MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

President Chavez at peace with World Jewish Council

Pte. Chavez with his counterparts C. Fernadez and L. da Silva during his recent visit in Bs. Aires

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez promised a delegation of visiting Jewish leaders he would condemn “all forms of anti-Semitism.”

President Chavez's promise came during a meeting this week in Caracas with leaders of the World Jewish Congress arranged by the presidents of Argentina and Brazil, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Lula da Silva. World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder said Chavez promised to initiate a meeting with the leaders of those nations to jointly condemn "all forms of anti-Semitism, discrimination against minorities and anti-Muslim sentiment." A career military man, Chavez was elected to power in 1999 and has been a fierce critic of global economic policy and describes the United States as "the empire of evil" and President George Bush as "Mr. Danger". The Venezuelan president is a close ally of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, whom he considers his mentor, and has links with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Chavez was accused of anti-Semitism following a 2006 speech in which he said the "the descendants of the same ones who crucified Christ" controlled the world's wealth, though some Venezuelan Jews said the critics took the comments out of context. Under Chavez's rule, the Venezuelan Jewish community has declined by about a quarter, according to the WJC. "The world Jewish community is calmer now about President Chavez" Latin American Jewish Congress President Jack Terpins said following the meeting. "He has demonstrated that he is a great friend of this community."