Saudi Interfaith Center Names Rabbi to Board

In a surprise move, a new Saudi Arabian-backed center promoting interfaith dialogue has appointed an Israeli rabbi to its board of directors.

David Rosen, an Orthodox rabbi from Jerusalem, was selected to serve on the interfaith center named after Saudi King Abdullah, which began work in Vienna on Monday.

Rosen serves as the international director of interreligious affairs of the American Jewish Committee, and as an adviser on interreligious affairs to Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, Ynetnews.com reported.

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“His selection is surprising in light of the extreme sensitivity in appointing an Israeli personality to a Saudi-initiated and sponsored center,” the website observed.

Rosen met recently with King Abdullah and told Ynet that “during the meeting, King Abdullah spoke warmly about the Torah and its purpose, alongside the Koran and New Testament.”

Rosen said he thanked the king “for his courage to include an Israeli rabbi on the board.”