WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, has condemned the anti-Islam film. In a statement, Saperstein said he was “saddened and appalled” to learn of the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three members of the US consulate staff in Benghazi. “This act of violence, and the similarly threatening violence at the US embassy in Cairo, must be condemned unequivocally. The losses of life in this manner are an affront to the values of humanity and tolerance that are at the core of Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” the statement said. The rabbi also condemned the video ridiculing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “It (the video)was clearly crafted to provoke, to offend, and to evoke outrage. The denigration of religion and religious figures and the intentional framing of religious texts and tenets in this manner must likewise be condemned,” the statement said. “The video and the views it espouses do not reflect the views of the overwhelming majority of Americans and people of faith. It is, purely and simply, a creation of those on the fringes of American society whether they are Christians or Jews or Muslims. I appeal to the religious leaders and to the media in the Muslim World to make that message clear and help bring an end to the violence” the statement said. Saperstein said: “We must oppose efforts to divide people – in the US, in Egypt, Libya and around the world — along religious lines. Small violent groups of extremists, no matter their religious identity, cannot be allowed to define their religions or their nations. — SG
