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Confronting Religious Persecution at the IRF Summit

Feb. 10Stories That Demand Action:

Last week I spoke on a panel at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C.—a global gathering that brings together advocates, policymakers, and legal experts from around the world who are on the front lines of defending religious freedom. The Summit provides a rare forum to share firsthand experiences, expose ongoing...More

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Save Christians From Murder in Congo

Save Christians From Murder in...

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has once again become the site of unspeakable violence , with Christian communities being targeted by terrorists and militant forces. On February 15, over 70 Christians – primarily women, children, and the elderly – were added to the list of victims when they were abducted...More

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Free the Israeli Hostages from Hamas

On January 25–26, ACLJ’s international affiliate, the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ), led a new mission in support of the Israeli families of Hamas hostages. With a delegation of survivors of October 7 and relatives of Hamas hostages, the ECLJ organized a series of high-level meetings in Madrid, Spain. This mission is all the more necessary since part of the current Spanish government, which includes ministers from the extreme Left, supports Hamas.

The delegation was able to give evidence of the Hamas atrocities to Spain’s political leaders and, more widely, in the Spanish press. Testimonies of rape and bestial murders were particularly horrifying. A young girl who survived the attack at the festival was only saved by the fact that she lost consciousness after several bodies fell on top of her. Her fiancé was kidnapped, while two of her relatives were killed alongside her.

The delegation met at length with Francina Armengol, Socialist President of the Spanish Parliament and third person in the State; with Alberto Núez Feijóo, President of the main opposition party, the Partido Popular; with a group of Partido Popular Members of Parliament (MP) led by Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo; with the conservative VOX parliamentary group; and with Hana Jalloul, Socialist MP of Lebanese origin, and close advisor to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The delegation was also invited to take part in an important event at the Spanish Senate on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The delegation was also asked to meet with members of civil society, including leaders of associations for victims of terrorism, leaders of the local Jewish community, and judges and lawyers specializing in international humanitarian law and the International Criminal Court.

The delegation received a remarkable welcome, including from Socialist MPs. Several MPs were moved to tears by these testimonies and promised to act, particularly regarding Qatar. Every year, Qatar pays $350 million to Hamas and shelters and protects its leaders. At the same time, Qatar is investing massively in Europe to acquire cultural and political influence. It not only buys soccer clubs but also media outlets and even politicians, as revealed by Qatargate. Spain is particularly exposed to Qatar’s entryism. We agreed that Europe should denounce Qatar’s complicity and duplicity with Hamas.

On several occasions, political figures have referred to the threat of Islamist terrorism in Europe, while relatives of hostages have said: “Today it’s us, tomorrow it’ll be you.”

Much of the Spanish press relayed these testimonies.

We have some hope that the hostages will be released soon, as high representatives of Qatar, the U.S., Egypt, and Israel will meet in Paris.

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Signatures

CeCe Heil  //

Jan 24, 2025

We are pleased that two of the hostages who were released on the eve of President Trump’s inauguration are ACLJ clients. It’s a tremendous victory for them and their families after more than 15 months in Hamas...

Jordan Sekulow  //

Sep 03, 2024

No one can deny what was caught on camera with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at the Minnesota State Fair. After a reporter asked about the deaths of the six Israeli hostages in Gaza (including a U.S. citizen),

Jordan Sekulow  //

Nov 27, 2023

Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a deal to extend the cease-fire as Hamas frees hostages from Hamas-controlled Gaza. Four of the hostages who have been released so far – a mother and three children –