U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Credit: No. 10 Downing Street.
International and U.S. leaders and officials released statements on Friday ahead of Yom Kippur, the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar.
“Sending our very best wishes to British Jews and Jewish communities around the world observing Yom Kippur,” stated the office of Keir Starmer, the United Kingdom prime minister. “Gmar chatimah tovah.” (The latter expression refers to Jews being sealed for a positive fate in the proverbial “Book of Life.”)
“Tonight, Jewish communities will come together to mark the beginning of Yom Kippur. More than a year after Oct. 7, and in the face of emboldened antisemitism at home, I know this time is a difficult time,” said Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister. “As you come together during this painful period for the Jewish people, I hope you feel hope and community. Gmar chatimah tovah.”
Pierre Poilievre, the Canadian opposition leader, wrote that “as the sun goes down tonight, Jews will gather to mark Judaism’s holiest day of the year—Yom Kippur—a reminder of God’s eternal love and His timeless promises of mercy and justice to His people.”
“As the Jewish community faces a resurgence of antisemitism, we commit ourselves to making Canada a safer country where everyone can live and worship in peace and security,” he said. “Gmar chatimah tovah.”
The United Nations released a Yom Kippur statement—“We wish all those observing it a blessed and peaceful Yom Kippur”—three hours after JNS reported that the global body releases statements recognizing holidays of other faiths, but not Jewish ones.
U.S. President Joe Biden also shared a Yom Kippur message, and Vice President Kamala Harris held a campaign High Holidays call pitching Jewish voters.
“The blessing of Yom Kippur is that it is not just a day of reflection, repentance and reverence—but a day of transformation, forgiveness and hope,” Biden stated. “On behalf of my family and my entire administration, we wish you a meaningful and easy fast. Gmar chatimah tovah.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote: “We are wishing everyone observing Yom Kippur across the world a blessed and meaningful fast. Gmar chatimah tovah.”
Pope Francis, who reiterated his call for a ceasefire to the fighting in the Middle East on Friday, had not issued a Yom Kippur statement at press time.
Among the U.S. lawmakers who released Yom Kippur statements were Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) and John Rutherford (R-Fla.).
Source: JNS
