US Jewish leaders Urge Olympic BoycottArticle written by Michal Landoclick here for jpost article

Summary- Jewish leaders are urging Jews to boycott the summer Olympics in Beijing, the day before Holocaust Remembrance Day. They are protesting against China's human rights record and its help given to Iran, Syria and Hamas. One hundred rabbis and Jewish leaders so far have agreed to the appeal, which states that the Chinese are using the Olympics to move attention away form its record. Jewish leaders are "troubled by China's support for teh genocidal government". "Having endured the bitter experience of abandonment by our presumed allies during the Holocaust, we feel a particular obligation to speak out against injustice and persecution today" the text of a joint statement read. "Jews should not be party to the whitewashing of such a regime." Thankfully, the call for a boycott is limited to the Olympics and is not intended toward all dealings with China. "I don't think there is anything wrong with people doing business with China, but the Olympics is not business, it is fun and pleasure." Many believe that "they should not be able to be the center for the world's most famous sporting event, and Jews should be sensitive to that". "I don't think people should spend their discretionary time or funds in support of an activity which serves to give legitimacy to a government which is doing some terrible things."

Reaction- The AP World theme this article relates to is number two, impact of interaction among and within major societies, because it talks about the treatment of people. The background consists of Jewish leaders thinking that they are not helping with Darfur. They know from teh Holocaust, their experience with Nazis, and see no help or action takign place while "innocent blood is being shed". The article is written by a Jewish reporter, an insider on the situation, which may cause a bias article being on the Jewish side. I would like to hear from China's point of view, because they are the complete oppiste of what information was given. Although Jewish people feel China is no help, I feel the Olympics is something that brings teh world together, and stopping this would make things work. I think both sides should pull together to help people from getting hurt.