From Stephen Regal.
I AM writing to you in my capacity as president of the Jersey Jewish Congregation and particularly in respect of the article in the JEP headed ‘Senator sparks Nazi e-mail row’.

Commentary on the issues underlying the report are not within my remit. However, I feel that it is necessary to write to you to express both my and my community’s distress at the reported comment made by Senator Syvret.

I find it difficult to consider that any individual as apparently erudite and educated as Senator Syvret could have innocently used such emotive phraseology in comparing the action of any Jew to that of a Nazi.

A more offensive or odious comment would be difficult to find. Irrespective of the context, the term Nazi is abhorrent to any Jew.

Unfortunately, memories of the Holocaust are still fresh in every Jewish mind and such intemperate comments from our democratically elected representatives can only cause tension and uncertainty in our minds.

Regrettably, anti-Semitism is on the increase around the world and negative comparisons tend to aid stereotypical visions that individuals who wish to interpret remarks in other than the context they have been made.

My plea, therefore, to all is please consider our words on all sections of the community. This should be particularly emphasised when committing oneself to print.
Armon,
Rue de La Croix,
St Ouen.