Jewish leaders seek improved ties with Chavez

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
President Hugo Chavez met with Jewish leaders on Wednesday, pledging to work together against anti-Semitism and open up channels of communication despite strong differences on Mideast politics. Both Chavez and leaders of the World Jewish Congress called the meeting a success. "There may be some differences of opinion on some issues - on major issues such as Iran and also the Middle East," Michael Schneider, the organization's secretary-general, said after the meeting. "But when it comes to anti-Semitism, I think we're on the same page." "We mentioned our concerns about anti-Semitism and asked him what his position was," Schneider said. "And he said he was certainly not an anti-Semite." The socialist president said it was a "very important meeting," but did not elaborate.