The Jewish Labour Movement has attacked the party’s claim that an increase in expulsions and suspensions over anti-Semitism points towards the party getting a grip on the issue. Labour announced it had expelled 45 members over anti-Semitism in 2019 – four times as many the previous two years. 296 members were suspended over anti-Semitism complaints in 2019 – compared with 98 suspended in 2018. But JLM said the party should not “judge its own processes” after “years of acting in bad faith and administering a broken system”. Read Here
Please forward to your family and friends and ask them to join the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement today!
THIS WEEK’S CONTENT
Watch the weekly cas Newsletter Summary below
TAKE ACTION
(1 Piece)
Learn More About S.Res.481 – A resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.
This week we ask you to take action by learning more about S.Res. 481, a resolution in the United States Senate commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp. The resolution was introduced by Senators Rosen, Lankford, Menendez, Cramer, and Cardin. The resolution would formally commemorate January 27, 2020, as the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp by Allied Forces; calls on all people of the United States to remember the 1,100,000 innocent victims murdered at Auschwitz; calls on the people of the United States to continue to work to end all genocide and persecution; and recommits to combatting all forms of anti-Semitism.
Bipartisan US Congressional Bills Commemorate 75th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation
By Algemeiner Staff
Bipartisan resolutions are being introduced in the US Congress to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz. Senator Jacky Rosen, who introduced the bill in the Senate said, “We will never forget the suffering inflicted upon these individuals or on those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. We honor this day, and the millions lost, by making a pledge that we will never allow an event like the Holocaust to occur again. ‘Never Again’ must mean ‘Never Again’ for anyone. From this dark past, we must band together to bring forth a brighter future, fighting anti-Semitism and hate in every form.” Read Here
UNITED STATES
(13 Articles)
1. Psychiatrist says Monsey stabber is incompetent to stand trial
By MARCY OSTER
A psychiatrist has found Monsey stabber Grafton Thomas to be incompetent to stand trial on attempted murder and federal hate-crimes charges. Defense attorney Michael Sussman has asked a federal judge to hold a competency evaluation for his client. Read Here
2. Tampa City Council member uses anti-Semitic slur
By Charlie Frago
In the midst of describing why he thought the city of Tampa was being charged too much for construction costs, City Council member Orlando Gudes put it this way “We’re getting Jewed.” Gudes, 52, a first-term council member and retired police officer, immediately retracted his words, saying he shouldn’t have said it. He later said he didn’t want to be misinterpreted as using a slur against Jewish people. Read Here
3. Anti-Semitic graffiti scrawled outside South Tampa coffee shop
By Evan Axelbank
The owner of Spaddy’s Coffee, a South Tampa coffee shop, says his staff found anti-Semitic graffiti painted on one of its signs outside of the business. Read Here
4. Orthodox couple asked to leave plane because of alleged body odor sues airline for discrimination
By MARCY OSTER
An Orthodox Jewish couple from Detroit who was asked to exit an American Airlines plane because the pilot said they had offensive body odor have filed a federal lawsuit against the airline. “The Adlers were seriously inconvenienced, treated as criminals, humiliated, insulted, defamed, missed appointments, incurred incidental expenses and suffered trauma and emotional distress,” according to the lawsuit. Read Here
5. Koch Institute Calls Anti-Semitism Charge ‘Absurd,’
By Eliana Johnson
A spokesman for the Charles Koch Institute said that accusations a new think tank supported by Koch is harboring anti-Semites are “absurd” and “grossly mischaracterize the positions” of the organization. But he declined to defend the statements of affiliated scholars questioning the loyalty of American Jews, suggesting that some of them comprise a “fifth column” inside the US, and promoting a conspiracy theory that Israel conducted a “false-flag” chemical attack on Syrian civilians. Read Here
6. B’nai Brith Urges MLB to End Advertising for Roger Waters
By AARON BANDLER
B’nai Brith International President Charles Kaufman and CEO Daniel Maraschin urged Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to stop advertising for Roger Waters’ upcoming North American tour. Kaufman and Maraschin wrote in a letter that Waters is openly anti-Semitic, pointing to his support for the BDS movement. “[Waters] has blamed ‘the Jewish Lobby’ for intimidating anti-Israel critics like him,” they wrote. Read Here
7. Man to plead guilty in plot to bomb Las Vegas synagogue, bar
By Katelyn Newberg
Conor Climo, a Las Vegas man, will plead guilty to a federal weapons charge stemming from allegations that he planned to bomb a synagogue. Climo, 24, will face about three years in prison, according to the agreement. He will avoid trial and have to undergo mental health treatment and electronic computer monitoring during supervised release after prison. Read Here
8. GoFundMe closes account for co-founder of BDS Al-Awda
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
The online payment service GoFundMe has terminated its account with Al-Awda, a Palestinian organization that seeks to return all refugees to Israel and promotes the BDS movement. According to screen shots of social-media posts from GoFundMe and Abbas Hamideh, the head of Al-Awda, the crowdsourcing platform closed the account in January. Read Here
9. Rep. Rashida Tlaib responds after ADL accuses her of spreading anti-Semitic ‘blood libel’
By Jessica Chasmar
After sharing a tweet deemed anti-Semitic by the Anti-Defamation League, Rep. Rashida Tlaib has said she would strive to hold herself to “the highest standards” when it comes to fake news. “In this era of inaccurate and manipulative news, I will also strive to hold myself to the highest standards for what I share,” the Michigan Democrat tweeted. “Know that I always seek truth as we uplift the oppressed and fight for equality, justice, and freedom.” Read Here
10. ADL launches online tracker to monitor anti-Semitism in the US
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The ADL has launched an online tracker to provide a compiled and updated list of anti-Semitic incidents in the country. The tracker allows users to have access to the most recent information available on acts of hate against Jews, including vandalism, harassment and assault. Users will also be able to filter incidents by geographic location and search with keywords. Read Here
11. Senators Seek Answers to Davos Press Credentials Given to anti-Semitic Broadcaster
By Jackson Richman
Senators are seeking answers regarding the Trump administration granting press credentials to anti-Semitic and conspiracy broadcaster Rick Wiles and his outlet TruNews to cover the World Economic Forum in Davos. In a letter to acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote that if Wiles and TruNews were actually granted press access to cover Davos, it “raise[s] serious questions about the White House credentialing process.” Read Here
12. Anti-Semitic graffiti found at synagogue’s playground in Flower Mound, TX
By Mark Smith
The Flower Mound Police Department is investigating anti-Semitic and profane words found on the playground of Congregation Kol Ami, a reform synagogue. The Rabbi told police that an unknown person(s) wrote the hateful words in pencil on the concrete border of the playground equipment. There was also a swastika written on the playground border, and all of the offensive remarks were quickly removed. Read Here
13. Anti-Semitic graffiti found at Warwick, NY skatepark
By Jane Anderson
Graffiti – including hateful words and symbols – was discovered at the Warwick skatepark, Mayor Michael Newhard said. Village resident Max Ellis said he took his 5-year-old son to the skatepark and while there, his son pointed out swastikas and offensive words and pictures – some of it scatological, others noting Hitler and Nazis – that were drawn with marker on the skate ramps. Read Here
ISRAEL AND THE REST OF THE WORLD
(4 Pieces)
1. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UK
Labour anti-Semitism figures reveal surge in expulsion and suspension of party members
By Simon Rocker
Swastikas are spray-painted on Hove beach hut
By Jody Doherty-Cove
A swastika has been daubed on a beach hut at Hove Beach. Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, said: “The person behind this knows exactly how much pain they are causing, not only to Jewish people but to our whole community. Read Here
British school to change logo referencing anti-Semitic blood libel
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A boarding school in Britain said it will modify its logo following complaints that it references an anti-Semitic blood libel. Jeremy Wyld, headmaster of St. Hugh’s School in Woodhall Spa, said that a red dot hanging over a brick wall in the logo would be removed. The logo represents a ball flying over a wall in a reference to the story of “Little Saint Hugh.” A 13th-century myth has the boy murdered by a Jewish family after he loses his ball over their wall and is invited to retrieve it. Read Here
Labour refuses to give leadership candidates its response to EHRC anti-Semitism probe
By Lee Harpin
Labour general secretary Jennie Formby has refused to make the party’s submission to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) available to candidates fighting to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader. A Labour source said: “The party agreed with the EHRC that all correspondence would be confidential and we will of course not be breaching this commitment. Read Here
Streatham terror attacker ‘said Jews did worse to Muslims than the Nazis did to them’
By Lee Harpin
Streatham terror attacker Sudesh Amman had previously claimed in a social media conversation that the Jews were doing “worse” to Muslims than had been done to them under the Nazis. After Amman was shot dead by police after grabbing a knife and attacking bystanders in south London, the Crown Prosecution Service released further detail of conversations the 20-year-old had engaged in on WhatsApp which led to his imprisonment in 2018. Read Here
Labour expels member who accused Rachel Riley of ‘prostituting’ Jewish heritage
By Lee Harpin
Labour has expelled an activist who accused Countdown presenter Rachel Riley of “prostituting” her Jewish heritage. Bob James, from Deeside, north Wales, was suspended last March over a series of tweets aimed at Ms. Riley, including the claim that her campaign against anti-Semitism in Jeremy Corbyn’s party was “poisoning the memory of your ancestors”. “You have prostituted your religion,” he wrote. Read Here
UK’s ex-parliament speaker says he suffered ‘subtle’ anti-Semitism in House
By STUART WINER and AGENCIES
The Jewish former speaker of Britain’s parliament, John Bercow, has spoken of anti-Semitic abuse he suffered during his career in the House of Commons, but said it came from members of his own Conservative Party rather than the rival Labour party. “I remember a [party] member saying: ‘If I had my way, Berkoff, people like you wouldn’t be allowed in this place,’” he recalled. Read Here
Councillor denies sharing claim George Michael’s career hurt by ‘Zionist’ wars
By MATHILDE FROT
A Labour Party county councillor in Durham accused of sharing a post suggesting George Michael’s music career suffered because of his stance on “illegal wars by the Zionists” has dismissed calls to resign. When reached for comment, the councillor councillor, Lyn Boyd said: “I can assure you that as an ardent anti racist I would never post anything that was anti-Semitic on Facebook.” Read Here
Tory MP Robert Halfon fears Palestinian Authority schools are teaching ‘honourable’ anti-Israel violence
By Lee Harpin
Conservative Robert Halfon has said he fears children in Palestinian Authority schools are being taught that it “is honourable to commit violent acts against Israelis.” Speaking in the House of Commons, the Jewish MP raised the issue of UK aid money paying for the salaries of teachers in PA schools, saying at least 31 of these were named after terrorists who killed innocent citizens. Read Here
2. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY
German authorities investigating neo-Nazi-labeled beer called ‘Reich brew’
BY Ben Feuerherd
German authorities are investigating a beer that’s packaged in neo-Nazi labeling and advertised as “Reich brew.” The beer was spotted by local politician Gotz Ulrich being sold at a store in the town of Bad Bibra. The beer went on sale earlier this month on the internet and was being promoted by Tommy Frenck, a neo-Nazi activist. The labels on the bottles feature the Nazi eagle holding an iron cross. Read Here
Outrage over German student: Holocaust is same as climate change
BY BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
A 18-year-old student running as a candidate for the German Left Party in the city of Hamburg compared the Holocaust with climate change, prompting outrage on social media and from his party. “The Nazis are also among the greatest climate sinners because their war of extermination and their tanks have produced huge amounts of CO2,” said Tom Radtke on his Twitter feed on the day the world commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz. Read Here
German EU lawmaker resigns over neo-Nazi past
By Elizabeth Schumacher
A German lawmaker in the European Parliament resigned from the body’s far-left bloc after reports surfaced that he had once been a member of the neo-Nazi National Democratic (NPD) party. Martin Buschmann, 49, a member of the fringe Animal Protection Party, admitted that he had joined the NPD “25 years ago” because he had “had fallen in love with a woman” who was a member. Read Here
Berlin: State Secretary Stirs Outrage with Tweet
By Imanuel Marcus
In Berlin, Sawsan Chebli, the State Secretary for Federal Affairs and Civic Participation, tweeted “Sure, what happened back then is sad. But when it comes to the return of hatred, the Jews are not entirely innocent. Just look at the settlement policy, the annexation …” I hear this very often, not from Muslims, Arabs or refugees, but from Germans without addendum.” Read Here
German lawyer sues Expedia for denying service to Israeli
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
A prominent German attorney has filed a lawsuit against online travel agency Expedia for denying service to an Israeli passenger who wanted to fly on a Kuwait Airways plane. Attorney Nathan Gelbart said “Kuwait Airways denies transportation of Israeli passengers because of a racist boycott law against the Jewish state, claiming it must not let Israeli passengers on board. The truth is: Kuwait Airways does not want to transport Israeli passengers. The anti-Semitic regime of Kuwait owns Kuwait Airways… and can change this situation with one phone call.” “Expedia.de shamefully supports this racist boycott by selling tickets for Kuwait Airways. Read Here
Memorial to Jews in Siersburg damaged
By Dietmar Schellin
Unknown perpetrators destroyed a memorial for Jewish citizens in Rehlingen-Siersburg. According to the police, young trees that make up the facility were cut and pulled out. Community officials noticed the destruction at the facility, which commemorates six Jewish citizens who had been deported to concentration camps. Read Here
3. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
Iranian youth sing to Khamenei: ‘Iran is invincible, Israel is facing its end’
By JNS
During a speech by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian students in the audience sang to him that “Israel is facing its end,” the Islamic Republic is invincible and “America’s power is waning.” Read Here
Palestinian Archbishop Condemned for ‘Blood Libel’ After Accusing Israel of Poisoning Him
By Algemeiner Staff
A Palestinian cleric who has vocally supported terrorist violence against Israelis, claims that he had been deliberately “poisoned” by the Israeli authorities. There is “no evidence” that Archbishop Atallah Hanna — who heads the Sebastia Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem — had been exposed to a “chemical substance.” Read Here
Muslim World League’s Historic Auschwitz Visit Draws Support From Saudi Arabia, Condemnation From Qatar
By B. Shanee
The visit to Auschwitz by a delegation from the Muslim World League, prompted pro-Qatar elements to protest against the MWL and its home base, Saudi Arabia. Condemnation of the visit appeared in the Qatari media, and the Qatar-backed International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) also condemned it, calling it an expression of unacceptable normalization with Israel. This year, the organization’s leader, Dr. Ahmad Al-Raissouni wrote that it is a right and an obligation to question the Holocaust. Read Here
4. IN DEPTH: OTHER WORLD NEWS
Ukrainian senior economist says Ukrainians let Jews ‘dominate’ them
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
Joseph Sytnik, a senior economist in Ukraine, said the country’s leaders secretly are serving Israel. Sytnik posted the essay on Facebook alongside photographs of Israel visits by Ukraine’s current president, Vlodymyr Zelensky, and previous prime minister, Vldymyr Groysman, who are Jewish, and former president Petro Proshenko, who is not. “At the Western Wall in Jerusalem they take off their Ukrainian masks for a moment, refuse their roles, and become real. Read Here
Ukrainian shop pulls costumes of Orthodox Jews in sidecurls
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A children’s costume designer in Ukraine pulled get-ups of Haredi Jews from its online catalog that were marketed using a racial slur. The costumes, featuring fake side curls and jewelry, were pulled offline by the Assol atelier in Lviv, which has a few hundred Jews in a population of about 720,000. The costumes had been sold for $15 and advertised using the word “zhyd.” In Russian, the word is a slur and is seen as such by leaders of Ukrainian Jewry. Read Here
Bag with Star of David, soap left outside Swedish Holocaust exhibit
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A bag emblazoned with a Star of David containing soap and anti-Semitic literature was left outside an exhibition in Sweden about the Holocaust. The bag was left on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, outside the city museum of Norrköping, situated 90 miles southwest of Stockholm. Read Here
Swedish-Jewish woman, 60, fights off 3 purse snatchers
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A Jewish woman about 60 years old was robbed of her Star of David pendant and insulted for being Jewish after fighting off three purse snatchers near an ATM in Sweden. After the woman fought off the attackers, one of them tore off the pendant and “mocked her religion.” The men fled and entered a parked car nearby. Police are treating the incident as a hate crime. Read Here
Portuguese cartoonist publishes anti-Semitic political cartoon
BY HANNAH HEPNER
Portuguese cartoon artist Vasco Gargalo has been criticized for creating an anti-Semitic political cartoon that was published in the weekly Portuguese news magazine Sábado. Gargalo’s cartoon depicts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wearing an armband like that of the Nazis but with a Star of David rather than a swastika on it. In the image, Netanyahu is pushing a coffin draped in a Palestinian Authority flag into an oven. Above the oven is the infamous gate of Auschwitz with the German phrase “Arbeit macht frei,” meaning “work sets you free.” Read Here
Portuguese politician apologizes for calling famous rescuer of Jews a ‘loan shark’
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A Portuguese politician apologized for calling a Holocaust-era rescuer of Jews their “loan shark.” Abel Matos Santos, the newly-elected vice president of the right-wing CDS People’s Party, made the apology after the Jewish Community of Lisbon protested his remarks following his appointment. In 2012, Matos Santos wrote on Facebook about Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a former Portuguese consul general who disobeyed his superiors and issued thousands of visas to Jews fleeing Nazi-occupied France. “[W]hy defend Sousa Mendes, who was a loan shark of Jews?” Matos Santos wrote. Read Here
Paris metro passengers stop Arab men from harassing Jewish man
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
Passengers aboard a metro train in Paris stopped four Arab men from pursuing a Jewish man they were harassing over his faith, the victim said. The four men asked a Jewish man wearing a yarmulke for a cigarette.. When he said he didn’t have one, one of the men told him: “You Jews have enough money to buy some.” Read Here
Rome: Swastika and anti-Semitic writings at school removed
By Sky tg24
A swastika and the writing “The Shoa must go on” ‘appeared on the walls of a school in Rome. Mayor Virginia Rays said “We have removed a swastika and anti-Semitic graffiti from the walls of a school in Trionfale, Rome. A shameful act in the Holocaust Memorial Day.” Investigations are underway to trace the perpetrators. Read Here
‘Die dirty Jew’ scrawled on woman’s home in Turin, Italy
By ANSA
The words “die dirty Jew” were found scrawled outside the home of a woman in Turin. The woman, of Jewish origin, is the daughter of a courier for the partisans in WWII. The woman, Maria, said “it is a terrible message, especially on Holocaust Memorial Day.” Read Here
A swastika in Piazza Inam in Marsala, Sicily on Holocaust Memorial Day
BY Tp24
A swastika was found painted in Piazza Inam in Marsala on Holocaust Memorial Day. The symbol praising Nazism continues to appear in the city periodically. Read Here
Anti-Semitic letters sent to 4 city councilors of San Daniele, Italy
By Udine Today
“After 75 years … the Jew is always Jewish …” This is the inscription delivered on a sheet to four city councilors in the Municipality of San Daniele del Friuli. Read Here
MONTREAL DOES NOT ADOPT IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTI-SEMITISM
BY Janice Arnold
A motion to have Montreal adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism was withdrawn by the official opposition leader after he rejected the mayor’s proposal that the matter be given further study. “It’s ludicrous, ridiculous,” said Lionel Perez, leader of Ensemble Montréal, of Mayor Valérie Plante’s suggestion that an internal committee might explore a made-in-Montreal definition of anti-Semitism. Read Here
BDS South Africa posts anti-Semitic cartoon in response to peace plan
By ILANIT CHERNICK
BDS SA posted a cartoon on its Facebook page in response to President Trump’s “Deal of the Century.” The cartoon depicts the plan as a piece of Swiss cheese with Israelis, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, drawn with rat-like facial features. Several also have noticeable rat tails as they “chomp” through the cheese, while other caricatures, wearing kippot, also have large noses. Read Here
China’s embassy in Israel apologizes for comparing coronavirus concerns to the Holocaust
By MARCY OSTER
A Chinese diplomat invoked the Holocaust in urging Israel to not close its doors to Chinese people seeking refuge from the deadly coronavirus. “This is reminiscent of World War II, the Holocaust, the darkest days of human history. Millions of Jews were murdered and many were banned from entering countries. Some countries opened their gates, one of them was China,” Dai Yuming said during a news conference at the Chinese Embassy. The Chinese embassy later apologized for the remarks. Read Here
Huge neon swastika is left hanging outside a house in central Darwin, Australia for WEEKS
By Louise Ayling
A neon swastika hanging outside a residential property in the Northern Territory has been removed after police intervened. The Nazi emblem was on show outside a Stuart Park property in Darwin for several weeks. However, mounting public pressure resulted in the homeowner taking it down. Read Here
ON CAMPUS
(9 Articles)
1. Swastika found scrawled on Worcester State University campus
By WCVB
Worcester State University said a swastika was found in a classroom on the third floor of the Learning Resource Center on campus. “It is reprehensible that this happened on a day that Worcester State conducted programming on anti-Semitism related to bias incidents that occurred last semester, and a day after the 75th anniversary to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz,” stated Barry M. Maloney, university president. Read Here
2. Police investigating potential anti-Semitic hate crime at Stanford University
By Emma Talley
A bench in the Stanford Arch was defaced with a deceased rat on top of what appeared to be a Star of David. Stanford University Department of Public Safety said the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Larson said it “contained several symbols, including a hexagram of possibly a Star of David, with a letter or symbol resembling an ‘A’ and what appears to be an upside-down ‘t’ or an inverted cross inside the star. A dead rodent had been placed on top of the graffiti.” Read Here
3. Duke University settles discrimination complaint on Gaza conference
By Nadia Bey and Leah Boyd
Duke has resolved a discrimination complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights in the aftermath of last year’s conference on Gaza where Palestinian rapper Tamer Nafar, was perceived to have used anti Semitic lyrics. The resolution agreement required Duke to issue a statement to “all University students, faculty, and staff” against discrimination, with an emphasis on anti-Semitism. Read Here
4. Student leaders condemn anti-Semitic vandalism on residence hall room door at GW
By Zach Schonfeld
Student Association leaders condemned anti-Semitic graffiti found on a student’s door decorations in Mitchell Hall. Zev Siegfeld, a freshman representative for GW College Republicans, alleged on Facebook that pictures of President Trump and Vice President Pence on his door had been vandalized with “genitalia,” a swastika and a mustache resembling that of Hitler. Read Here
5. Student Wearing ‘Anti-Semitic’ T-Shirt Opens Multicultural Week at Canada’s York University
By Algemeiner Staff
The Multicultural Week Parade at York University in Ontario was opened by an anti-Israel student wearing an exclusionary slogan on her shirt. The student who conducted the opening ceremony for the York Federation of Students event wore a shirt emblazoned with the phrase, “Anti-Zionist vibes only.” Read Here
6. Anti-semitism still alive and well at Drexel
By Brooklyn Fellner
Drexel University President John Fry sent an email to students that reported a swastika was drawn on a chair in a Drexel classroom. The symbol has since been removed and the Office of Equality and Diversity has been corresponding with students and faculty about the incident. The Drexel University Police Department is currently conducting an investigation. Read Here
7. Swastikas found in Newburyport, MA High School bathroom
By Heather Alterisio
Swastikas “and other vulgar drawings” were found scrawled inside a girls bathroom stall at Newburyport High School. Principal Andrew Wulf notified families of the incident after it was brought to his attention by students. The students found the graffiti inside a bathroom outside of the gym. Read Here
8. CATHOLIC SCHOOL VANDALISM INCLUDED ANTI-SEMITIC GRAFFITI in York, Ontario
By CJN Staff
The York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit is investigating an incident in which the St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Newmarket was vandalized with hate-motivated graffiti. Regional Police reported that the graffiti included anti-Semitic and anti-black messages and images. A second York Region school, Newmarket’s Sacred Heart Catholic High School, was later found to have also been defaced with several swastikas. Read Here
9. Swastika drawing handed to Arlington, VA middle school student, police investigating
By Kyley Schultz
School officials and Arlington County Police are investigating after a middle school student was handed a piece of paper with a swastika on it by a classmate. The incident happened at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, according to a letter sent home to parents by Principal Keisha Boggan. Read Here
ANALYSIS
(4 Pieces)
1. Anti-Semitism is an attack on freedom
By ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN, Former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary-General
Anti-Semitism is of course an attack on Jews, but it is also an attack on freedom. Across Europe, the burden of fighting anti-Semitism falls too heavily on Jews and Jewish groups themselves. FIRST, WE need a clear definition of anti-Semitism across Europe. The IHRA definition should become standard. Second, we must educate ourselves. Younger people see this dark page as a distant memory, while older people think they have played their part already. Third, we must mobilize the silent majority. The overwhelming majority of people strongly oppose anti-Semitism. Read Here
2. Holocaust education is not a miracle drug to immunize us against hatred
By EFRAIM ZUROFF
…While Holocaust education is undoubtedly an important component in the arsenal of tools that exist, it is not a miracle drug and cannot immunize all persons everywhere against hatred. Justice is a genuine deterrent to crime and had more of the perpetrators of Holocaust crimes been punished, it’s likely that anti-Semitic crimes would not be as prevalent as they are today. The same can be said as regards restitution. The more property returned to Jews, the stronger the warning against harming Jews – since in both cases the root of these crimes is anti-Semitism. Read Here
3. Myth of Jews killing Christian children persists, says new book on blood libel
By MATT LEBOVIC
For her new book, “Blood Libel: On The Trail of an Anti-Semitic Myth,” historian Magda Teter examined the blood libel from its roots in monastic tales to the pages of German Nazi broadsheets. According to Teter, “the myth of Jews killing Christian children persists in the European and now also, Middle Eastern imagination. Although the Catholic Church has come a long way in refuting the blood libel, the lethal lie remains a fixture of pockets in Europe. According to Teter, Catholic shrines tied to blood libels “persist unofficially” across Europe as magnets for Judeophobes. In recent years, social media platforms have come under fire for hosting anti-Semitic content, including groups and pages about the blood libel. Read Here
4. ILF leads first-of-its-kind international campaign against anti-Semitism
By HANNAH HEPNER
The International Legal Forum launched a new project to increase the use of the IHRA definition of anti-Semitsim and better understand how to use it under the law. Many countries across the globe have adopted the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism. However, this definition doesn’t come with clear instructions on how to sanction or enforce the use of anti-Semitic comments and actions. Because of this, the International Legal Forum has decided to link current legal groundwork in many countries with the IHRA’s definition of anti-Semitism to be used as an interpretive legal tool. Read Here
STUDIES AND STATISTICS
(6 Pieces)
1. 15.6% of Italians think the Holocaust never happened; in 2004, it was 2.7%
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN
More than 15% of Italians believe that the Holocaust never happened, a new poll has found. Even more alarming, in 2004, such a position was expressed only by 2.7% of the respondents. Holocaust denial was highest among center-left voters (23.5%) and supporters of the populist Five-Star Movement (18.8%). Asked about whether there is a real problem of anti-Semitism in Italy, 61% of respondents said yes. Read Here
2. Anti-Semitic violence is on the rise in America — but anti-Semitic attitudes are not, ADL poll says
By BEN Sales
Despite a rise in anti-Semitic violence, the proportion of Americans holding “intensely” anti-Semitic views remains small, according to a new ADL poll. The poll found that many Americans do believe in certain longstanding anti-Jewish stereotypes, even though few subscribed to most of the beliefs: 27% believe the Jews killed Jesus. 24% believe American Jews are more loyal to Israel than to the United States. 19% believe “Jews still talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.” 69% said they feel warm toward Jews, while only 5% said they felt cold. Read Here
3. Racial slurs, a stabbing and an attempted synagogue burning: Reported hate crimes rise in Chicago, particularly against Jews and LGBT people
By DAN HINKEL
The number of hate crimes reported in Chicago was higher than any year since 2011. Through mid-November, police had taken 87 hate crime reports. That’s nine more than in all of 2018. Hate crime reports against Jews continued a yearslong increase. Jews also were the target of one of the most potentially destructive acts in May, when a man hurled Molotov cocktails at a North Side synagogue in an arson attempt that failed. Read Here
4. Rise of far Right not the main source of anti-Semitism in Europe- Study
By LAHAV HARKOV
The rise of the far Right in Western Europe is not the primary source of anti-Semitism in the region in recent years, a study from the World Zionist Organization’s Institute for Zionist Strategies found. Spikes in anti-Semitism in France mostly coincided with Israeli military operations. For example, 29% of violent anti-Semitic incidents in 2009 happened in January, during Operation Cast Lead, and 24% of them in 2014 were in July, during Operation Protective Edge. The report found that increases in anti-Semitic violence were more likely to be motivated by anti-Israel sentiment or radical Islam than far-right views in France over the last decade. Read Here
5. Anti-Semitic incidents fall to 15-year low in South Africa
By Marcy Oster
Anti-Semitic incidents fell to a 15-year low in South Africa, the country’s Jewish umbrella group said. There were 36 recorded incidents of anti-Semitism in 2019, compared with 62 the previous year, according to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies. Only one of the incidents involved physical assault, and there were no cases of damage and desecration to Jewish property. Some 75,000 Jews live in South Africa. Read Here
6. Rather than drifting away, over two-thirds of US Jews feel tie to Israel — poll
By STUART WINER
US Jews see themselves as overwhelmingly pro-Israel. The results appeared to buck claims that US Jews were drifting away from Israel. Eight out of ten respondents identified as “pro-Israel” and 67% said they were emotionally “attached” or “very attached” to the Jewish state, the Ruderman Family Foundation survey found. Over 70% of US Jews feel their personal relationship with Israel has remained the same or is stronger than five years ago. Read Here
FEATURED PARTNER
Combat Anti-Semitism is proud to be a partner of Vibe Israel, a nonprofit organization inspiring young people about Israel. Learn more about their important work in the video below.
1. World famous food bloggers and Instagrammers tour Israel
By ILANIT CHERNICK
“Israeli food brings something new and exciting to the table,” says Vibe Israel CEO Joanna Landau. “Sababa is my favorite word,” yelled one of Instagram’s top food bloggers Diala Canelo as she stood in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market. Together with several top Instagram foodies, Canelo is on an Israeli food tour with Vibe Israel, a not-for-profit organization that focuses on energizing and inspiring the next generation about Israel. Landau said that “food is a wonderful way to showcase what Israel has to offer. “It’s photogenic, relatable and as the food influencers we are currently hosting can tell you, huge on social media.” Landau emphasized that Vibe Israel believes that for the country’s image “to improve dramatically, the Israeli public and Israel’s stakeholders around the world need to take an active part in telling its story. Read Here
Since 2011, Vibe Israel has been dramatically transforming global perceptions of Israel using Country Branding. This methodology, borrowed from corporate marketing, is implemented by governments and private sector leadership the world over to strengthen their country’s economy and boost national pride. In Vibe Israel’s unique case, we are also using Israel Country Branding to strengthen the connection between the next-gen Jewish Diaspora and Israel. We are highlighting what Israel has to offer, because we believe Israel is a great “product” that deserves great marketing.
Government & Policy Update
This section highlights the work of government officials around the world that are combating anti-Semitism in their official capacities.
(8 Pieces)
1. US attorney general says there will be ‘zero tolerance’ on anti-Semitism
By MICHAEL BALSAMO
US Attorney General William Barr ordered federal prosecutors across the US to step up their efforts to combat anti-Semitic hate crimes as he met with Jewish leaders in Brooklyn. Barr directed US attorneys’ offices to ensure they have a specific point of contact to handle outreach to the Jewish community and someone responsible for reporting hate crimes. He said he was also working with FBI Director Christopher Wray to create a national plan to combat anti-Semitic violence. Read Here
2. Texas Governor Abbott Announces New Anti-Antisemitism Commission on Holocaust Remembrance Day
By Chris Fox
Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks at the American Jewish Committee’s International Day of Commemoration at the Texas State Capitol. Abbott paid tribute to the innocent lives lost during the Holocaust and spoke out against acts of anti-Semitism around the world, and announced his intention to establish a commission to identify and combat anti-Semitism in Texas. Read Here
3. URUGUAY ADOPTS IHRA DEFINITION OF ANTI-SEMITISM
By Enlace Judío
Uruguay’s accession to the working definition of the International Alliance for the Holocaust Remembrance (IHRA) was announced by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of the international commemoration of the Holocaust. The agency says that with a measure like this, the country maintains its fight against all types of discrimination, highlighting the fight “against any kind of hostility and prejudice towards the Jewish community.” Read Here
4. Spanish Member of the European Parliament asks European Commission for measures to combat growing anti-Semitism
By YOSSI LEMPKOWICZ
A Spanish Member of the European Parliament has asked the European Commission what measures they are planning to put in place in order to fight growing anti-Semitism in Europe. ‘’Given the wave of anti-Semitic attacks that´s been taking place in the EU, it seems Europe is going backwards in time and that feelings of hatred and intolerance we thought buried are re-emerging,’’ stated Antonio López-Istúriz, of the European People’s Party group, in his question to the Commission. Read Here
5. Reuven Rivlin takes lead role against Europe’s Holocaust revisionism
By SAM SOKOL
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin assailed Polish complicity in the murder of European Jews during the Holocaust at a joint appearance with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Krakow. Rivlin said that both Jews and Poles were victims during World War II. He then launched into a subtle rebuke of recent efforts to rewrite Poland’s wartime history. “Poland, the place where the Jewish people flourished for centuries, became its biggest cemetery,” Rivlin said. “We remember that during the war, the Polish people fought with courage and strength against Nazi Germany. But we also remember that many Poles stood by and even assisted in the murder of Jews.” Read Here
6. In Berlin, Israeli President Rivlin addresses in Hebrew the Bundestag at a special sitting in memory of the victims of the Holocaust
By YOSSI LEMPKOWICZ
For the first time in 10 years, an Israeli leader joined German lawmakers in the Bundestag, in marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz, amid rising anti-Semitism in Germany. Rivlin declared: “I stand here and say that Germany and Israel are partners. Together we stand up for our values: against anti-Semitism and xenophobia and against the destruction that occurred 75 years ago.’’ He stressed that Europe today ‘’is again pursued by the ghosts of the past.’’ ‘’Conceptions of superiority, nationalist purity, xenophobia, ugly and blatant anti-Semitism drift across Europe. From the right to the hard left, anti-Semitism permeates the heart of European leadership.” Read Here
7. Finland’s president condemns anti-Semitic acts in country
By Elena Pavlovska
Finland’s president Sauli Niinisto condemned the two anti-Semitic incidents in his country on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The synagogue in Turku, which is one of the only two synagogues in Finland, was targeted by vandals. The same day, the neo-Nazi group Towards Freedom burned the Israeli flag in the Finnish city Tampere during a demonstration. Niinisto announced that judicial proceedings have been initiated. Read Here
8. Uganda ‘Studying’ Opening Embassy in Jerusalem, Museveni Tells Netanyahu
By Reuters and Algemeiner Staff
Uganda is “studying” the possibility of opening an embassy in Jerusalem, President Yoweri Museveni said, during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Such a move would be seen internationally as a statement of support for Israel‘s claim for the city of Jerusalem to be its capital. Read Here
HUMANITY
(9 Pieces)
1. Jewish group launches Arabic-language video series about Judaism
By MARCY OSTER
The American Jewish Committee launched a video series to introduce Arabic-speakers to Judaism. Titled “An al-Yahud” (“About the Jews”), the series will feature videos on Jewish life, Jewish history and current affairs. The first video is an animated short about Jewish history. A second video will be released in February. The series “will enable us to expand the conversation by telling the Jewish story to the Arab world from a Jewish perspective, which many viewers may never have heard before,” AJC CEO David Harris said. Read Here
2. Holocaust survivor moves European Parliament to tears with speech
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN
Italian Auschwitz survivor and Senator for Life Liliana Segre received a standing ovation for her address to the European Parliament, in a ceremony marking International Holocaust Memorial Day. In a powerful speech that moved many MEPs to tears, Segre recounted her experience as a young girl facing the evils of humanity, while also launching a mighty message of love for life and to strive against racism and anti-Semitism. Read Here
3. Leading French-Algerian Artist Condemns BDS Movement Amid Row Over Venice Biennale Show
By Algemeiner Staff
A prominent French-Algerian artist strongly distanced herself from the movement to boycott Israel, defusing a brewing row over the decision to have her represent France at the prestigious Venice Biennale art show. The Paris-born Zineb Sedira said that allegations that she was tied to the so-called BDS campaign targeting Israel were “slanderous and unfounded.” “I also firmly condemn any boycott, and I cannot be associated with or stand in solidarity with BDS. I oppose BDS and any global boycott that would have the counterproductive effect of paralyzing women and men who want to live in peace.” Read Here
4. Natalie Portman Pays Homage to Great-Grandparents Who Died in Holocaust, Quotes Anne Frank
By Shiryn Ghermezian
Jewish actress Natalie Portman dedicated an Instagram post to her great-grandparents who were murdered by the Nazis, in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. “Today I honor my great-grandparents, Leiser and Leah Hershlag, who perished along with millions of others at the hands of the Nazis,” the 38-year-old posted alongside a photo of her late relatives. She then quoted Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim Anne Frank. Read Here
5. Shomrim New York provides free emergency phones to synagogues
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
In the wake of the stabbing attack in Monsey, New York, and a wave of anti-Semitic incidents across America, Shomrim Borough Park has handed out free emergency telephones to synagogues to better protect them from possible attacks. The phone would allow people to directly contact emergency services, including 911, the local Shomrim, or the Hatzalah ambulance service without even dialing. Read Here
6. An Israeli Startup Sells Panic Buttons to U.S. Synagogues
By Yaakov Benmeleh
Yoni Sherizen’s startup has grown from two employees to seven in the past three years, he’s close to sealing his biggest deal to date, and investors value the business at $13 million. Yet every time he signs up a customer, he worries about the tragic cost of success. His company, Gabriel—named after the horn-blowing archangel—helps protect places such as community centers and synagogues from attackers. So far, all of Gabriel’s customers are Jewish groups in Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey concerned about anti-Semitic violence. Read Here
7. Malvern, UK councillors vote to adopt official anti-semitism definition
By Tom Banner
Councillors in Malvern, England voted unanimously to adopt a motion on a uniform definition of anti-semitism, as proposed by the government. The motion, put forward by leader of Malvern Hills District Council Sarah Rouse, asked councillors to adopt the non legally-binding IHRA working definition. Local authorities are required to adopt the definition as part of a government programme to combat anti-semitism at all levels of society. Read Here
8. Doncaster, UK Council to adopt International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism
By George Torr
The town council of Doncaster, England will be adopting a working definition of anti-Semitism as proposed by an organization founded to promote the education of the Holocaust in World War Two. Deputy mayor Coun Glyn Jones said the council will be taking on The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. Read Here
9. Calderdale, UK Council adopts anti-Semitism and Islamophobia definitions
By John Greenwood
Councillors in Calderdale, England have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism and the All-Party Parliamentary Group definition of Islamphobia. Council Leader Coun Tim Swift told the full meeting of Calderdale Council that adopting the definitions as recommended by Cabinet would form part of the council’s efforts to combat hate crime. Read Here
OVER 150,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 180 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.”
