Orthodox Group Endorses Hate Crimes Bill
By James D. Besser/Washington
Conservative Christian groups continue to fight a new hate crimes measure pending before Congress, but this week the rabbinic leadership of Agudath Israel of America voted to endorse the House-passed version of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007.
The measure, supported by a long list of Jewish organizations, would make it easier for federal authorities to help investigate and prosecute hate violence cases and expand the range of groups covered by previous statutes to include those victimized because of their disability, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Some Christian groups argue that the measure could put pastors who preach against homosexuality in legal jeopardy; the Anti-Defamation League and other Jewish groups say that the measure applies only to violence.
Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudah’s Washington director, said that “Orthodox Jews do not condone willful acts of bodily injury, to gay people or anybody else. That’s what this bill is all about.”
JPost.com