Please forward to your family and friends and ask them to take the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge today! Taking a pledge can be the start!
THIS WEEK’S CONTENT
TAKE ACTION
(2 Pieces)
VENTURE CREATIVE CONTEST – ROUND ONE
Round One of the CAS Venture Creative Contest is now closed. We received more than 145 submissions and will update all of the participants soon about next steps. Thank you to all of the participants as well as our partner organizations for co-sponsoring the contest and spreading the word!
S.2680 – Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019
This week we ask you to take action by educating yourself about the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019, which imposes sanctions targeting Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and any affiliate or successor groups. S.2680 was introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)in the Senate on October 23, 2019 after a House version of the bill passed earlier this year.
Rubio, Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Sanction Enablers of Palestinian Terrorist Groups
By the Office of Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019 (S. 2680), bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions against foreign individual, entities, and governments that provide support to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian terrorist groups. This bill also requires the President to submit to Congress an assessment of whether critical foreign countries are doing enough to counter the fundraising, financing and money laundering activities of Palestinian terrorist groups. “It’s long overdue for the United States to hold accountable foreign nationals and governments who are actively providing material support to Palestinian terrorist groups,” Rubio said. “This bipartisan bill would impose sanctions against foreign enablers of Palestinian terrorism. I am proud to join Senator Blumenthal in working to keep America, Israel, and our other allies safe from threats.” Read Here
Notable Supporters
CAS is pleased to announce that Ambassador Dore Gold has signed the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge! Ambassador Gold serves as the President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and previously served as Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, and as an adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
UNITED STATES
(8 Articles)
1. Amazon removes Christmas ornaments with images of Auschwitz from its website
By MARCY OSTER
Christmas ornaments and bottle openers featuring the site of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp that were for sale on Amazon were removed from the site. The products were taken off the website hours after the Auschwitz Memorial and Museum asked the site to remove the items. Read Here
2. Washington’s Sixth & I synagogue vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti
By JOSEFIN DOLSTEN
The Sixth & I synagogue in downtown Washington, D.C., was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti. The vandalism contained swastikas and anti-Semitic language. In an email to congregants, the synagogue’s three rabbis said the damage was minimal and would be quickly fixed. Read Here
3. Pastor known for anti-Semitic conspiracies calls effort to impeach Trump a ‘Jew coup’
By MARCY OSTER
The effort to impeach President Donald Trump is a “Jew coup,” according to Florida pastor Rick Wiles, known for his anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. During a broadcast on his TruNews YouTube channel he said “This is a coup led by Jews to overthrow the constitutionally elected president of the United States…They’re coming for you. There will be a purge. That’s the next thing that happens when Jews take over a country, they kill millions of Christians.” His fundamentalist Christian platform regularly releases anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and homophobic videos. Read Here
4. Two Jewish teenagers targeted in latest Brooklyn assault
By AGENCIES
A gang of five men attacked two identifiably Jewish teens on the street in Brooklyn, which has seen a significant uptick in anti-Semitic violence in recent years. The incident happened in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Read Here
5. YouTube removes video of pastor saying Trump impeachment is a ‘Jew coup’ but doesn’t ban him
By Dave Maclean
YouTube has removed the video of a Florida pastor and radio host claiming the effort to impeach Donald Trump is a ‘Jew coup’ – but his channel remains online. The video has since been removed by YouTube, but the channel itself is still online. YouTube has a three-strike policy which sees channels permanently removed when they receive three strikes in three months. Read Here
6. Jackson, NJ council president, defendant in anti-Semitism lawsuit, quits post
By Mike Davis
Jackson Council President Rob Nixon resigned from his council post a year short of completing his second term. Nixon is named as a defendant in the lawsuit filed against the town by Agudath Israel, an Orthodox Jewish advocacy group, that accuses the town of “outrageously targeting” Orthodox Jews. The lawsuit alleges that Nixon pushed code enforcement officers to stake out homes where Orthodox Jews held religious services. Read Here
7. New Hallmark Hanukkah movies called out for anti-Semitic overtones
By BENJY SINGER
The excitement over Hallmark introducing two Hanukkah movies to its Christmas lineup this year was dashed when it became apparent that they contained within them some of the oldest anti-Semitic canards. While the two movies did mention Hanukkah and had Jewish characters, they were far from complimentary or positive about Judaism and the Jewish people. Read Here
8. Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories reign supreme at annual pro-Palestinian conference
By Israel Hayom Staff
Pro-Palestinian advocates addressed the annual American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) conference in Chicago and took turns swinging at Israel and spared no effort to challenge the legitimacy of the Jewish state. AMP is a radical Muslim group that rejects Israel’s right to exist. Among the keynote speakers was Nihad Awad, co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Awad stated that his organization “fights Zionism on a daily basis,” and further labeled the ideology on which the State of Israel has been predicated as “inherently hateful.” Read Here
ISRAEL AND THE REST OF THE WORLD
(4 Pieces)
1. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UK
Hugh Grant attacks Labour over anti-Semitism as he campaigns for Luciana Berger
By Lee Harpin
Actor Hugh Grant has said that Labour’s leadership has not done “anything like nearly enough” to root out the “anti-Semitic element” within the party. Speaking out after joining Finchley and Golders Green Liberal Democrat candidate Luciana Berger on the campaign trail, he also said he “very much doubted” he would shake hands with Boris Johnson.’ Read Here
Scottish Labour and SNP candidates suspended over anti-Semitism claims
By Joseph Wilkes
Both Scottish Labour and the Scottish National Party have suspended candidates over alleged anti-Semitism. Labour has dropped its Falkirk candidate Safia Ali over anti-Semitic posts on Facebook. And the SNP has said it was taking “tough action” against anti-Semitism as it suspended Neale Hanvey, who had been due to contest the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency, running against Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Lesley Laird. Read Here
Rabbi beaten while visiting London by 2 teens shouting ‘f*** Jews’
By JTA
A rabbi visiting London was beaten and left bleeding on the ground in the city’s Stamford Hill neighborhood. Two teenagers allegedly shouted “kill Jews” and “f*** Jews” during the attack, according to the Shomrim of Stamford Hill. The attack has been reported to London Police. Read Here
Hertsmere wracked by fear of Corbyn
By Ben Weich
The Hertfordshire seat of Hertsmere is home to the largest Jewish community outside London and the UK’s third largest overall. It would appear that the vast majority of Jewish voters here, who make up roughly 15% of the electorate, will either vote Tory or Liberal Democrat. Read Here
Mike Freer ‘upset’ by Anti-semitic graffiti daubed over campaign board
By Mathilde Frot
Conservative candidate Mike Freer said he was “upset” by anti-Semitic graffiti daubed over an election campaign board in Golders Green. Pictures show what resembles a swastika with the words “Boris out! Hail Boris” on a board promoting Freer outside a Jewish home in Golders Green. Read Here
London Man Jailed for ‘Vile’ anti-Semitic Harassment of Jewish Women
By Algemeiner Staff
A 20-year-old man from London was jailed after he admitted to stalking and harassing Jewish women. Sam Hemmati targeted a number of Jewish victims and bombarded them with anti-Semitic messages across several different social media platforms. Hemmati sent the victims sexually-explicit material and made offensive comments, including making reference to the Holocaust. Read Here
Rabbis back chief rabbi’s attack on ‘mendacious’ Labour leadership
By Simon Rocker
The Chief Rabbi’s unprecedented intervention in politics has drawn sympathy from across the religious spectrum. Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community, said: “I stand with him and his message.” Reform’s Senior Rabbi, Laura Janner-Klausner, said the issue of anti-Semitism in Labour was “not only a Jewish matter. What is happening is a warning that applies to all minorities.” Read Here
Call for Tories to “take immediate action” against candidate who made anti-Semitic remarks
By Henry Dyer
The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism has called for the Conservative Party to “take immediate action” against Richard Short, the Tory candidate for making anti-Semitic remarks. Posting on Twitter, Short questioned the “allegiance” of journalist Melanie Phillips to the UK, agreeing with another Twitter user that “her allegiance is greater to Israel.” Read Here
“You F***ing Jews”: Breastfeeding Jewish mother screamed at on bus
By Campaign Against Anti-Semisitm
A Jewish mother was harassed while breastfeeding when a woman screamed at her “you f***ing Jews, breastfeeding and blogging up all the buses.” The victim was brought to tears by the unprovoked outburst. The incident took place on the 254 bus from Royal London Hospital. Read Here
Jewish man Cursed on Clapton Common by a man making gun gestures
By Campaign Against Anti-Semisitm
A Jewish passerby on Clapton Common in Stamford Hill was cursed at angrily by a man in an unprovoked attack. The assailant also made hand gestures at the victim, including one signifying a gun. Read Here
Historian Sir Richard Evans changes mind after saying he would vote Labour
By Aleks Phillips
Historian Sir Richard Evans has said he has changed his mind about voting Labour in the December general election after reading an open letter by Anthony Julius. “As much as Corbyn’s lamentable failure to apologise in his TV interview, or the intervention of the Chief Rabbi, this has persuaded me to change my mind and not vote Labour.” Read Here
Jewish candidate for UK Labour Party bombarded with anti-Semitic death threats
A Jewish candidate for Britain’s Labour Party is being bombarded with death threats, half of which are anti-Semitic, she said. Ruth Smeeth said she is afraid to leave her home due to the constant threats. When she does leave the house, she carries a panic button in case she is attacked. Read Here
Unite chair Tony Woodhouse blames ‘hack’ for ‘Juju’ comment to Jewish ex-Labour MP
The chair of Unite the union has claimed his Facebook account was “hacked” after it posted the comment “Juju” on the page of a Jewish former MP.
Tony Woodhouse, the chair of Unite’s executive council, is said to have deleted the post – on the page of ex-Labour MP Ivan Lewis – as soon as he was alerted to it. Read Here
Anti-Semitism is not a sidebar. It is a cornerstone of Labour’s public stance
By Deborah Lipstadt
The second half of the Ten Commandments is comprised of simple didactic instructions, “Do Not…” There are no amendments. There are no exceptions. You shall not murder. You shall not steal. Period. So too, thou shall not and cannot compromise or make common cause with a party and its leaders who engage in anti-Semitism and attack those who are the victims of it. Look what they have done to people such as Luciana Berger, someone who now must take special precautions for her safety. Read Here
Labour’s ‘chilling’ video about supporting minority groups leaves out Jewish community
The Labour Party has been criticised for producing a video about minority groups being valued by the party that leaves out any mention of the Jewish community. The promotional video which claims “diversity is our greatest strength” is over a minute long and features a speech made by Dawn Butler, the shadow equalities secretary, in which she says Labour will support people who wear “a hijab, turban,” or a “cross.” Jonathan Goldstein, chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council, described the notable lack of mention of the Jewish community as “extraordinary and chilling.” Read Here
Northamptonshire police officer dismissed for selling Auschwitz relics on eBay
By ITV
A Northamptonshire police officer has been found to have committed gross misconduct by selling Auschwitz and Nazi relics on eBay. Pc Matt Hart faced four allegations relating to the selling of historical items linked to the Second World War, specifically items connected to Auschwitz and the Third Reich. Read Here
MAN WHO CRITICISED JEREMY CORBYN ON TWITTER HAS SWASTIKA SENT TO HIS HOME BY FIRST CLASS POST, POLICE INVESTIGATING
By Campaign Against Anti-Semitism
A Jewish filmmaker from Hertfordshire who has become increasingly worried about the rise of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership has received a swastika by post at his home address after tweeting criticism of the Labour leader. Read Here
Prominent Liverpudlians sign declaration of solidarity with Luciana Berger and Dame Louise Ellman
By Ben Weich
Nearly 100 prominent Liverpool figures have signed a declaration condemning anti-Semitism, saying that Jewish former MPs Luciana Berger and Dame Louise Ellman in the city were left to “walk alone” over the party’s failure to address it. Among the rabbis, politicians and academics who signed the Liverpool Against Anti-Semitism declaration were Rabbi Ariel Abel, of the city’s Princes Road Synagogue, and legal expert Prof Bernard Jackson. Read Here
Jeremy Corbyn finally says he is ‘very sorry’ for Labour anti-Semitism
Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he is “very sorry for everything that has happened” with anti-Semitism in his party after repeatedly being asked on live TV – but tried to claim he was responsible for putting processes in place to tackle the problem in Labour. Mr Cobyn was repeatedly urged to “just say sorry” about the failure to tackle anti-Jewish hatred by host Phillip Schofield. Eventually Mr Corbyn said: “Obviously I’m very sorry for everything that has happened but I want to make this clear: I am dealing with it, I have dealt with it. Read Here
2. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY
German Far-Right AfD Party Elects New Leader Backed by Radical Wing
BY Reuters
The far-right Alternative for Germany elected a decorator from the east backed by a radical wing within the party as one of two co-leaders. The election of Tino Chrupalla, a lawmaker from Saxony, is a tribute to former Communist eastern states where the AfD has made big gains in three elections this year. Read Here
German NGO blasted for exhibiting ashes of Jews from the Shoah
BY BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
Jewish groups expressed outrage at an oversized urn placed near the Bundestag that organizers say contains the ashes and bones of Holocaust victims. The Center for Political Beauty installed an exhibit on the grounds of the former Kroll Opera House between the Bundestag and the chancellor’s office, to protest conservatism and right-wing extremism. Read Here
German Defense Ministry apologizes for ‘unacceptable’ post of Nazi-era uniform pic
By Associated Press
Germany’s Defense Ministry apologized for an Instagram post about fashion by the military’s social media team which featured a Nazi-era uniform, complete with swastika-embossed medals, with the comment “retro.” Spokesman Christian Thiels told reporters that the post was “an unacceptable mistake for which we offer many, many apologies.” Thiels says it appears to be “an extremely irritating case of thoughtlessness” rather than a neo-Nazi message, and promised consequences after an investigation. Read Here
Germany boosts resources to fight far right
By DW
Top of the agenda at this week’s meeting of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in Wiesbaden was the increasing prevalence of hatred and violence in German society — especially from right-wing extremists. The recent wave of violence now poses a “threat to democracy itself,” according to BKA President Holger Münch. There has also been a rise in right-wing extremists individuals who authorities suspect may be planning deadly terror attacks. Horst Seehofer, who as Germany’s interior minister is in charge of the BKA, managed to convince lawmakers to provide Germany’s security apparatus with extra funding and personnel. Read Here
Berlin Jewish Museum appoints new director after previous head left under cloud
By Toby Axelrod
The Jewish Museum of Berlin has appointed a new director after the previous director stepped down under pressure over controversial decisions. Peter Schafer left in June, more than a year before his scheduled retirement, following several incidents that included hosting anti-Zionist scholar Judith Butler and a tweet by the museum’s public relations chief that appeared to support the boycott movement against Israel. Read Here
Hezbollah uses Germany to finance terrorism, weapons purchases
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
The Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah uses a center in Berlin as well as other locations across Germany to recruit members and raise funds for terrorism and weapons purchases. Tagesspiegel published a detailed exposé on how the Lebanese terrorist organization uses Germany for “money generated” illicit activities and those funds are “used for arms purchases and for financing attacks.” Hezbollah members “use Germany as a place for drug trafficking, trade in stolen cars and money laundering. The implications of the group for the drug business are well documented.” Read Here
German army to suspend elite force member due to far-right, Nazi ties
By AFP and TOI STAFF
The German army is due to suspend a member of its elite KSK force on suspicion of far-right extremism. The army has been covertly investigating him and two other soldiers and was prompted to take action against the man after its probe leaked. Of the other two suspects, one has been stripped of the right to wear a German army uniform while the other has been classed as a suspicious case. Both had allegedly made the banned Hitler salute during a private party hosted by the suspect, who is to be suspended next week. Read Here
German Jews Comment on the Year 2019: ‘All I Want is Normality’
The rise of anti-Semitism in 2019 was felt by the small Jewish community in Germany. Many of its members believe that this sick hatred towards Jews in their country always existed under the surface, and that it has become socially acceptable again. Unintended or not, this development is being fueled by European and German policies, according to critics. Among German Jews, attitudes vary between pessimistic and pugnacious. Read Here
3. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
Jordanian kickboxer refuses to compete against Israeli rival
Jordanian kickboxing player, Mohammed Eid has refused to compete against Israeli contestant at the 4th International Turkish Open Kickboxing European Cup held in Turkey. Israeli media said Eid has refused to compete against Amir Assad, a 22-year-old Israeli Arab from the village of Jit and by doing so handed Assad victory. Read Here
FORMER JORDANIAN MP MAHMOUD KHARABSHE: I DO NOT LIKE TALKING TO JEWS BECAUSE THEY ARE TREACHEROUS AND WILL BE OUR ENEMIES UNTIL JUDGEMENT DAY
By MEMRI
Former Jordanian MP Mahmoud Kharabshe said in an interview on A-One TV (Jordan) that the Jews have their eyes set not only on Palestine, but on the entire Arab world, and that they aim to expand Israel’s borders from the Nile River to the Euphrates River. He said that Jews are treacherous, that they cannot be trusted, and that he does not like talking to Jews because he has an “inner feeling” that they will be the enemies of Arabs and Islam until Judgement Day. Read Here
Palestinian academics deny archaeological evidence of Jews in Israel
By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
The Palestinian Authority is continuing with its propaganda mission to deny Jewish links to the land of Israel by placing on television academics who are willing to refute clear archaeological evidence to the contrary. Palestinian Media Watch has recorded three examples of Palestinian academics appearing on official PA TV to discuss the archaeological evidence linking Jews to the region. In all three cases, the academics outright denied that there was any evidence at all of Jewish life in Israel before 1948, painting the current Jewish population as occupiers and usurpers. Read Here
Two Palestinians indicted for planning attacks on Israel’s Independence Day
By i24News
Two Palestinians were indicted for attempting to join the Islamic State group and planning to carry out terrorist attacks on Israel’s next Independence Day. Ahmad Ja’abis, 21 and Basel Abidat, 19, are from the neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber in east Jerusalem, known for its harboring of anti-Israel sentiment. The indictment read that the two Palestinians intended to “kill as many Jews as possible in the name of Daesh.” referring to IS. Read Here
Israel barring Malaysian ‘Embassy to Palestine’ because of anti-Semitism
By LAHAV HARKOV
Israel has refused to grant officials from Malaysia access to Ramallah in light of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s anti-Semitic statements. As a result, Malaysia opened an “Embassy to Palestine” in Amman. Read Here
4. IN DEPTH: OTHER WORLD NEWS
Dutch daily’s cartoon shows Netanyahu behind Labour anti-Semitism scandals
By JTA
A major Dutch daily ran a caricature whose critics say reinforces anti-Semitic tropes and suggests that Israel’s prime minister is attacking Britain’s Labour Party over anti-Semitism to distract from corruption charges against him. In the caricature in De Volkskrant, Benjamin Netanyahu is depicted holding a stone labeled “anti-Semitism charges” in one hand and reading an indictment for corruption in the other. Read Here
Muslim man who stabbed Jews at Amsterdam market ruled unfit to stand trial
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A Muslim man charged with trying to kill a Jewish father and son at an Amsterdam market has been found not criminally responsible for his actions and sent for psychological care. A Dutch judge ruled that Taha Ewis Bakri Abdel Ghani suffered from delusions, heard voices and experienced psychosis at the time of the stabbing incident. Read Here
Italian plot to create new Nazi party uncovered, police say
By BBC
Italian police say they have uncovered a plot to form a new Nazi party and seized weapons including rifles and swords in searches across the country. Officers raided the homes of 19 suspects. They also found Nazi flags and books on Hitler and Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini. The target was the self-styled Italian National Socialist Workers’ Party. Read Here
New street signs dedicated to persecuted Jews vandalized in Rome
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN
Less than a week after three streets in Rome named after anti-Semitic scientists were rededicated to two pioneering Jewish female scholars and an anti-fascist professor, two of the new street signs were vandalized with black paint overnight. “Disgraceful gesture. Let’s clean up immediately,” Virginia Raggi, the mayor of Rome, wrote on Twitter, denouncing the episode. Read Here
“I know you are a Jew. The Holocaust was invented by you to dominate the world
BY Giulia Castelli
Roberto Matatia, a well-known Italian writer of Jewish origin, was involved in an unpleasant episode while he was at the movies with his family. Matatia was waiting for the beginning of the screening when a man said to him “I know you are a Jew. The Holocaust was invented by the Jews to dominate the world.” Read Here
Belgian officials boycott trade delegation to Israel
BY JTA
Two local governments in Belgium have pulled out of a trade delegation to Israel, citing alleged violations of international law and lack of progress in the peace process. The foreign trade secretary of the government of the Brussels region, Pascal Smet, announced the move, which is a major victory for proponents of attempts to boycott Israel, who have had few breakthroughs in their attempts to shape Belgian-Israeli relations. Read Here
Belgian carnival drops UNESCO status over anti-Semitic float
By AFP
The Belgian city of Aalst has pulled its annual carnival from the UNESCO world heritage list, after an uproar from Jewish groups and the EU, the mayor said. The row erupted in March after Mayor Christoph D’Haese defended a deliberately anti-Semitic carnival float depicting puppets of hook-nosed Orthodox Jews with rats sitting on money bags. Read Here
Belgium: an open investigation after a Nazi salute in an old concentration camp
By BFMTV
A member of a far-right group made a Nazi salute during a visit to Fort Breendonk, a former Nazi prison in Belgium. An investigation was opened by the Antwerp prosecutor’s office for incitement to hatred and / or denial. Read Here
Figure Skater In Half-Nazi/Half-Jewish Prisoner Outfit Nominated For Best Costume Award
By Aiden Pink
A Russian figure skater who recently competed wearing an outfit that is half Nazi-concentration camp guard and half-Jewish prisoner has been nominated for the International Skating Union’s award for best costume. Anton Shulepov was listed among the 52 individuals or teams nominated for the ISU’s first annual best costume award. Read Here
European Jewish practice under threat, says Moscow chief rabbi
BY Aaron Reich
The Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt, has warned that Jewish practice in Europe is “severely under threat.” Speaking at a gathering in Geneva, Goldschmidt, who is also president of the Conference of European Rabbis, said “The continued efforts made by several European nations to restrict our ability to observe important religious customs and traditions are increasingly worrying and problematic. Read Here
Investigation launched into Heil Hitler inscription on synagogue in Lithuania’s Kaunas
By The Baltic Times
Lithuania’s police launched a pre-trial investigation into a Heil Hitler inscription on the sign of the synagogue in Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city. The investigation was launched into incitement to hatred and the offence is punishable with a fine, freedom restriction, arrest or up to two years in prison. Read Here
Norwegian mayor asks church to replace Star of David decor
BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A Norwegian mayor asked a church to replace its traditional Star of David Christmas decoration due to complaints that it’s too associated with Israel and Jews. Strand Mayor Irene Heng Lauvsnes asked the Klippen Pentecostal church, which lights a large Star of David neon decoration in a municipal park where it holds a Christmas celebration, to replace the symbol with a “traditional Christmas star.” Read Here
International Round-Up: Dane turns to American neo-Nazi for help starting a new extremist group in Denmark
By CPH Post
A new data leak unveils correspondence between a Dane and an American right-wing extremist group. The American man in question is the founding member of the neo-Nazi group AtomWaffen Division. The Dane operated under the pseudonym Anti-Gay and is allegedly from Aalborg. He contacted the American man known as Odin and asked for advice on starting a Danish group akin to theirs. Read Here
France anti-Semitism: Jewish graves defaced with Nazi swastikas
More than 100 graves at a Jewish cemetery in France have been defaced with Nazi swastikas in the latest in a wave of anti-Semitic attacks. Vandals spray-painted the gravestones in the eastern town of Westhoffen, near Strasbourg, days after another incident in a nearby village. In response, President Emmanuel Macron said France would fight anti-Semitism “until our dead can sleep in peace”. One tombstone was defaced with the words “Elsässischen Schwarzen Wolfe” (“Black Alsatian Wolves”), the name of a militant far-right group active in the 1970s and 1980s. Read Here
French prosecutors drop murder charges against Jewish kindergarten teacher Sarah Halimi’s killer
By Shirli Sitbon
A French prosecutor has dropped charges against the killer of Jewish kindergarten teacher Sarah Halimi after experts ruled he had suffered a massive psychotic episode by smoking cannabis. Ms Halimi, who was Orthodox, was killed after Kobili Traoré broke into her flat. Witnesses said the 65-year-old was beaten and called a “demon” by her attacker, who recited Quranic verses as he threw her off her balcony. In an appeals court hearing Traoré admitted killing Ms Halimi, saying “I felt persecuted. When I saw the Torah and a chandelier in her home I felt oppressed,” he said. Read Here
Anti-Semitic Far-Right French Weekly ‘Rivarol’: ‘The Leaders Of The Jewish Community Support Islam And At The Same Time Demonize It, In Order To Maximize Their Profit’
BY MEMRI
French Far-Right Weekly Rivarol focuses on anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories. A major claim it repeats is that France’s Jews encourage Muslim immigration to France in order to weaken this country and Europe, but that some of them pretend to oppose this immigration in order to fan the flames of Islamophobia, which helps Israel. Read Here
Six months suspended sentence for Alain Soral for an anti-Semitic quenelle
By Ouest-France
The Colmar public prosecutor’s office ordered a six-month suspended prison sentence against the far-right essayist Alain Soral for having posted a photo of him performing a “quenelle,” a gesture likened to a Nazi salute. The “quenelle” is an “anti-Semitic” gesture in connection with the “contempt” of the Jewish community, said the prosecutor of the Republic of Colmar. Read Here
Anti-Semitism: French Commedian Dieudonné Mbala Mbala sentenced to pay 9000 euros fine for a song
BY Martin de Wallon
The controversial French comedian Dieudonné was sentenced to a 9,000 euros fine that can turn into imprisonment in case of non-payment. He was tried for complicity in anti-Semitic insult after posting an anti-Semitic video and song titled “C’est mon choaaa”. Read Here
Anti-Semitic depictions carved onto cars in Montreal, Quebec
By Nico Johnson
Anti-Semitic depictions have been carved into the snow on several cars in the Plateau area of Montreal, Quebec. Photos of the markings appeared on Twitter, showing four cars that had the Nazi swastika marked onto the windshield and roofs of the cars alongside the Jewish Star of David. Read Here
Germany condemns Malaysian student who gave Nazi salute at graduation
BY Max Walden
Germany’s Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has condemned a Malaysian man who gave the Nazi salute during his graduation ceremony. Responding to a viral social media post, the Embassy said it was “shocked” to learn of the student’s actions. A student of the University of Malaysia posted the photo on his Facebook page, accompanied by a caption written in Malay praising Adolf Hitler. The man added that he “stands in solidarity with Gaza due to my anger, hatred and desire for revenge against the Jewish people.” Read Here
Report raised in Australian Parliament
By REBECCA DAVIS
A mother whose child was the victim of anti-Semitic bullying has now seen parts of the government’s recently compiled report following an investigation into the schools involved. “There was so much redacted [and] the parts that weren’t redacted, showed no accountability on the part of the school,” she said. When probed further by Caulfield MP David Southwick in Parliament about giving the parents full access to the report, Minister for Education James Merlino said “it is not appropriate that they are publicly released.” Read Here
ON CAMPUS
(14 Articles)
1. Chicago university probes assignment with question on whether Holocaust happened
By Marcy Oster
National Louis University has removed a faculty member from a course after a marketing assignment included a question on whether the Holocaust happened. The university said in a statement: “Every day, we strive to create a community where everyone is empowered to live their full authentic selves. We are taking this incident seriously. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form and have a no retaliation policy for individuals who file claims of discrimination. We are currently investigating and will determine the appropriate course of action once our investigation is complete.” Read Here
2. Jewish student gov’t member at McGill U told to cancel Israel trip or resign
By David Lazarus
A Jewish student leader at McGill University in Montreal is fighting efforts to oust her from the student union for accepting a trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Jordyn Wright, a member of the Student Society of McGill University’s legislative council and board of directors, said she is “outraged and disgusted” She is refusing to resign or quit the trip, despite the threat of impeachment upon return. Read Here
3. ‘White supremacist’ propaganda found on BYU campus
By Liesl Nielsen
Stickers and posters promoting a white supremacist group were found on Brigham Young University’s campus. Though the university did not name the group advertised in the posters, the organization is “known to use tactics like this on college campuses across the country,” BYU said. Read Here
4. Swastikas at 2 Georgia campuses alarm students and parents
By Associated Press
Swastikas were drawn on message boards recently in Creswell and Russell halls at the University of Georgia. Two students at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville also reported to campus officials that a swastika was drawn on the doors of their residence hall recently. Read Here
5. Faculty propose action plan to combat Anti-Semitism on campus
By Noah Pasley
Following bias-related incidents at Colorado State University in the spring, two faculty members at CSU developed an action plan to combat anti-Semitism on campus. Some proposed actions include creating a “center for Jews and allies at the Lory Student Center” and developing new courses about Jewish culture and Jewish history in the United States. Read Here
6. York Federation of Students Passes Motion To Oppose Israeli Officials
By Alex Rose
Following on the heels of a violent protest against IDF reservists speaking at York University in Toronto, the York Federation of Students (YFS) passed a motion stating that it will actively work to oppose “representatives of the Israeli state” who appear on campus. The YFS passed the motion just over a week after pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters clashed outside of an event that brought IDF reservists to York to answer questions about Israel. Read Here
7. Police investigating after swastika found painted on Quincy, MA elementary school
By Ashley Clark
Police are investigating after a swastika was found painted on the side of a Quincy, Massachusetts elementary school. Officers say the symbol of hate was spray-painted on the Beechwood Knoll elementary school. Read Here
8. Cherry Creek High student’s expulsion over anti-Semitic social media post violates First Amendment, lawsuit alleges
By Meg Wingerter
A person identified only by his initials sued the Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood Village, CO in federal court this week, arguing the district violated his son’s First Amendment rights when it expelled the teenager over an anti-Semitic social media post. The student from Cherry Creek High was was expelled for sharing a Snapchat picture saying “Me and the boys bout to exterminate the Jews.” Read Here
9. Jewish teen leaves German public high school over classroom anti-Semitism
By Toby Axelrod
A Jewish parent in the German city of Offenbach near Frankfurt is removing her son from public high school due to frequent anti-Semitic comments in the classroom. According to German news reports, Alina R. had encouraged her son to speak with a teacher about the problem. The teacher did not take any action, she said. Read Here
10. Activists at NY pro-Gaza rally call for an ‘intifada in every classroom’
By Jewish News Syndicate
At a pro-Gaza rally in Times Square speakers called for “an intifada in every classroom,” denied Israel’s right to exist and said “Palestinian resistance is not terrorism.” Husam Kaid of the City College, N.Y. branch of Students for Justice in Palestine called for an intifada in every classroom and in every college campus, saying: “We are going to shut down all the Zionist events [and] start an intifada everywhere!” Read Here
11. New study shows most supporters of ‘Palestine’ at UC Berkeley can’t find it on a map
By Neta Bar
Many students who claim to support the Palestinian cause actually know very little about the Israel-Palestinian conflict, according to a recent survey conducted at the University of California Berkeley. Ron E. Hassner, the Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Studies at UC Berkeley, conducted a survey of 230 students at the university. Despite most of the respondents purporting to care “deeply” about the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, “75% of those students cannot locate those territories on a map and 84% cannot name the decade (let alone the year) in which that occupation began,” Hassner wrote in an essay detailing the results. Read Here
12. After Nazi tags, an anti-Semitic tag at Panthéon-Assas University
By valeursactuelles.com
The Union of Jewish Students (UEFJ) at Pantheon-Assas University posted on its Facebook page, a photo of graffiti with the anti-Semitic inscription “Down with Jewry.” Read Here
13. Bristol University adopts IHRA anti-Semitism definition after row
By JC Reporter
Bristol University has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism after a row. The university adopted the definition after it became embroiled in a row for initially refusing to adopt IHRA’s 11 examples of anti-Semitism, including how attacks on Israel can cross into Jew-hate. Read Here
14. University of Siena professor tweets pro-Hitler posts
By ANSA
University of Siena (Florence, Italy) Rector Francesco Frati issued a statement condemning pro-Hitler tweets by Professor Emanuele Castrucci. A post said that “Hitler, even though he certainly wasn’t a saint, in that moment was defending the entire European civilisation”. The professor also tweeted a picture of the Nazi dictator with a dog. Read Here
ANALYSIS
(4 Pieces)
1. Yes, Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism
By Bret Stephens
Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. It’s anti-Semitism because it singles out the Jewish state for opprobrium, and with a prescription that anti-Zionists, with very few exceptions, apply to no other state. So, if you just happened to be opposed to the concept of the nation state altogether, nation states like Denmark, then it’s plausible you can just simply be an anti-Zionist in the same way that you’re against all states founded on nationhood. But otherwise, it is singling out a Jewish state for treatment that isn’t applied anywhere else. Read Here
2. No, Israel does not target Palestinian children
By Ido Levy
It’s true that Israel’s control of the West Bank and frequent conflicts with Gaza have resulted in the detention of — and occasional use of armed force against Palestinian youth. But stating that Israelis intentionally target Palestinian children goes well beyond a display of genuine care for children and crosses a clear line into anti-Semitism. Such claims are modern incarnations of centuries-old blood libels, anti-Semitic slander that falsely accused Jews of killing Christian children to use their blood in religious rituals. Read Here
3. ‘Blood Libel’ is a centuries-old myth used against Jews
By G. Wayne Miller
Blood libel myths have prompted real-life persecutions, murders and pogroms against Jews, starting in the Middle Ages and continuing into contemporary times. “Nowadays, we have grounds for a bit of worry because in Europe, and also [elsewhere in the world] anti-Semitism is spread through media. What’s worrisome nowadays is that we have media online, like 8chan, that can spread these sorts of rumors.” Read Here
4. Jeremy Corbyn Reminds Us Why Israel Exists
By DAVID HARSANYI
“It’s not anti-Semitic to be critical of Israel,” Corbynites, and their progressive ideological cousins in the US like to say. And, of course, they’re correct. Curiously enough, though, those who reserve special opprobrium for a Jewish state they view as an inherently racist and colonial endeavor, as most Corbynites do, also seem to have odious views about the people who democratically govern that small strip of land. Read Here
STUDIES AND STATISTICS
(3 Pieces)
1. New Study Finds More Than Two Thirds of Dedicated Corbyn Supporters Hold Anti-Semitic Views
By Karys Rhea
A new study on anti-Semitism in the UK found that more than two-thirds of strong supporters of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn hold at least one anti-Semitic view. It also found that far-left hatred of Jews is now more prevalent than far-right Jew hatred in Britain, with 60% of the former believing at least one stereotype. The poll revealed that 84% of British Jews believe Jeremy Corbyn to be a threat to the Jewish community, with 42% having considered leaving the country in the past two years due to anti-Semitism, a scale that is “unprecedented since medieval times.” Read Here
2. Anti-Semitism surges in east German state: Study
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
Anti-Semitic attitudes in the eastern German state of Thuringia dramatically increased over the last year from 9% to 16%, triggering alarm bells among politicians in the state. According to the study by Thüringen-Monitor, 16% of Thuringians agree with the statement that people of Jewish faith have something peculiar about them, “and do not really make them acceptable to us.” Read Here
3. More attacks on Jewish institutions than 2018 in Brandenburg, Germany
By Tagesspiegel
In Brandenburg, Germany there were twice as many attacks on Jewish institutions in the first nine months of this year as in the entire previous year. The six cases that occurred this year until September 20 included property damage and graffiti on Jewish memorials and community centers. Read Here
FEATURED PARTNER
Combat Anti-Semitism is proud to be a partner of IACT (Inspired, Active, Committed, Transformed), a visionary campus program that strengthens Jewish engagement and involvement on campus. Learn more about their important work in the video below.
1. Anti-Semitism conference attracts hundreds of college students to Pittsburgh
By Toby Tabachnick
As anti-Israel harassment continues to increase, Jewish and pro-Israel students learn how to respond. IACT (Inspired, Active, Committed, Transformed), a 12-year-old national initiative, is one organization that is leading the way in empowering Jewish student leaders. The group held its first “Anti-Semitism on Campus Today Student Leadership Assembly” in Pittsburgh. The conference was filled to capacity, with more than 300 students from all over the country attending. Another 100 students applied, but all spaces were filled. “We are about promoting authentic Jewish expression and values on campus and helping create a vibrant, transformational campus life for the Jewish community on campus,” noted Cheryl Aronson, vice president of IACT. Read Here
IACT, Inspired, Active, Committed, Transformed – an initiative of CJP – is a comprehensive strategy that leverages Taglit-Birthright Israel to transform Jewish life on campus. IACT achieves its goals through an investment that provides a dedicated staff on campus, significant funding, and ongoing support. IACT strives to increase the number of participants on campus to a sustainable critical mass and strengthens Jewish engagement and involvement.
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR & COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM UPDATE
This section also highlights the work of government officials around the world that are combating anti-Semitism in their official capacities.
(15 Pieces)
1. Pompeo calls for end to boycott and cooperation with Israel
By Middle East Monitor
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Arab states to engage with Israel and end their boycott to achieve regional stability. Pompeo tweeted: “It’s time for Arab countries to abandon boycotts and engage with Israel.” “#MiddleEast divisions = instability. Arab thinkers who risk their lives to bravely advocate a regional vision of peace and coexistence shouldn’t face retribution. We need dialogue.” Read Here
2. French parliament decides anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism
By Lahav Harkov
Anti-Zionism is a form of anti-Semitism, France’s National Assembly determined, voting on a resolution calling on the government to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism. The motion passed 154-72. “For some years now, France, the whole of Europe, but also almost all Western democracies are facing a rise in anti-Semitism,” the resolution states. “Anti-Zionist acts can at times hide anti-Semitic realities. Hate toward Israel due to its perception as a Jewish collective is akin to hatred toward the entire Jewish community.” Read Here
3. Rivlin meets UK Chief Rabbi, says no room for anti-Semitism in government
By Jerusalem Post Staff
President Reuven Rivlin met the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth Ephraim Mirvis in London before participating in a panel with heads of the United Jewish Israel Appeal. Rivlin said that “It means insisting that there is no room for anti-Semitism in the halls of power, and no room for incitement on social media. It means effective legislation, and effective Holocaust education.” Read Here
4. Israeli UN Mission to call for recognition of Jewish refugees
By OMRI NAHMIAS
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, will announce his intention to file a resolution recognizing Jewish refugees from Arab countries. Danon will announce the resolution during a General Assembly discussion to mark 72 years since the November 29 partition plan. The new resolution, asking the UN to recognize the 800,000 Jewish refugees from Arab countries and Iran, is aimed to undermine proposed Palestinian resolutions on the “right of return.” The Israeli Mission will also host an event to formally launch the new initiative in New York, featuring US Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr. Ambassador Danon is a signatory of the Combat Anti-Semitism Pledge. Read Here
5. Elan S. Carr, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the EIPC 2019
By ELNET European Leadership Network
As previously reported, watch the keynote address by Elan S. Carr, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the U.S. State Department at the 2nd ELNET International Policy Conference in Paris. ELNET is a partner of the CAS Movement. Watch Here
6. UN chief blasts Hezbollah for impeding work of Lebanon-based peacekeeping force
By Ariel Kahana
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on Lebanon’s government to disarm Hezbollah, saying it posed a threat to the peacekeeping mission stationed on the Israel-Lebanon border., Guterres issued a new report confirming Israeli claims that UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon are unable to carry out their mission in Hezbollah-controlled areas. Read Here
7. Germany to tighten law on anti-Semitic crimes after Halle synagogue attack
By AFP
Germany is planning to tighten legislation on anti-Semitic crimes, a minister said following a deadly attack aimed at a synagogue in Halle in former east Germany last month. Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht told German Parliament that anti-Semitism would be made an aggravating factor for hate crimes in the criminal code. Read Here
8. German Government Will ‘Ban’ Hezbollah Outright in Coming Week, Report Claims
By Algemeiner Staff
One of Germany’s leading dailies reported that the federal government will issue a complete ban on Hezbollah, the Shi’a terrorist group that serves as the Iranian regime’s proxy in Lebanon. According to Der Spiegel, the decision had been coordinated by the Foreign, Interior and Justice Ministries in Berlin and would likely be formally announced at a conference in the coming days. Read Here
9. Anti-Semitism condemned in Australian Senate
By AJN Staff
South Australian Senator Stirling Griff has called for increased Holocaust education in all Australian schools in the wake of rising anti-Semitism across the country. Senator Griff, together with NSW Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill, moved a motion acknowledging that “anti-Semitic attacks involving face-to-face interactions surged 30 per cent. It also calls for “increased Holocaust education in all Australian schools.” Read Here
10. Malmo municipality sets up $2m. fund to fight anti-Semitism
By Marcy Oster
The Swedish city of Malmo will allocate $2 million to initiatives to protect its Jewish community from anti-Semitism. Malmo, a city where one third of the population is from Muslim countries, is home to several hundred Jews and has dozens of anti-Semitic incidents annually. Among the initiatives proposed by the city’s officials are educational programs in schools to uproot racism against Jews, promotion of Jewish culture, and a study to gauge the public’s perception of Jews. Read Here
11. First-ever mezuzah placed at Ukraine Parliament
By ILANIT CHERNICK
Ukraine’s Parliament building received its first mezuzah during a meeting between the president of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), Dr. Michael Mirilashvili, and the chairman of Ukraine’s parliament, Dmytro Razumkov. During the meeting, Mirilashvili stressed the importance of preserving the historical memory of the Jewish community in Ukraine and “taking a firm stand in view of the increasing number of acts of violence against Jewish religious, public, and educational institutions in order to prevent further escalation of anti-Semitic sentiment in the country.” Read Here
12. Brazil to open trade mission in Jerusalem later this month
By RAPHAEL AHREN
Brazil is set to open a trade office in Jerusalem next month. On December 15, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, known as Apex-Brasil, which operates under the auspices of the country’s foreign ministry, will officially open a trade office in Jerusalem’s Har Hotzvim hi-tech park. Read Here
13. Croatia’s Activities in Protecting Jewish Legacy Assessed as Positive
By HINA
Croatian Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek met in Zagreb with the US State Department’s special envoy for Holocaust issues, Cherrie Daniels, US Ambassador William Robert Kohorst and representatives of the Jewish organisations WJRO and B’nai B’rith. Koržinek presented Croatia’s involvement in dealing with issues relating to the Jewish cultural legacy and the Holocaust, citing “strong and open support by the government.” She informed the delegation of the activities the ministry had launched within its own remit and in cooperation with other state institutions regarding issues of special interest to the Jewish community including property restitution, conservation and protection of historical Jewish cemeteries, activities of the Jasenovac Memorial Centre, establishing the origin of works of art in heritage institutions, protecting and promoting the cultural identity of the Jewish minority, and fostering the culture of remembrance of historical Jewish communities. Read Here
14. Bolivia renews ties with Israel
By HERB KEINON
After a break of more than a decade, Bolivia will renew ties with Israel, Karen Longaric, the foreign minister of the country’s transitional government, announced. Former leftist Bolivian President Evo Morales, who stepped down earlier this month amid widespread protests, broke off ties with Israel in 2009, making it the first country to do so as a result of Operation Cast Lead. Longaric said that Morale’s decision was taken without thinking about the economic and commercial consequences of the move, such as benefits Bolivia derives from Israeli tourism. Read Here
15. Libyan Foreign Minister: We hope for normal relations with Israel
By GIDEON KUTS / MA’ARIV
Abd al-Hadi al-Hajj, foreign minister to General Khalifa Haftar’s interim government backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) and controlling east Libya, said he hopes Libya could establish normal relations with Israel if the Palestinian problem was resolved. “We are a member state of the Arab League and are committed to its decisions, as well as those of the UN,” he explained. “We support the rights of the people, including all of the rights of the Palestinian people. But we support regional peace, oppose terrorism, and fight it in Libya as well.” Read Here
HUMANITY
(9 Pieces)
1. Life Magazine: Albert Speer’s daughter has no doubts
By BRIGIT GRANT
Now 83, Hilde Schram, daughter of Albert Speer, Hitler’s personal architecht, has dedicated life to helping victims of Nazi atrocities and anti-Semitism. She was given the Obermayer German Jewish History Award for her efforts in keeping alive the nation’s Jewish cultural past through Zurückgeben, the foundation she started to support Jewish women in the arts and sciences. Read Here
2. Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were killed in 2008 Mumbai attack, celebrates bar mitzvah
By MARCY OSTER
Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were killed in the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai when he was 2, was called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. Holtzberg celebrated in his hometown of Afula, in northern Israel. Moshe’s parents, Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg, were the directors of the Nariman Chabad House when it was attacked on Nov. 26, 2008. Four other Israeli and American visitors to the house also were killed in the targeted attack by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization based in Pakistan. Read Here
3. Turning negative into positive
By AJN Staff
Players from a western Sydney football team who directed anti-Semitic abuse at their Jewish opponents recently toured the Sydney Jewish Museum and heard from a Holocaust survivor. After anti-Semitic remarks were uttered by players from the Mount Druitt Town Rangers in a youth game several months ago, Hakoah Football Club chairman Jon Pillemer reached out to Mount Druitt president Mark Robertson to consider how to respond to the incidents. Read Here
4. Iranian Judoka to Compete in Tel Aviv as Part of Refugee Team
By Itamar Katzir
Iranian judoka Mohammad Rashnonezhad announced he will compete at the Tel Aviv Grand Prix in January, marking a historic event amid decades-long animosity between Iran and Israel and pressure by Iranian authorities to prevent athletes from competing against Israelis. Read Here
5. Journalists from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq tour Israel
By HERB KEINON
The Israeli Foreign Ministry hosted a delegation of Arab journalists – including from countries with which Israel has no relations – in an attempt to chip away at Israel-hatred in the Middle East. The delegation, which toured the country for five days, included senior journalists from Saud Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Egypt, as well as two musicians from Iraq. Read Here
6. Yael Eckstein: Anti-Semitism worsening in US and Europe – Christians and Jews must unite to fight it
By Yael Eckstein
The horrors of the last century should have made anti-Semitism nearly unthinkable. Yet, I’m sad to say that even in the US there is now a need to be more vigilant. I am calling upon Christian friends of the Jewish community to intentionally stand in the gap. This is why we at The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews – the organization I head — are helping to provide increased security at synagogues around the world with the help of our Christian friends and law enforcement authorities. Read Here
7. Rabbis urge teaching of empathy to counteract religious hate
By Gary Fields
At a time when anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise worldwide, schools should take steps to teach empathy as an antidote to racism and religious hatred, rabbis attending the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries said. The religious leaders praised a pilot project in El Paso, Texas led by Rabbi Levi Greenberg, that requires students to pause each day to consider others. Children are given a small box shaped like Noah’s Ark. They collect money in it daily and give it to charities chosen by their classes. So far, the boxes have gone to 1,500 students of all ages, but plans are to reach “tens of thousands more.” Read Here
8. Jewish Actor Seth Rogen Talks About ‘Traumatic’ Experience Filming in Pittsburgh During Tree of Life Shooting
By Shiryn Ghermezian
Jewish comedic actor Seth Rogen opened up about filming his new movie “American Pickle” in Pittsburgh last year when the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue took place. Rogen, 37, said being in Pittsburgh at the time of the attack was “very strange and upsetting…and very traumatic and surreal, but there was some sense of pride of being in Pittsburgh at that time and making something that was so outwardly Jewishly themed.” Read Here
9. ‘Game of Thrones’ star cancels Belgium appearance over parade with Jewish caricatures
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
Carice van Houten, a Dutch actress known for her role in the hit series “Game of Thrones,” cancelled a television appearance in Belgium over the use of caricatures of Jews at a parade there. Van Houten, who portrayed Melisandre in the series, and her associate, Halina Reijn, who is married to a Jewish soccer player, both pulled out of the panel of the talk show “The Appointment” after learning it would host Christoph D’Haese, the mayor of Aalst, who has insisted on the legitimacy of caricaturing Jews at his city’s iconic annual carnival. Read Here
OVER 150,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 160 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SIGNED OUR PLEDGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
“Combat anti-Semitism (CAS) is a non-partisan, global grassroots movement of interfaith individuals and organizations united to combat anti-Semitism. CAS 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.”
