In Rare Political Statement, Concerned U.S. Holocaust Museum Sends Clear Message on Syrian Refugees

The U.S. Holocaust Museum released a rare political statement Thursday, urging politicians and citizens to "avoid condemning today's refugees as a group."

Image source: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

"Acutely aware of the consequences to Jews who were unable to flee Nazism, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum looks with concern upon the current refugee crisis," the Washington, D.C., museum said. "While recognizing that security concerns must be fully addressed, we should not turn our backs on the thousands of legitimate refugees."

[sharequote align="center"]"...we should not turn our backs on the thousands of legitimate refugees."[/sharequote]

"The Museum calls on public figures and citizens to avoid condemning today’s refugees as a group," it added. "It is important to remember that many are fleeing because they have been targeted by the Assad regime and ISIS for persecution and in some cases elimination on the basis of their identity."

The statement comes the same day the House passed legislation strengthening the security screening process used to vet refugees seeking asylum from war-torn Syria. President Barack Obama, who has sparred with Republicans on this issue, had threatened a veto.

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