Itongadol/AJN.- Topping the list, unsurprisingly, are US-Iranian nuclear negotiations and the rise of European anti-Semitism; list omits key findings of Pew report.
The elevation of Pope Francis, US-Iranian nuclear negotiations and Obama’s two-state push are all among the most pressing issues facing world Jewry in 2013, according to a ‘top 10’ list published by the Anti-Defamation League on Thursday.
The top issues affecting Jews this year, the ADL – an anti-Semitism watchdog and civil rights organization – believes, are the US-Iranian nuclear negotiations, Obama’s visit to Israel and call for a twostate solution, advances for gay marriage in the United States, the rise of the far Right in Europe and a general rise in anti-Semitism globally, the choice of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio to lead the Catholic Church, the Syrian civil war, anti-Semitism online, renewed American efforts to broker a Middle East peace deal, campus anti-Israel activity and a decline in US anti-Semitism.
Regarding Iran, whose nuclear deal is widely seen as a threat to Israel, ADL national director Abe Foxman said it is an “open question if Iran is truly serious about conceding its nuclear weapons program and arriving at a comprehensive final agreement.”
The ADL cited the Obama administration’s involvement in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the president’s push for a two-state solution during his 2013 visit as significant for the Jewish people, as well as citing the possible negative ramifications of the Syrian civil war and its resultant refugee crisis for Israeli security.
The ADL has been highly outspoken on the issue of gay rights and indicated in a release accompanying the new list that it believes that the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is highly significant for the Jewish community.