SWC Grateful to Pope Francis For Calls to Immediately Release Hostages Held by Hamas

October 11, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is extending its gratitude to Pope Francis for calling for the immediate release of the Israelis and foreign nationals held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Catholic News Service reported on Wednesday. He also affirmed Israel’s right to defend its citizens against terrorism.

Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director issued the following statement:

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center is grateful that His Holiness Pope Francis has added his powerful moral voice to the global demands for the immediate release of all captives taken to Gaza from  Israel by Hamas during their mass murdering invasion of Southern Israel last Saturday.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).