Rabbi Yeshayah E. Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan, gave a press conference at this time and expressed his gratitude to the administration.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (the OSCE) has over 50 member states, and every year a different country is chosen to lead it. To receive such an honor, various stringent conditions must be met and there must be a majority agreement. With the help of Rabbi Yeshayah Elazar Cohen, who spoke to the U.S. Congress in Washington, Kazakhstan was chosen for this important position in 2010 and it hosted this year’s annual conference. Representatives from many countries were present.
The conference provides a forum for political discussion, making important decisions, and preventing conflicts and crises. Rabbi Cohen, who was present as a guest, addressed a press conference, in which he praised Kazakhstan’s policies of religious freedom and tolerance.
“Kazakhstan is the most appropriate place to hold such a conference,” he said. “This is because there has never been anti-Semitism in Kazakhstan, as here all religions have equal rights and people respect each other. True values of tolerance and respect for human life are taught in this country, and it needs to be a model to all nations, demonstrating that it is possible to live in peace.”
Rabbi Cohen concluded with a special appeal to the leaders of other countries to “follow Kazakhstan’s example in your own countries.”
