NEW YORK – Following antisemitic remarks by Punam Rane, a Dublin city official, claiming that the “entire U.S. economy today is ruled by the Jews, by Israel,” World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said:
“I unequivocally condemn the vile use of antisemitic rhetoric by Dublin official Punam Rae. Although she subsequently apologized, her blatant scapegoating of Jews warrants a strong response by Fine Gael, her political party. Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, as the leader of his country and his party, must make clear that there is no place for antisemitism in Ireland. When President Biden meets with him, I hope that he raises the urgent crisis of antisemitism facing Jews worldwide, including for Irish Jews.”
Maurice Cohen, chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, a WJC-affiliated organization, added:
“The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland is appalled by the remarks of the Fine
Gael Dublin City Councillor at last night's Council meeting, where she stated that ‘the U.S. economy is ruled by the Jews, by Israel.’
“Her subsequent apology is not accepted, and Fine Gael should consider whether she ought to be removed from the party. The Jewish Community is also appalled by the fact that these remarks coincided with a remembrance ceremony held in Terenure Synagogue for the 1,200 slaughtered on the 7th October 2023.
“Comments like this have led to Ireland being labeled as the most antisemitic country in Europe.”
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