Washington, D.C. – In a recent letter to the Armenian Assembly of America this week, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) expressed its continued solidarity with the Armenian community and people, particularly in Artsakh, where the continued blockade of the Lachin Corridor has caused a humanitarian crisis for the Armenian people since December 2022.
Reflecting on the "shared experience" of the Jewish and Armenian peoples as targets of genocide in the 20th century, the JCRC appreciated the two communities building "strong bonds of solidarity over decades through ongoing joint advocacy and collaboration."
"At this time of year when both of our communities pause to remember our histories, and as we join with the Armenian community in the coming days to commemorate their experience of genocide, it is fitting and necessary as well that we pause to bring attention to the plight of the Armenian community in Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh."
In 2020, the JCRC called upon the U.S. to intervene during the 44-day war and to deescalate the conflict, and once again "calls upon the United States Congress to meet the pressing humanitarian and recovery needs in Artsakh."
"We cannot sit idly by as the Armenian people face the risk of another extraordinary humanitarian disaster," the statement concluded.
"The Assembly welcomes this statement of solidarity with the Armenian people of Artsakh and appreciates our close and continued partnership with JCRC and the Jewish community," said Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. "We hope other interfaith, government, and civic organizations will follow suit and express similar sentiments to help bring an end to the inhumane blockade on the Lachin Corridor and the genocidal policies of the Aliyev regime."
JCRC is an umbrella organization with 45 Member Organizations.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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