incidents 
to surface in Greece from Veria to Ioannina and to Volos in the recent 
past. In fact, this type of virulent anti-Semitism continues to rise 
worldwide and must be met with equal defiance and determination to 
defeat those who would perform these despicable acts.
  We must not let this type of anti-Semitism percolate as the world has 
seen the evil that stems from this type of hatred and bigotry. I stand 
firmly with Greece and the Jewish community of Hania, and Jewish 
communities around the world, and implore the international community 
to voice their outrage against this intolerance.
  I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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