The Chairman of the European Jewish Association Rabbi Menachem Margolin expressed his concern at remarks made by the Romanian President in which he resorted to language such as “secret agreements with the Jews.”

President Klaus Iohannis made the remarks to the media following Romanian Prime Ministerial meetings with the Israeli government. The President it seems was expressing his discomfort over not being previously consulted on the content of the visit as well as on the decision of Jerusalem recognition, according to established protocol, where the controversial remark was made.

Rabbi Menachem Margolin, whose Brussels based organization represents Jews across the continent warned that Heads of State should avoid using such language “heavy at it is with connotation and sinister undertone.”

In a statement from Brussels, Rabbi Margolin said, “Regardless of established protocols and the President’s evident displeasure that they were not adhered to, I would urge restraint and caution when it comes Heads of State to using language such as this.

“In the media heat of the moment, finding the correct words is not always easy, and we are prepared to give the President the benefit of the doubt on this occasion. But using such language, loaded as it is with connotation and sinister undertone, can be seized upon by unsavory elements in society and naturally, sets off alarm bells amongst the Jewish community.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)