MEDIA ALERT: Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies Troubled by United Church Approval of anti-Israel Boycott Proposal

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 15, 2012) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies is troubled to learn the anti- Israel boycott proposed by the United Church of Canada has passed with what we understand is overwhelming support at the church's 41^st General Assembly in Ottawa.

"We are beyond doubt saddened by this distressing decision and fear a relationship of trust and friendship is irreparably broken," said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. "I don't know if church members truly understand how utterly offensive and imbalanced this proposal is, or whether a latent antisemitism within the church is slowly coming back to life. What is certain is that the era of good will engendered by the "Bearing Faithful Witness" document is over, and that the supporters of antisemitic hatred have found a new friend."

FSWC will provide further comment as more information on the anti-Israel vote at the United Church becomes available.