New York City mayor Bill de Blasio urged Syrian Jews in Brooklyn to empathize with refugees fleeing war-torn Syria en masse, telling congregants at Congregation Shaare Zion on Saturday that the current situation resembles that of the Jews during World War II.
“I know this community understands deeply the pain of any family that must leave a homeland they love because they were forced away by violence and discrimination,” says de Blasio, according to the New York Post.
“When it comes to saving children and families from one of the greatest crises of our times, I remind people to look at history,” he adds.
Some congregants are skeptical about the comparison.
“The difference between me coming here in 1991 with my family is that we were kicked out for being Jewish,” one says, according to the Post.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at a press conference in New York City on November 22, 2015. (Michael Graae/Getty Images/AFP)
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