A senior British Labour Party member of parliament has apologized, after it emerged that he had made comments on social media in which he called Zionism a “dangerous nationalist idea” and accused Israel of terrorism. Lloyd Russell-Moyle, 33, a shadow environment minister and the MP for Brighton Kemptown on England’s south coast made the comments before becoming an MP. Read Here
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THIS WEEK’S CONTENT
WATCH THE WEEKLY CAM NEWSLETTER SUMMARY BELOW
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(1 Piece)
1. JOIN ACT.IL AND SUBMIT YOUR ANONYMOUS STORIES OF ANTI-SEMITISM ON CAMPUS
Jews on campuses everywhere are facing a rising tide of anti-Semitism. According to a new report by the AMCHA Initiative, 297 incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault targeting Jewish students were recorded on 118 U.S. campuses in 2019 while Israel-related anti-Semitic acts increased by 59%.
Students and academics must not remain silent in the face of anti-Semitic adversity and harassment. Join our partner Act.IL’s newest campaign to share your real and anonymous stories of anti-Semitism on campuses, in high schools, and everyday life on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Together, we can show that hatred against Jews has no place on campuses or anywhere.
SPECIAL FEATURE
(4 Pieces)
1. PUBLIC CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO REMOVE THREE-HOUR ANTI-SEMITIC SPEECH BY LOUIS FARRAKHAN FROM YOUTUBE
By Benjamin Kerstein
A public campaign has been launched to persuade YouTube to remove a video of the notoriously anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s July 4 address, in which he referred to Jews as “Satan” who should have their brains knocked out by the “stone of truth.” The Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) said that Farrakhan’s address was “in clear contravention of YouTube’s own policies on hate speech.” It called on YouTube to immediately remove the video, and also asked the public to help by submitting a report from the video’s page and contacting Matt Halprin, YouTube’s vice president of global trust and safety.
CAM Director Sacha Roytman-Dratwa stated, “Louis Farrakhan has a long history of anti-Semitism, incorporating it into the very legitimate, important fight for civil rights and equality. His perversion of these values by promoting hatred and dehumanization of Jews is quite simply unacceptable.” Read Here
2. FLIP SIDE OF THE COIN – FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION
By Yaffah Batya DaCosta (Founder and CEO, Ezra L’Anousim)
Our Israeli non-profit, Ezra L’Anousim, has chosen to focus on helping the Sephardi victims of anti-Semitism of over 500 years ago. We do this specifically in terms of helping those descendants of the “forced converts” of Spain and Portugal who had suffered through the Inquisitions & persecutions of the Sephardim. We are also called Crypto-Jews (secret Jews) because the forced converts (and also all their descendants) had to hide as observant Jews to save their lives.
Meanwhile, these people were referred to (in the Jewish responsa writings) as Anousim (which means forced or coerced) and their descendants are called Bnei Anousim. Currently, we are experiencing a global Bnei Anousim Movement of revival, renewal and return that our organization actively supports and assists. Bnei Anousim are coming out of the shadows of secrecy and returning publicly to the faith and traditions of their Sephardi ancestors. We sincerely believe that the Jewish world as a whole should be much more involved in helping the people in this movement. Because we Jews are responsible for one another. And we’ve all experienced anti-Semitism at one point or another. Read Here
3. UNITING PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS: MUSLIMS & JEWS COMBATING ANTI-SEMITISM TOGETHER
By CAM
In a one-of-a-kind event, the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement and the American Sephardi Federation brought together a unique global conversation with interfaith and political leaders from around world engaged in the fight against anti-Semitism. The inspiring messages shared by these multi-faith leaders have been a wake up call that religious hatred as we know is not a reality that should be accepted as fact and that a different future for Jews and Muslims can be achieved. Read Here
4. FUMBLING ANTI-SEMITISM: UNDERSTANDING THE DESEAN JACKSON INCIDENT
By Shellie McCullough
Some claim DeSean Jackson, Stephen Jackson and Nick Cannon were merely looking upwards at something they hoped would uplift, and in being so enamored with the act of uplifting, stumbled onto Anti-Semitism without realizing it. The question becomes: how is it that one could be so spellbound by the act of uplifting, the act of seeking the truth, that in doing so one claims that singling out Jews is merely part of the natural progression of truth seeking one stumbles onto by accident, while targeting Jews specifically? To claim one is asking questions, or is attempting to uplift oneself, is not a problem in and of itself, but in the free-for-all of ideas that is the internet, not all ideas are equal, nor are they all true.
A deliberate lie about Jewishness is not merely any idea to be considered, it is a weapon used to attack Jewishness. Being enraptured by a deliberate lie about Jews is not asking an innocent philosophical question, it is propagating a dangerous libel against Jewish people. When one insinuates that the process of asking questions about the world requires Jews to be libelously framed as enemies, while also claiming answers about the world can only be found with those who place targets specifically on Jewishness by propagating libelous falsehoods about Jews, stumbling onto Anti-Semitism is no accident. Read Here
UNITED STATES
(13 Articles)
1. NICK CANNON LET GO BY VIACOMCBS OVER ANTI-SEMITIC COMMENTS
By Lisa Respers France
ViacomCBS is ending a decades-long relationship with Nick Cannon after he recently made anti-Semitic comments on his podcast. ViacomCBS announced Tuesday that it was severing its ties with Cannon. A spokesman for the corporation released a statement saying the company “condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism.” Read Here
2. DESEAN JACKSON PENALIZED BY EAGLES FOR ANTI-SEMITIC INSTAGRAM POST WILL REMAIN WITH THE TEAM
By Marc Narducci
The Eagles penalized wide receiver DeSean Jackson for “conduct detrimental to the team” following his inflammatory anti-Semitic social media posts that faced public criticism last week. In the post, Jackson praised anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan and shared a quote which he falsely attributed to Adolf Hitler. While the penalty was not disclosed, league sources have confirmed it was a fine. Read Here
3. STEPHEN JACKSON APOLOGIZES FOR ‘USING THE WRONG WORDS’ IN ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS
By Justin Baragona
Former NBA Player Stephen Jackson attempted to apologize for the anti-Semitic comments he made while defending DeSean Jackson’s own comments. Stephen Jackson took to Instagram to claim DeSean was “speaking the truth,” and later brought up anti-Semitic conspiracies surrounding the Rothschild family on Instagram live. Jackson spoke to CNN anchor, Don Lemon, and initially defended his comments suggesting people got them twisted saying “nice try” before apologizing for “using the wrong words,” and claiming he didn’t mean to offend anyone. Read Here
4. ICE CUBE FIRES BACK AT KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR COLUMN FOR CALLING OUT HIS ANTI-SEMITISM
By Joseph A. Wulfsohn
Ice Cube fired back at NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who blasted both the sports and entertainment industries for a lack of outrage over recent incidents of anti-Semitism, including one from the rapper. The column didn’t sit well with Ice Cube, who later blasted The Hollywood Reporter for running it. “Shame on the Hollywood Reporter who obviously gave my brother Kareem 30 pieces of silver to cut us down without even a phone call,” the rapper tweeted. Read Here
5. #JEWISHPRIVILEGE TRENDS AS JEWS USE THE HASHTAG TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST ANTI-SEMITES
By Jacob Judah
The hashtag #JewishPrivilege was trending on Twitter in the UK and North America, as Jews shared stories of anti-Semitism. While many using the hashtag were anti-Semites and conspiracy theorists, many Jews also shared stories of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust – with the hashtag used ironically. Other Jews, especially in the United States, used the hashtag to discuss the place of the struggle against anti-Semitism within the broader antiracism movement globally. Read Here
6. OPINION WRITER BARI WEISS QUITS NYT, SAYS COLLEAGUES CALLED HER ‘NAZI, RACIST’
By JOSEFIN DOLSTEN
Bari Weiss, the Jewish opinion writer and editor, has resigned from The New York Times. The author of a much-discussed recent book on anti-Semitism, wrote that the newspaper had become a place where “intellectual curiosity — let alone risk-taking — is now a liability” and said she had been subjected to bullying from colleagues who disagreed with the ideas she advanced in her columns. “They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I’m ‘writing about the Jews again.’” Read Here
7. TWO SYNAGOGUES IN SARASOTA, FL DEFACED BY ANTI-SEMITIC VANDAL
By CAM
Both Temple Sinai and Temple Emanu-El in Sarasota, Florida were targeted by an anti-Semitic vandal. Both synagogues were spray painted with swastikas and anti-Semitic hate speech, likely by the same perpetrator. The vandalism covered roughly three-quarters of Temple Sinai’s campus. This is the second time that Temple Emanu-El has been targeted with anti-Semitic vandalism in the last four months. Read Here
8. BALTIMORE POLICE MAKE ARREST FOLLOWING ROBBERY, ANTI-SEMITIC ABUSE OF JEWISH TEENS
By Algemeiner Staff
Police in Baltimore arrested a “person of interest” in connection with the robbery of four Jewish teenage boys in a shopping mall by an assailant who used an anti-Semitic epithet. The suspect had been carrying a knife which he made visible to his victims. The four boys were forced to hand over their cellphones, cash and shopping bags. At least one of the boys was wearing a kippah which was also taken by the assailant, who used an anti-Semitic expletive during the attack. Read Here
9. ORTHODOX JEWISH MAN SUBJECTED TO ANTI-SEMITIC SLURS AND ASSAULT IN BROOKLYN
By CAM
A 51-year old Orthodox Jewish man was beaten and targeted with anti-Semitic slurs in Brooklyn. The man was walking home when a car drove by, which NYPD believes contained three suspects. The suspects shouted unspecified anti-Semitic slurs from the car, then proceeded to get out of the car and repeatedly punch the man. The victim was treated at a nearby hospital for a broken finger and wounds to his face that required stitches. Read Here
10. CONNECTICUT SYNAGOGUE “ZOOM-BOMBED” DURING SHABBAT SERVICE
By CAM
A synagogue in suburban Connecticut is reeling after an online Shabbat service was hijacked by anti-Semitic hackers in the middle of the Mourner’s Kaddish, one of the most solemn moments of a Jewish prayer service. During Friday night services at Temple Sinai, a Reform congregation in Newington, congregants were traumatized with swastikas, and other anti-Semitic images filling the screen. The hackers utilized a number of Zoom features to spread their anti-Semitism. Read Here
11. HATZALAH ZOOM CALL ON ANTI-SEMITISM ZOOMBOMBED WITH PORNOGRAPHIC IMAGES
By Aaron Bandler
A Zoom call hosted by United Hatzalah with around 75 attendees was disrupted with sexually explicit images. Friends of United Hatzalah Los Angeles Executive Director Carolyn Kangavari said the attack took place 15 minutes into the call. The event was on the rise of anti-Semitism and featured David Suissa and journalist Lisa Daftari. Kangavari said the Zoombombers shouted hate speech in addition to posting the pornographic images. Read Here
12. FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE DEFENDS MEL GIBSON FROM ACCUSATIONS OF ANTI-SEMITISM
By Benjamin Kerstein
A Republican Congressional candidate in Flordia, Jessica “Jessie” Molton, defended actor Mel Gibson from charges of anti-Semitism following Jewish actress Winona Ryder’s revealed that Gibson had called her an ‘oven dodger”. Molton, who is running against incumbent Ted Deutch, claimed “The left attacking Mel Gibson over hearsay according to clepto girl,” in a Tweet referring to Ryder’s arrest for shoplifting years ago, adding “Of course they are. He’s a Christian and ready to expose all their dirty secrets.” Read Here
13. FORMER NYPD COMMISSIONER WARNS US JEWS: PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITIES
By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
Jewish communities in America should follow the example of those in Europe and put security measures in place in synagogues, Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly warned, saying that “we are in a dangerous place in history.” “In the US, the Jewish community needs to be more alert about who is entering community premises,” Kelly said. Kelly, who now heads the Anti-Semitism Accountability Project (ASAP), visited ten European countries to meet with government and faith leaders to examine how anti-Semitism is being tackled on the Continent in comparison with the US. Read Here
WORLD NEWS
(4 Pieces)
1. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UK
BRITISH LABOUR MP FORCED TO APOLOGIZE FOR CALLING ISRAEL A TERRORIST STATE
By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
KENT POLICE INVESTIGATE FAR-RIGHT STICKERS WITH PHRASES LIKE “HITLER WAS RIGHT” JUST WEEKS AFTER CAA REVEALED HOW SIMILAR STICKERS WERE APPEARING IN THE AREA
By CAA
Kent Police are investigating far-right stickers with phrases such as “Hitler was right”, “they lied about Hitler” and “national socialist now”. The new graffiti was found in Cliftonville and Dane Valley. Read Here
ISRAELI ACTIVIST RECOUNTS EXPERIENCES WITH LEFT-WING ANTI-SEMITISM IN UK
By Algemeiner Staff
Israeli-born UK resident Adam Ma’anit — a former co-editor of the New Internationalist — told of the intimidation and harassment he had experienced at a new job. After saying he was Israeli, another employee asked, “Don’t you want to burn that Israeli passport?” while making a gesture like flicking a cigarette lighter and grinning. He recalled colleagues had told him they would never hire a Jew, that they had “never met a good Jew before,” and “Jews sadly haven’t learned the moral lessons of the Holocaust.” Read Here
TORY PARTY ACCUSED OF ‘INACTION’ OVER ANTI-SEMITISM INVESTIGATIONS INTO MPS
By Lee Harpin
The Conservatives have been accused of “inaction” over investigations into serious claims of anti-Semitism by MPs, councillors and activists within the party. Last December, days before the general election, the Tories announced they had begun investigations into three parliamentary candidates over allegations of anti-Jewish racism. But there has been growing concern over the progress of the investigation into the trio – two of whom were subsequently elected as Conservative MPs. Read Here
BRITISH LABOUR OFFICIAL QUITS AFTER SUSPENSION FOR 2018 ANTI-SEMITIC TWEETS
By CAM
The UK Labour Party suspended Yvonne Davies after looking into allegations of anti-Semitism against her. Davies, the leader of the Sandwell Council was under fire for a series of anti-Semitic tweets that blame “Israel’s hand” and the “Jewish establishment” for the massive defeat of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Read Here
MIRIAM MARGOLYES SAYS “A CONSPIRACY WITHIN THE PARTY MOTIVATED FROM ISRAEL” FORCED JEREMY CORBYN TO STAND DOWN AS LABOUR LEADER
By CAA
The outspoken actress Miriam Margolyes has claimed that former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn was “forced” to resign due to “a conspiracy within the Party motivated from Israel”. Ms Margolyes made the comments to The Times, adding that Mr Corbyn “was not and never was an anti-Semite,” apparently despite all the evidence to the contrary. Read Here
ANTI-SEMITIC SIGNS POSTED IN ST. ALBANS
By MICHELLE MONROE
Anti-Semitic signs have once again appeared in downtown St. Albans. One of the signs appeared near the office of attorney James Levy, who is Jewish. It proclaimed “Jews Rape Kids and Run to Israel to Hide.” Read Here
LABOUR SUSPENDS BRIGHTON COUNCILLOR OVER ALLEGED ANTI-SEMITISM
By Henry McDonald and Jessica Elgot
Anne Pissaridou is the second Labour representative from Brighton and Hove to have been suspended in relation to anti-Semitic content. A Labour investigation will centre on a Facebook post she shared, linking the Rothschild family with what it claimed to be the imminent collapse of the German banking system and warned about the need to stockpile food. It is accompanied by a statement that the famous Jewish family had been in “de facto control of the world’s central banks for centuries”. Read Here
2. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY
ARABIC-SPEAKING MEN HURL ANTI-SEMITIC ABUSE ABOUT ISRAEL AT MUNICH RABBI
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
The police in the city of Munich reported that a group four men pursued the community’s rabbi Shmuel Aharon Brodman and hurled anti-Semitic sentiments at him. They followed him and repeatedly made derogatory verbal statements about the state of Israel.” The police said that “a possible motivation for these statements could be that he wore a kippah in the incident. According to [Brodman’s] observation, the people spoke Arabic to each other.” Read Here
EUROPE’S OLDEST JEWISH CEMETERY VANDALIZED
By CAM
Heiliger Sand, the Jewish cemetery in Worms, Germany, is believed to be the oldest in Europe. It was vandalized last week, leaving several dozen gravestones damaged. Originally established in the 11th century, the cemetery has been the final resting place for generations of Jews. The perpetrator(s) remain at large. Read Here
GERMAN MPS PART OF BDS CALLING FOR ISRAEL’S DESTRUCTION IN ART EXHIBIT
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
A shocking new art exhibit that urged the complete dissolution of the Jewish state was designed by the vice president of the German-Palestinian Society in which three members of the federal parliament have posts on the advisory board of the pro-BDS organization. The three German members of the Bundestag on the board – Omid Nouripour (Green Party), Aydan Özoguz (Social Democratic Party), Christine Buchholz (The Left Party) – refused to answer questions about whether they approved of the allegedly anti-Semitic exhibit. Read Here
JEWS IN GERMAN CITY OF COLOGNE ANGERED BY DEFACING OF HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL BY ANIMAL RIGHTS EXTREMISTS
By Algemeiner Staff
The Jewish community in the German city of Cologne was locked in a battle with animal rights activists, following a demonstration in which a Holocaust memorial fountain was vandalized with red dye to simulate blood, alongside slogans protesting cruelty to animals. Activists associated with the “Animal Rebellion” organization which staged the protests angrily denied that the fountain had been targeted for anti-Semitic reasons. Read Here
BIG INCREASE OF PALESTINIAN TERRORIST MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS IN GERMANY
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
The number of members and supporters of the US and EU-designated terrorist organization the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has dramatically increased in Germany. According to a review of the newly released German domestic intelligence service report, the number of PFLP members rose from 100 in 2018 to 120 in 2019. Read Here
3. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
AL JAZEERA ANCHOR’S ANTI-SEMITIC TWITTER PERSONA
By Arab News
Al Jazeera anchor Ghada Oueiss wrote an opinion article for the Washington Post in which she detailed her alleged struggle with cyberbullying campaigns on Twitter at the hands of — as she claims — droves of Saudi and Emirati bots. The piece demarcates what happened to her but fails to bring to light what her own account regularly churns out in terms of anti-Semitism to over 716,000 followers. Read Here
TOP US JEWISH GROUP SLAMS TURKEY’S ERDOGAN OVER ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ JERUSALEM REMARK
By Algemeiner Staff
A top US Jewish group castigated Turkey’s president over an “outrageous” recent remark he made about Jerusalem. “We are appalled by the incendiary and offensive statement made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that characterized the recent conversion of the ancient church, Hagia Sophia, to a mosque as part of ‘return to freedom to Al-Aksa,’ implying that he seeks to take control of the holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City,” the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said. Read Here
4. IN DEPTH: OTHER WORLD NEWS
ONLINE RETAILER PULLS SWASTIKA FROM STORE FOLLOWING BACKLASH
BY CAM
Online retailer Shein, a fast fashion store that ships to over 200 countries, was discovered to be selling a swastika necklace. The symbol, used by the Nazis, was a shocking addition to their summer jewelry lineup. The fashion faux pas drew a lot of attention online and quickly lead to the iconic anti-Semitism symbol being pulled. Read Here
ANTI-SEMITIC MEME PROMOTED TO MORE THAN 6 MILLION, VIA TIKTOK ALGORITHM
By CAM
The rapidly growing social media app, TikTok, is facing questions after a deeply anti-Semitic video was allowed to remain online for more than 8 hours. Not only could viewers see the song that mocked the Auschwitz concentration camp, but TikTok’s own algorithm promoted it. The algorithm allowed more than 6 million users to view a song about Auschwitz that included the lyrics, “We’re going on a trip to a place called Auschwitz, it’s shower time.” Read Here
A CRUEL CUT IN VICTORIA
By EVAN ZLATKIS
A hair salon owner in Melbourne has spoken of her shock and hurt after receiving a text message from a prospective employee refusing to work with her because she is Jewish. After posting a job advertisement, the owner invited the applicant to meet with her at the salon, only to be told, “Hi [name withheld], thank you for the call this morning, however I’m going to have to cancel our appointment tomorrow, I wasn’t aware at the time you were Jewish and refuse to work with you.” Read Here
ABC APOLOGY OVER ‘BIG JEW’
By AJN Staff
An on-air apology over an anti-Semitic slur made by a talkback caller on an episode of the ABC Radio program Australia All Over with Ian McNamara has been welcomed by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC). The caller said she managed a factory in the 1980s which “employed so many people. And when I was working they were worried sick that this big Jew was gonna buy it out and eventually he did and he broke, and he sold all our machinery and everything went over to China.” Read Here
‘JEWS ARE OUR DOGS’: ANTI-SEMITIC CHANT AT MISSISSAUGA RALLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY POLICE
By Caryn Lieberman
An incident at an anti-Israel rally in Mississauga, Canada is the subject of a hate-crimes complaint under investigation by Peel Regional Police. Video from the rally shows a protester chanting an anti-Semitic slogan in Arabic, “Palestine is our country and the Jews are our dogs,” and others could be heard repeating it back. Read Here
ANTI-SEMITIC TORONTO EATERY IS HEADING TO COURT OVER DISCRIMINATION
By CODY LEVINE
Foodbenders, the Toronto-area eatery whose owner, Kimberly Hawkins, is at the center of a storm for promoting extreme anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist theories and tropes, which included placing signs claiming Israeli responsibility for police brutality in the US and allegations that Jeffery Epstein was part of a “Zionist Mossad” operation, is being taken to the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal in a discrimination lawsuit. Read Here
CANADIAN FAR-RIGHT POLITICIAN CALLS JEWS ‘PARASITIC TRIBE,’ SEEKS THEIR REMOVAL FROM CANADA
By DAVID LAZARUS
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police opened an investigation into a fringe right-wing politician who called for the removal of Jews from Canada. In a flyer and a video, Travis Patron, the leader of the Canadian Nationalist Party, describes Jews as “swindlers,” “snakes,” “inside manipulators,” and a “parasitic tribe.” “If they had their way, our entire way of life would be eradicated,” Patron says in the video. “And what we need to do, perhaps more than anything, is remove these people once and for all from our country.” Read Here
ANTI-SEMITIC POSTERS IN DOWNTOWN KITCHENER, ONTARIO PROMPT POLICE INVESTIGATION
By Matthew Pierce
A series of anti-Semitic posters promoting neo-Nazism recently appeared in downtown Kitchener, prompting a police investigation and strong condemnation from local politicians. The posters advertise a website with Nazi imagery and messaging as well as a private forum. Read Here
POLISH STATE MEDIA ACCUSES OPPOSITION OF SUPPORTING JEWISH RESTITUTION
By Aaron Reich
A Polish state television news report accused the centrist presidential candidate running against the incumbent of supporting restitution of property taken from Jews during the Holocaust. The headline of the news report, “Will Trzaskowski fulfill Jewish demands?,” refers to opposition candidate Rafał Trzaskowski, who is running against the incumbent conservative President Andrzej Duda. Read Here
‘GO HOME!’: US AMBASSADOR TO WARSAW DRAWS ANTISEMITIC FURY FROM POLISH FAR RIGHT
By Ben Cohen
The US ambassador in Warsaw has been facing a sustained rhetorical attack from Polish right-wing nationalists, with one televised missive falling upon classically-anti-Semitic tropes. Georgette Mosbacher faced a deluge of criticism following a recent Twitter exchange in which she condemned a former defense minister. Far-right journalist Tomasz Sommer assailed Mosbacher, discussing the ambassador’s personal life, Sommer remarked that her second husband was a Polish-born Jew who had worked with “Jewish movie companies in the US.” Read Here
RUSSIAN FM PLUGS BOOK BLAMING DOWNED MALAYSIAN JET ON ‘JEWISH ILLUMINATI’
By LAHAV HARKOV
Director of Information and Press for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova spoke to media about the 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) crash. Zakharova mentioned a book on the topic recently published in Malaysia, which she said indicates that Malaysians are “increasingly eager to form their own opinion about the crash,” free of Western biases. The book’s title is “Uncovering the Mystery of Tragedy MH370 & MH 17: The Jewish Illuminati Antichrist’s Journey,” in Malay. Read Here
CEMETERY VANDALIZED WITH SWASTIKAS AND ANTI-SEMITIC INSCRIPTIONS IN GRUISSAN, FRANCE
By France 3
“Mort aux Français”, “Mort aux Juifs”, “Vendus”, “Crève”: these inscriptions, accompanied by swastikas, were found, tagged with black felt tip pen on twenty tombs in the cemetery of Gruissan. Read Here
AFTER DIEUDONNÉ, YOUTUBE DELETES ALAIN SORAL’S CHANNELS
By Lois Rekiba
The video platform YouTube deleted the channels of far right conspirator and Holocaust denier Alain Soral. This sidelining of the controversial videographer comes shortly after the hardening of the regulations of the online video platform, aimed at countering any proliferation of hate speech and conspiracy. Read Here
2 SUSPECTS TO STAND TRIAL IN KILLING OF PARIS HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ALLEGEDLY WITH ANTI-SEMITIC MOTIVE
By MARCY OSTER
Two men who allegedly killed and robbed a Holocaust survivor in her Paris apartment more than two years ago were ordered to stand trial on charges that the crime had an anti-Semitic motive. The charred body of Mireille Knoll, 85, was discovered in her apartment. Paris prosecutors in said there was enough evidence to order a trial on charges that the murder was aggravated by anti-Semitic hatred. Read Here
THIS FRENCH TOWN IS KNOWN FOR SAVING JEWS DURING WWII. IT JUST ELECTED A FAR-RIGHT MAYOR WHO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF ANTI-SEMITISM.
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
The municipal council of Moissac sometimes calls its French town overlooking the Tarn River, “the city of the Righteous Among the Nations.” It’s a reference to how hundreds of locals during the Holocaust helped resistance activists rescue about 500 Jewish children. Now Moissac is again making headlines, but for a much different reason: Its new mayor, Romain Lopez, has been accused of making anti-Semitic statements and is part of the far-right National Rally party founded by the Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen. Read Here
BELGIAN PENSIONER RECEIVES PRISON SENTENCE FOR SWASTIKA-ADORNED ‘NAZI HOUSE’
By Algemeiner Staff
A Belgian man was sentenced to one year in prison for his refusal to remove the Nazi flags and slogans that adorn his house in the town of Keerbergen. Georges Boeckstaens — a former corporal in the Belgian army — was defiant after his sentencing, saying that he was “not hurting anyone” with the display at his private residence. The 77-year-old’s home was the subject of numerous complaints from locals, who referred to it as the “Nazi house.” Read Here
BRAZILIAN JEWISH HOSPITAL SUSPENDS DOCTOR FOR COMPARING COVID-19 TO THE HOLOCAUST
By MARCUS M. GILBAN
A prominent Brazilian physician was suspended by Latin America’s leading Jewish hospital after comparing the fear of the coronavirus pandemic to the Holocaust. Nise Yamaguchi, an oncologist and immunologist at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, made the comparison in an TV appearance. “Fear is harmful to everything,” Yamaguchi said. “First, it paralyzes you. It makes you easy to manipulate. Do you think that a few Nazi soldiers would be able to control the hungry Jewish herd if they did not subject them to that daily humiliation?” Read Here
ON CAMPUS
(8 Articles)
1. ‘OUR SON WAS ASSAULTED, ROBBED’
By REBECCA DAVIS
Brighton Secondary College in Australia has once again come under fire as more shocking claims of anti-Semitic bullying have surfaced. The family of a Jewish year 8 student shared their experiences of anti-Semitic bullying which is said to have begun at the school last year, and have recently culminated in criminal charges. Two Jewish brothers at the school endured years of anti-Semitism in the form of verbal abuse and physical harassment. Read Here
2. ‘HEIL HITLER’ SALUTE AT SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY IN AUSTRALIA
By AJN STAFF
A gang of neo-Nazis invaded the campus of Swinburne University of Technology. The group, believed to be from National Social Network (NSN), a fringe organisation, posted a self-portrait in which the hooded figures gave a “Heil Hitler” salute. The group later used VK, Russia’s equivalent of Facebook, to post a bizarre note of thanks to Swinburne, ending in a comment, “Swinburne for the White Man”. Read Here
3. ANTI-SEMITIC BULLYING STRIKES NSW SCHOOLS
By SOPHIE DEUTSCH
A student drawing a picture of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele and talking about “dissecting Jews” is one of many reported anti-Semitic incidents said to have pushed a Jewish student to decide she will leave her school in NSW’s Central West. The 15-year-old private school student has been in ongoing discussions with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBOD) CEO Vic Alhadeff, informing him a few days ago that she plans to leave the school largely due to consistent anti-Semitic abuse. Read Here
4. NYU SLAMS ANTI-ISRAEL GRAD STUDENT UNION’S CALL TO BOYCOTT TLV GLOBAL SITE
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
The management of New York University flatly rejected an allegedly anti-Semitic call by the Graduate Student Organizing Committee labor union to boycott NYU Tel Aviv. “NYU categorically rejects GSOC’s call to eliminate NYU Tel Aviv from the list of locations designated to support students in our ‘Go Local’ option for fall 2020,” university spokesman John Beckman said. “GSOC’s repeated attempts to exclude, stigmatize and boycott NYU Tel Aviv are at odds with the tenets of academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas.” Read Here
5. ‘FREE PALESTINE’ SPRAY-PAINTED ON UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN HILLEL
By JNS
The outside of the Hillel building at the University of Wisconsin in Madison was vandalized. The words “Free Palestine” appeared on the concrete structure that welcomes people to the building. “We view this act of vandalism as targeting the Jewish community and as an incident of bias,” said UW Hillel president and CEO Greg Steinberger. Read Here
6. CALIFORNIA BOARD OF EDUCATION URGED TO REJECT CAMPAIGN TO IMPOSE ETHNIC STUDIES CURRICULUM VIEWED AS ANTI-SEMITIC
By Algemeiner Staff
Eighty-eight Jewish and pro-Israel groups have expressed concern in a letter over a campaign to subvert the California Department of Education’s approval process and institute an ethnic studies program viewed by many as anti-Semitic. Members of the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Advisory Committee (ESMCAC) are pushing for the adoption of a draft ethnic studies model curriculum accused of political bias, which California Governor Gavin Newsom called “deeply offensive” and Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said needed to be “substantially redesigned.” Read Here
7. FSU SGA SENATE PRESIDENT TURNS AWAY STATE LAWMAKERS DURING VOTE ON ANTI-SEMITISM RESOLUTION
By Jason Delgado
Florida State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) voted to approve a resolution that would adopt a new definition of anti-Semitism for the university. The resolution passed with a vote of 26 yeas and 14 nays after a marathon meeting consisting of six hours’ worth of public testimony by students, as well as debate between student senators. The new definition mirrors the definition recognized by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Florida statutes and the U.S. State Department. Read Here
8. PENN STATE STUDENT APOLOGIZES FOR CONTROVERSIAL PHOTO AND WORKS WITH RABBI TO MAKE AMENDS
By Jesse Bernstein
Ryann Milligan, 21, was at the center of an anti-Semitism controversy that threatened to irreparably damage her life: A photo of her from high school resurfaced — one that showed her smiling with friends, a swastika drawn prominently on her shoulder. With help from Rabbi Gregory Marx, she’s trying to make amends. Soon after they met, Marx said, it became apparent that Milligan “is not a hate monger, not a neo-Nazi. She was rather a young, 15- or 16-year-old girl who, with some friends, did some stupid things.” Read Here
ANALYSIS
(5 Pieces)
1. ANTI-SEMITIC POSTS — AND TEPID REACTIONS — SHOULD ENRAGE US
By Mitch Albom
Part of inspiring others to care about your pain is caring about theirs. But the truth of Jackson’s wrist slap is likely this: Anti-Semitism doesn’t cause the same fury as other prejudices. This was reflected in the tepid reaction to DeSean Jackson, and in Jenkins’ statements that “Jewish people aren’t our problem” and “Let’s not lose focus on what the problem truly is …” No, Malcolm, this is what the problem “truly is.” Intolerance. Stereotyping. Repeating others’ hate-filled rhetoric. “Silence is compliance.” That’s a popular sentence today. But you can’t be selective with your noise. Not against hate. For all the bigoted garbage stirred up against Jews last week, it was disturbingly quiet out there. We should think twice about why that is. Read Here
2. WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE OVER ANTI-SEMITISM IN SPORTS AND HOLLYWOOD?
By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Recent incidents of anti-Semitic tweets and posts from sports and entertainment celebrities are a very troubling omen for the future of the Black Lives Matter movement, but so too is the shocking lack of massive indignation. What we got was a shrug of meh-rage. When reading the dark squishy entrails of popular culture, meh-rage in the face of sustained prejudice is an indisputable sign of the coming Apatholypse: apathy to all forms of social justice. After all, if it’s OK to discriminate against one group of people by hauling out cultural stereotypes without much pushback, it must be OK to do the same to others. Illogic begets illogic. The lesson never changes, so why is it so hard for some people to learn: No one is free until everyone is free. Read Here
3. THE ANTI-SEMITISM WE DIDN’T SEE
By Jemele Hill
Like Jackson, I am Black. And had anyone made a remark trivializing slavery, I would have been incensed. I learned that just because I’m aware of the destruction caused by racism, that doesn’t mean I’m automatically sensitive to other forms of racism, or in this case, anti-Semitism. Black people, too, are capable of being culturally arrogant. Regardless of what happens with Jackson, the unfortunate truth is that some Black Americans have shown a certain cultural blindspot about Jews. The thirst for liberation and equality can never come at the expense of dehumanizing other marginalized groups—especially at a time when hate crimes against Jews have increased significantly. Read Here
4. THE DISTURBING RISE OF ANTI-SEMITISM AMONG BLACK CELEBS
By Cassie Da Costa
Anti-Black and anti-Jewish racism are not interchangeable realities, but they are related and feed upon each other, undermining the liberation of Black and Jewish people (and, of course, Black Jewish people) alike. Like anti-Black racism, anti-Jewish racism cannot have a place in any legitimate anti-racist liberation movement, yet unfortunately, like with anti-Black racism, those who spout anti-Jewish ideas refuse to acknowledge their prejudice, instead qualifying their hateful words with claims to good intentions. When Black celebrities claim that their anti-Semitism is actually a “pro-Black” stance, they assert that the only possible form of liberation for Black people is through creating our own “Other.” Read Here
5. THE RISE OF PART-TIME ANTI-SEMITISM BLURS TRADITIONAL DEFINITIONS
By MANFRED GERSTENFELD
One of the issues many observers have to come to grips with is that much of contemporary Jew-hatred can best be called part-time anti-Semitism. These are people who commit anti-Semitic acts or make such statements intermittently. On other occasions, some may even make positive remarks about Jews and/or Israel. Until the Second World War, anti-Semitism had a limited number of core motifs. Gradually there were also new mutations of these motifs, while occasionally a new motif appeared. Since the Holocaust, further new expressions of hatred have emerged. The many expressions of part-time anti-Semitism is one major reason why the analysis of contemporary anti-Semitism is so difficult. Read Here
STUDIES AND STATISTICS
(2 Pieces)
1. EXTREMISM ON THE RISE IN GERMANY, INCREASING THREAT OF ANTI-SEMITISM
By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
Political extremism is on the rise in Germany across the political spectrum, increasing the threat of racism and anti-Semitism in the country, a new government report has found. The number of criminal acts motivated by left-wing extremism jumped nearly 40% in 2019, a report by Germany’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) found. On the Right, the number of right-wing extremists recorded by the office rose sharply over the same period. Read Here
2. NEW REPORT CONFIRMS AL JAZEERA’S ROLE AS QATARI AGENT
By Steven Emerson
An explosive new report released by former US Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-FL), provides compelling evidence that the Al Jazeera television network has been operating for years as an agent of the Qatari government. This is a clear violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires agents of foreign governments to acknowledge their connections to those governments publicly. One of Al Jazeera‘s longtime cartoonists, Ummaya Joha, has used her cartoons to glorify Hamas, celebrate terrorism, and promote anti-Jewish blood libels. She has also spread anti-Semitic imagery and incitement. Read Here
FEATURED PARTNER
Combat Anti-Semitism is proud to be a partner of Adopt-A-Safta, a nonprofit initiative that pairs young adult Internationals and Israelis with survivors of the Shoah. Learn more about Adopt-A-Safta in the video below.
ADOPT-A-SAFTA PAIRS YOUTH WITH AT-RISK HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Among the roughly 180,000 elder Holocaust survivors living in Israel, 25% live below the poverty line and nearly 40% feel lonely, according to a recent report by the Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel. In an effort to alleviate a sense of loneliness and isolation, the non-profit NGO Adopt-A-Safta is pairing young professionals with at-risk survivors to provide communication, affection, and invaluable resources. Read Here
Adopt-A-Safta is a nonprofit initiative that pairs young adult Internationals and Israelis with survivors of the Shoah who feel lonely. Working off of the Big Brother/Big Sister model, young volunteers “adopt” a grandmother or grandfather in Israel that is in need of love and attention. Adopt-A-Safta’s goal is to train as many volunteers as possible and to connect these two communities: young adults seeking to make meaningful contributions and Survivors in need of warmth and connection.
PARTNER CONTENT
KENNETH MARCUS RETURNS TO JEWISH CIVIL RIGHTS AGENCY
By PHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
A top-ranking official at the US Education Department is returning to the organization he started eight years ago to combat anti-Semitism at colleges and universities. Kenneth Marcus will become chairman of the board of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law after two years as the education department’s assistant secretary for civil rights. Read Here
ISRAELI RESEARCH CENTER FINDS 28 NEW HEZBOLLAH MISSILE LAUNCH SITES
By ANNA AHRONHEIM
There are at least 28 missile launching sites belonging to Hezbollah in civilian areas in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, a report by ALMA Research and Education Center has found. The report found that the never-before-published sites concentrated mainly in Hezbollah-dominated areas of Beirut are related to the launch, storage and production of the group’s Fateh 110/M600 medium-range missiles and are “the same as those subject to the Hezbollah precision-guided missile project (PGMs).” Read Here
88 GROUPS CALL ON CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO POSTPONE ADOPTING ETHNIC STUDIES CURRICULUM
By CAM
The AMCHA initiative sponsored a letter to the California State Board of Education President, Dr. Linda Darling Hammond calling on her to address the politically charged nature of the “Save CA Ethnic Studies” group. The letter signed by the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement and dozens of other organizations strongly encouraged Darling-Hammond to examine how “Save CA Ethnic Studies” is misleading school boards across California to approve an ethnic studies curriculum in public schools that many find to be anti-Semitic. Read Here
Government & Policy Update
This section highlights the work of government officials around the world that are combating anti-Semitism in their official capacities.
(10 Pieces)
1. MISSOURI ENACTS ANTI-BDS LAW, JOINING 31 OTHER STATES
By JNS.org
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill into law to prohibit the state contracting with companies that boycott Israel, becoming the 32nd state to enact an anti-BDS measure. The state’s House of Representatives passed the measure, 95-40, in May. The state Senate passed it, 28-1, on April 30. The Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Act prohibits Missouri and its political subdivisions from entering into contracts worth more than $100,000 with companies with 10 or more employees that engage in BDS. Read Here
2. ELAN CARR CALLS J STREET ANNEXATION TWEET ANTI-SEMITIC, SPARKING ARGUMENT
By CELIA JEAN
US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr, sparked a heated online argument among global Jewish community contributors when he called out a tweet posted by J Street, a liberal Jewish Middle East lobbying group. The tweet used an image of US President Donald Trump, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Benjamin Netanyahu and former US Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, and was captioned “Stop Annexation.” Under its call to action, the organization wrote “tell the US Senate: US taxpayers should not foot the bill for West Bank annexation.” Read Here
3. LABOUR RECEIVES DRAFT OF EHRC REPORT INTO ANTI-SEMITISM IN PARTY
By JEWISH NEWS REPORTER
Labour has said it has received a draft of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on its investigation into anti-Semitism in the party. The party said that it had been sent as “part of a process afforded to us” ahead of the publication of the commission’s final report. It is sent in confidence by the EHRC, so until that process is completed, it would be inappropriate to comment on any of the contents of the draft report – and we will not do so,” the statement said. Read Here
4. UK’S LABOUR SAID SET TO APOLOGIZE TO WHISTLEBLOWERS BEHIND ANTI-SEMITISM EXPOSÉ
By TOI STAFF
Britain’s Labour Party is slated to issue a formal apology to a group of whistleblowers who accused the party under the leadership of former chairman Jeremy Corbyn of systemically interfering with efforts to address anti-Semitism. Seven of the eight whistleblowers whose testimony served as the backbone of a BBC Panorama documentary on the issue went on to sue the party for defamation. Read Here
5. ISRAEL’S OUTGOING U.N. AMBASSADOR: ‘WE HAVE TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM ON ALL FRONTS’
By Souad Mekhennet
Israel’s outgoing ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, spoke to The Washington Post about his five years in the position, security threats in the region and anti-Semitisim. “The issue of anti-Semitism is very important to me — it is a global issue. We should not be silent about it. That’s why I dedicated a lot of effort to educate my colleagues at the U.N. about the danger of hate [and] anti-Semitism,” Danon said. Read Here
6. IHRA CONDEMNS EFFORTS AROUND GLOBE TO REHABILITATE REPUTATIONS OF HOLOCAUST CRIMINALS
By Algemeiner Staff
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) issued a statement condemning “any attempts to rehabilitate the reputations of anyone who was complicit of the crimes of the Holocaust.” The statement was unanimously agreed upon at a virtual IHRA plenary meeting. “At a time of multiple crises, when the facts of history are increasingly distorted, it is essential the IHRA take a clear stance when it comes to the rehabilitation of such problematic figures,” IHRA President Ambassador Michaela Küchler said. “This issue, which violates our common principles, affects countries involved in the IHRA and beyond.” Read Here
7. GERMAN ANTI-SEMITISM OFFICER RECEIVES ABUSIVE POST – AND DEFENDS HIMSELF
By Spiegel
The Federal Government’s Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix Klein received a threatening letter about the synagogue community in Halle. A photo of Adolf Hitler is emblazoned on the top and below it, the words “Heil Hitler”. Jews are insulted in the letter which also contained white powder. “It is precisely the challenges of the corona pandemic that fuel many crude conspiracy myths, which Mr Klein has spoken about several times in the media,” his office said. After a “security-related assessment” of the letter, a criminal complaint was filed. Read Here
8. GERMAN OFFICIAL CHIDES BYSTANDERS FOR ‘LACK OF CIVIL COURAGE’ AFTER MUNICH RABBI VERBALLY ACCOSTED BY ANTI-SEMITIC ASSAILANTS
By Algemeiner Staff
A German government official has criticized bystanders for a “lack of civil courage” after a Munich rabbi was verbally accosted. Ludwig Spaenle — the Bavarian commissioner on combating anti-Semitism — said, “I’m particularly concerned about the fact that citizens who obviously saw the incident did not rush the aid of the rabbi or informed the police.” “We cannot allow people of Jewish faith to be victims of assault and insults,” he added. “An attack on Jews is always an attack on … society.” Read Here
9. AUSTRIA TO CREATE AWARD NAMED FOR SIMON WIESENTHAL
By TOBY AXELROD
An Austrian parliamentary committee paved the way for the creation of an annual prize to encourage the fight against anti-Semitism. An amendment passed last week would create an award named for Simon Wiesenthal, the late Austrian Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter. The winner would receive about $17,000 annually. Two additional awards of about $8,500 each would go to those who have made a “special civil society commitment against anti-Semitism and for education about the Holocaust,” according to a parliamentary statement. Read Here
10. ANTI-SEMITIC BULLYING: MPS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
By J-Wire Newsdesk
Two Victorian opposition members of parliament have criticised the Victorian Department of Education following reports of anti-Semitic bullying in a State secondary school in Melbourne. The Victorian Minister for Education James Merlino said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to anti-Semitism. These accusations are extremely serious and I will not stand for this kind of behaviour. As soon as we became aware of these disturbing allegations, we commenced a full investigation. Read Here
HUMANITY
(11 Pieces)
1. IN FIRST, SAUDI ACADEMIC PUBLISHES PAPER IN ISRAELI JOURNAL
By LAHAV HARKOV
A professor from King Saud University in Riyadh published an article in Hebrew in an Israeli academic journal, which is unprecedented. Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim Alghbban, Head of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization and Hebrew Studies at King Saud University wrote the article in Kesher, the journal of the Shalom Rosenfeld Institute for Research of Jewish Media and Communication at Tel Aviv University. The article is titled “Contribution to Prophet Muhammad’s Image Improvement in the Eyes of the Israeli Public: Muhammad’s Alliances and Mail Exchanges with Jews from the Arabian Peninsula,” in which Alghbban argues that the prophet had good relations with Jews. Read Here
2. JULIAN EDELMAN INVITES DESEAN JACKSON TO TRIP TO HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AFTER EAGLES WR’S ANTI-SEMITIC POSTS
By Mark Daniels
The Patriots veteran said he wants to meet with his fellow NFL receiver in the hopes that the two can talk about issues that both people of Jewish faith and African Americans deal with in this world. Edelman invited Jackson to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Read Here
Compassion, empathy and love.
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻
Link to full video: https://t.co/pNkLg9s44V pic.twitter.com/LspyPKzCC3
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) July 9, 2020
3. EAGLES’ DESEAN JACKSON MEETS WITH 94-YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR
By ADAM WELLS
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson is taking steps to learn more about the history of anti-Semitism in the wake of anti-Semitic posts he made. Jackson met with a group opposed to anti-Semitism and with a 94-year-old Holocaust survivor. “Today I had an opportunity to speak with 94-year-old holocaust survivor Mr. Edward Mosberg,” Jackson wrote on Instagram. “Thank you Mr. Mosberg for your valuable time and insight today. Jackson also accepted an invitation to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp. Read Here
4. ROBERT DE NIRO TALKS ABOUT VISITING ISRAEL, FUTURE OF FILMMAKING WITH TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
By Shiryn Ghermezian
US actor Robert De Niro reminisced about his first trip to Israel and what lay ahead for the film industry during a webinar with Tel Aviv University students. “The Irishman” star recalled visiting the Jewish state for the first time four decades ago. During that trip, he met and formed lifelong friendships with late Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and late President Ezer Weizman. The Oscar winner’s most recent trip to Israel was in 2013 with one of his children for late President Shimon Peres’ 90th birthday celebration. Read Here
5. ACTRESS WINONA RYDER OPENS UP ABOUT HER FAMILY’S HOLOCAUST TRAUMA: ‘I’M GRATEFUL MY PARENTS TOLD ME THE TRUTH’
By Benjamin Kerstein
Actress Winona Ryder opened up about the legacy of Holocaust trauma in her family, saying she sometimes slept in the doorway to her parents’ bedroom for fear the family would be taken away and killed as her father’s family had been. Ryder, who was born Winona Horowitz, has been silent about her Jewish heritage for most of her career, but with her newfound comeback as a player in the massive hit series Stranger Things, she has begun to speak much more publicly about her identity. Read Here
6. CHIEFS’ MITCHELL SCHWARTZ POSTS POWERFUL MESSAGE ON ANTI-SEMITISM, SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES MATTER
By Liz Roscher
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz, one of just a handful of Jewish men playing in the NFL, had some thoughts on Jackson’s comments. Schwartz, an eight-year NFL veteran, focused his message on fighting anti-Semitism, but also emphasized that he supports the Black Lives Matter movement. He called on all athletes to understand the power of their platforms and to use them responsibly. Read Here
7. PITTSBURGH STEELER’S ZACH BANNER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM
By CAM
Following the outrageous anti-Semitic Instagram post by Eagles Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson, a few NFL players have spoken out. One of them is Zach Banner, Pittsburgh Steeler offensive tackle. In a very moving video, Banner spoke of his love for the Jewish community and how he was emotionally impacted by the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh less than two years ago. His voice shaky, he reminded viewers, “When we talk about Black Lives Matter and talk about elevating ourselves, we can’t do that while stepping on the back of other people.” Read Here
This video is to transition from the incident, and move forward as a community. Not to harp on @DeSeanJackson10 mistake, but to progress by educating ourselves. We can’t move forward while allowing ourselves to leave another minority race in the dark.#Equality pic.twitter.com/MnLnCCYzQL
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) July 8, 2020
8. ‘SPANISH SCHINDLER,’ WHO REPORTEDLY SAVED OVER 5,000 JEWS DURING WWII, GIVEN ONLINE TRIBUTE
By JTA STAFF
Angel Sanz Briz, a Spanish diplomat who reportedly saved over 5,000 Jews from Nazi persecution in Hungary, was given an online tribute 40 years after his death. It is believed that in the last seven months of 1944, Briz issued forged Spanish documents to 5,200 Jews. A tribute hosted by the chief Sephardic rabbi of Buenos Aires, Isaac Sacca, was organized by Menora, an Argentine Sephardic institution, with the support of the Center Sefarad Israel in Spain, the Argentine Jewish group DAIA and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, or FCJE. Read Here
9. JOSH GAD STANDS AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM IN WAKE OF NICK CANNON’S AND OTHER STARS’ COMMENTS
By STEPHANIE DOWNS
The Frozen star Josh Gad posted a video in which he explained that he stands firm against anti-Semitism. As he explained in the video, there has been an unfortunate rise in anti-Semitism over the past several years and, more specifically, in the past week, which he called “frightening” and “really disgraceful.” He said, “And I’ve seen it from people in a position who should know better and who have an ability to really send messages to a large swathe of people who I would imagine can benefit from greater messaging than intolerance at a time when there is so much intolerance.” Read Here
10. JEWISH CELEBS SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH ANTI-SEMITISM IN ‘#JEWISHPRIVILEGE’ PUSH BACK ON TWITTER
By Shiryn Ghermezian
After anti-Semitic Twitter accounts began posting tweets with the hashtag “JewishPrivilege,” comedian Sarah Silverman and other Jewish social media users pushed back by using the hashtag to share their experiences with Jew-hatred. Not long after “#JewishPrivilege” went viral on Twitter, Jewish Twitter users flipped the hashtag and used it to tell their personal stories about facing antisemitism. Read Here
My dad getting the shit kicked out of him everyday at school 4 being a kike to kids in NH throwing pennies at me on the bus to pastors in Florida calling for my death and telling their congregation that knocking my teeth out and killing me would be God’s work. #JewishPrivilege
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) July 12, 2020
11. JEWISH ACTOR JOSH MALINA ASKS WHY NO ONE ‘CANCELS’ ANTI-SEMITES
By Aaron Reich
Jewish actor, Josh Malina, who is most famous for his role on the TV series West Wing, took to Twitter to advocate for withdrawing support for public figures who show anti-Semitic behavior and questioned why ‘cancel culture’ never seems to include anti-Semites. Malina’s tweets follow a rise in anti-Semitism, and anti-Semitic remarks by public figures. Read Here
OVER 273,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 259 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SIGNED OUR PLEDGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
“Combat anti-Semitism (CAM) is a non-partisan, global grassroots movement of interfaith individuals and organizations united to combat anti-Semitism. CAM exposes anti-Semitic activity from across the ideological spectrum and highlights those working to fight against its resurgence. One of the most pernicious forms of modern anti-Semitism is the effort to deny and delegitimize the Jewish people’s right to self-determination and their profound historic, religious and cultural connection to their ancestral homeland, Israel. Humanity flourishes when religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity is respected, and we hope to encourage understanding and set an example through our work. Anti-Semitism is the oldest form of bigotry and by working to eliminate it, we hope tragedies like the holocaust or any incidents of hate inspired speech or violence perpetrated against the Jewish people, Israel, or any discriminated group are reduced significantly.”
