Britains Chief Rabbi calls for Covenant of Europe

Strasbourg - 19-Nov-08

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks © European Parliament - Audiovisual Unit

CER Associate President and Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth, Sir Jonathan Sacks, called for a covenant of Europe at a keynote speech to the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Chief Rabbi Sacks said that dialogue lies at the roots of European civilization, but is not enough on its own. He praised the dialogue between Christianity and Judaism, but said dialogue may not be enough since "dialogue can't always keep us together if other forces drive us apart."

In citing the need for "covenants," the chief rabbi evoked biblical covenants such as the one by which the 12 tribes of Israel agreed to form one nation. He said in a covenant, "two parties come together to achieve what they can't achieve alone."

Later he said, "We need to focus not just on rights but also on responsibilities" since "rights without responsibilities are the sub-prime mortgages of the modern world." By contrast, "covenants lead us to think about reciprocity."

As the EU struggles how best to assert its collective identity, Chief Rabbi Sacks contended that "Europe needs a new covenant and the time to begin is now," in the midst of the economic crisis.

He also told the Parliament that when he and other British religious leaders visited Auschwitz they had felt keenly "what happens when people lose mutual respect."

Chief Rabbi Sacks is the first rabbi to address a session of the European parliament and was accompanied by CER International Relations Director Mr Philip Carmel. His speech received an unprecedented standing ovation as well as being repeatedly interrupted by sustained applause from across the parliamentary chamber.

In a day of meetings in Strasbourg, the Chief Rabbi also held individual private meetings with the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering as well as with the heads of the leading parliamentary groupings. Mr Poettering also hosted a lunch for the Chief Rabbi and senior EU dignitaries. The day concluded with a meeting with the members of the Home Affairs and Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament. Chief Rabbi Sacks address comes within the context of the EU Year of Inter-Cultural Dialogue.