American Jewish World Service Condemns U.S. Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Anti-Muslim Travel Ban

Leading Jewish human rights organization decries Trump’s travel ban, a xenophobic, anti-Muslim policy that violates American principles, Jewish values and human rights

NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish organization working to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world, strongly condemns the decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold the Trump administration’s “travel ban,” which blocks entry to the United States of individuals from five Muslim-majority countries and two others. Over 33 years, AJWS has worked with Muslim partners worldwide to pursue goals we share in common—advancing human rights and ending poverty.

Statement of Robert Bank, President and CEO of AJWS:

“As a Jewish organization informed by the lessons of Jewish history and anchored by the value of respect for all people, we condemn the decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold the Trump administration’s ‘travel ban.’ This policy amounts to nothing less than a xenophobic ‘Muslim ban’—the intent of which has been made clear by President Trump through multiple anti-Muslim statements over several years. This tragic decision by the court’s conservative majority violates the best traditions of the United States as well as international human rights law and our deepest Jewish values,” said Robert Bank, President and CEO of AJWS. “We call on this or a future United States Congress to pass legislation that would end this ban and remove this terrible stain on the reputation of the United States.”

“We call on all Americans from every community to join us in speaking out against this hateful policy, which sends an official message of intolerance, undermines the United States’ leadership on global human rights, and threatens the lives of thousands of people who desperately and urgently need sanctuary in our country—while doing nothing to protect the United States” said Bank. “Welcoming refugees and immigrants to our shores, regardless of religion or national origin, is central to who we are as Americans and as Jews, and the Trump administration’s bigoted ban is an affront to our core values.

“As a global Jewish organization that works with Muslim communities every day to advance human rights and end poverty, we object in the strongest terms to the thinly-veiled demonization of Muslims by the American administration and the tacit endorsement of such bigotry by the United States Supreme Court. As American Jews, we understand what it means for a community to be demonized by authoritarian powers, and we regret that the Trump administration and the United States Supreme court do not understand this lesson from the darkest chapters of American and world history,” added Bank.

“We stand with our Muslim colleagues and allies in the United States and around the world in principled opposition to this policy until this or a future Congress passes legislation that places this ban into the dust bin of history—where it belongs.”

 

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About American Jewish World Service
American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to pursue justice and fight poverty in the developing world. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations in 19 countries, we respond to the most pressing issues of our time—from disasters, genocide and hunger to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all. Learn more at www.ajws.org.

 

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