Peduto to join anti-Semitism summit with other mayors

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is scheduled to join municipal and local leaders from around the world taking part in Tuesday’s 2021 Mayors Summit Against Anti-Semitism.

The summit is designed to bring the world’s mayors together to eradicate hatred and prejudice.

“Mayor Peduto is honored to be opening the summit with Mayor (Uwe) Becker of Frankfurt, and to address the alarming rise in anti-Semitism facing cities worldwide,” said Tim McNulty, Peduto’s director of communications.

On Oct. 27, 2018, Pittsburgh was the site of the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in U.S. history when a gunman targeting Jews worshipping on Sabbath morning killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue.

“The participation of Pittsburgh’s Mayor Bill Peduto in this summit is significant and important,” said Israel Nitzan, acting consul general of Israel in New York. “We have all witnessed his tremendous leadership and efforts in fighting anti-Semitism. The state of Israel stood by and continues to stand by the Tree of Life community to assist the victims, families, and entire Jewish community in Pittsburgh.”

Anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise with nearly 1 in 3 Jews avoiding public displays that could identify them as Jewish, according to the American Jewish Committee.

Nitzan called anti-Semitism and bigotry pandemics and said there is a need for solidarity.

“The State of Israel has a historic and moral responsibility to engage with local and diverse community leaders on these crucial matters,” said Nitzan. “Those in leadership positions must take action to stop the ugly Jew hatred which has spiraled out of control.”

Noy Assraf, director of media outreach at the Consulate General of Israel in New York, said too often policy solutions to anti-Semitism are enacted at the national and international level.

“In reality, anti-Semitism is usually a local problem that must be solved through mayoral initiatives in the areas of education, law enforcement and community cohesion,” said Assraf. “Municipal leaders have the ability to make a lasting impact in the fight against anti-Semitism.”

Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, will also be a featured speaker at the event.

Other speakers include the mayors of Toronto, Athens, Brussels and Palermo.