Rabbi Marvin Hier

Israel-Palestinian peace talks: Palestinians’ fantasy world

Published on February 13, 2013

Without a doubt, at the moment, the Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank are riding high, flexing their muscles and feeling very confident about what they view as an impressive string of recent victories. The leaders of Hamas, for their part, have excited the whole Arab world by taking on the Israelis and successfully firing hundreds of rockets into the heartland of Israel, reaching her main population centers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to the great delight of the Arab street.

What is the Israeli election really telling the Palestinians?

Published on January 29, 2013

Without a doubt, at the moment, the Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank are riding high, flexing their muscles, and feeling very confident about what they view as an impressive string of recent victories.

Mr. President: The problem is not Holocaust denial

Published on September 27, 2012

As the head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, I should be the last person to criticize the president of the United States for mentioning Holocaust denial in an important speech at the United Nations General Assembly a day before the most infamous Holocaust denier speaks from that same rostrum. Nonetheless, I think the president missed the point entirely when he said: “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. But to be credible, those who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see in the images we see of Jesus Christ that are desecrated, or churches that are destroyed, or the Holocaust that is denied.”

Why the United Nations should walk out on Ahmadinejad

Published on September 25, 2012

As the head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, I should be the last person to criticize the President of the United States for mentioning Holocaust denial in an important speech at the United Nation’s General Assembly a day before the most infamous Holocaust denier speaks from that same rostrum. Nonetheless, I think the President missed the point entirely when he said, “the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. But to be credible, those who condemn that slander, must also condemn the hate we see in the images we see of Jesus Christ that are desecrated, or churches that are destroyed, or the Holocaust that is denied.”

Responding to the top 10 anti-Israel lies

Published on April 29, 2010

It’s no secret to anyone that relations between the United States and Israel reflect a new reality and are not what they once were. The last few months have seen a worldwide frenzy of intimidation and threats directed against Israel that has backed its supporters into a corner. Very few have raised their voices in response.

Mamilla Cemetery Chutzpah and the Museum of Tolerance

Published on February 19, 2010

Last week, the Jerusalem Post ran a front page story on the decision of the Supreme Muslim Council, in 1945, to turn the Mamilla Cemetery into a business center. The reason the Post gave it such prominence is because it belies the sheer hypocrisy of Palestinian groups and a few of their Israeli supporters and NGOs who, for four years, have criticized the Simon Wiesenthal Center for building a Museum of Tolerance on what was once the City’s municipal car park.

Why the Jerusalem Site Is Right

Published on February 11, 2009

On Oct. 29, 2008, the Israeli Supreme Court rendered a unanimous decision permitting the Simon Wiesenthal Center to resume construction on its Museum of Tolerance project on the site of a municipal parking lot in the heart of western Jerusalem.

‘Munich’: The Missing Conversation

Published on December 22, 2005

For me, the most telling moment in Steven Spielberg's "Munich" was the final scene, when the young, distraught Mossad team leader, Avner, takes a walk along the East River with his Israeli case officer, Ephraim, the man who supervised his mission.

John Paul II and the Jews

Published on April 7, 2005

With the passing of Pope John Paul II, we have lost the strongest advocate for reconciliation with the Jewish people in the history of the Vatican. This pope was determined to embark on a new course and leave that shameful period behind. From the very beginning of his papacy, when he first visited his native Poland, there were hints that this pope was going to break with tradition and not follow the centuries-old script, with respect to the Jews.

He Was No Saint

Published on May 20, 1999

Below is an excerpt of remarks from Rabbi Marvin Hier's speech, entitled "The State of the Jews".

‘Hatred Is a ‘Process’

Published on April 29, 1999

The tragedy that has engulfed Littleton, Colorado, is in fact a wakeup call for America -- too many of our schools have become killing fields.

His ‘Friend Was Peace’

Published on February 11, 1999

It was my privilege to know His Majesty King Hussein in connection with our work, but more so, to know him personally as a human being.

Lessons from the Mahane Yehuda Tragedy

Published on July 31, 1997

Tragically, the horrible terrorist attack against civilians at the Mahane Yehuda marketplace in Jerusalem leaves all of us numb and, at the same time, reminds us that the memories of Jewish history live on.