NEW YORK – The American Jewish Committee issues a statement on October 16 applauded a Greek state prosecutor’s decision to bring to trial leaders of the neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn.

“Prime Minister Samaras and Greece’s law enforcement and judicial authorities have pursued Golden Dawn with admirable courage and determination, demonstrating principled leadership,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris, who added, “The Golden Dawn Party threatens the very foundation of Greece, the cradle of democracy. Bringing party leaders to justice for their criminal activity is important for the well-being and security of Greek society.”

The press release noted “The prosecutor, Isidoros Doyiakos, announced that 70 Golden Party members, including imprisoned party leader Nikos Michaloliakos party leader and 17 other lawmakers, should stand trial for murder, weapons offenses and multiple attacks on immigrants, leftists and gay people.A panel of three judges received the prosecutor’s 700-page document and is expected to issue indictments within weeks. The charges cover more than 30 years of criminality. Golden Dawn has used violence, intimidation and neo-Nazi symbolism to promote its racist ideology, which targets immigrants, Jews and others deemed to be “non-Greek.”

In New York in September 2013, Prime Minister Samaras vowed at an AJC reception to “deracinate” the Party, and proceeded to launch a crackdown on the party that led to the arrest of nearly all Golden Dawn members of parliament and parliamentary action cutting off funding for the party.
“They are a criminal group of people, who will be tried in a democratic manner,” the Greek leader said.

AJC has been visiting Greece regularly for over three decades, cooperates closely with Hellenic-American groups, and has an association agreement with KIS, the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece.