"We are always on the side of human rights. We act through our local community, through our European organisation, and at conferences like this one," said Mr. Benatoff as our reporter asked him about his opinion of Latvia trespassing ethnic Russians' rights.
"To protect human rights was our principal mission a mere three years ago. However, anti-Semitism has gained momentum in Europe over these three years and, regrettably, we have to concentrate on that challenge. Despite all that, we are closely monitoring Latvian developments, and our spokesmen have pronounced on the matter on the World Jewish Congress' behalf.
"We are working at such conferences as this to give a practical purport to their statements in particular countries' respect," said the European Jewish Congress President.