RHR-NA condemns Mukasey testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee

Yesterday, in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Mukasey once again refused to call the practice of waterboarding illegal, and did not rule out its future use. Under questioning from Senator Joseph Biden, Mukasey stated that the cruelty of torture must be balanced against the potential benefits of the information to be obtained. He is willing to engage in this balancing act even though he admitted that if he were waterboarded, he would consider that to be torture!

RHR-NA condemns Mukasey's statements and his refusal to say that waterboarding is illegal. This practice is especially repugnant to us as Jews, since it was developed specifically to be used against Jews during the Spanish Inquisition. Torture is wrong, morally, legally, and ethically. As Jews, we recognize the image of God in every human being and call on our govenment to hold the CIA to the same standards as found in the Army Field Manual.

RHR has issued a press release. We urge you to send it to your local media and adapt it based on the needs of your local community. The NRCAT (National Religious Coalition Against Torture, our interfaith partner organization) has also issued a release.I would also direct your attention to today's New York Times editorial.