New Labour MP Sam Tarry is facing mounting criticism for not publicly condemning a motion a party branch in his constituency passed that attacked the Board of Deputies for supposedly being pro-Tory. The Cranbrook and Valentines party branch passed the motion that dismissed the Board’s 10 pledges to heal Labour’s rift with the Jewish community. The motion said the Board had been “consistent in its support for the Conservative Party” by “fulsomely welcoming the election of Boris Johnson” and complained the pledges did not address “all forms of racism”. Read Here
Please forward to your family and friends and ask them to join the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement today!
THIS WEEK’S CONTENT
TAKE ACTION
(1 Piece)
Sign The Petition to List the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization within the Next 30 Days in Canada
By B’Nai Brith Canada
Nineteen months have elapsed since the Canada House of Commons passed a bipartisan motion calling on the government to “immediately” list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in its entirety, as a terrorist organization. Nevertheless, the government has not yet followed through on this commitment. It makes little sense to ban only the “military wing” of any terrorist organization, whether Hezbollah or the IRGC. The principal objective of the IRGC, tasked with upholding the brutal Islamist dictatorship and supporting its terror proxies such as Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is to fuel and fund terrorism. It serves as a constant threat to the safety and security of civilians in the region, to Israel, and to Canada and Canadian interests. Sign the petition here
Special Feature
(1 Piece)
1. Press Release: CAS COMMENDS SOUTH DAKOTA EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING ISRAEL BOYCOTTS
By CAS
The Combat Anti-Semitism (CAS) Movement commends and supports South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for signing an executive order prohibiting state offices from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. South Dakota became the 28th state to enact a measure to combat boycotts of Israel. With Israel-related anti-Semitism on the rise across the world, the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement believes this step will go far in ensuring that the anti-Semitic BDS movement does not gain traction. We call upon the 22 states that have not passed similar measures to do so without delay.
UNITED STATES
(20 Articles)
1. Calabasas resident accused of posting pro-Nazi symbols, anti-Semitic signs on condo balcony
By Rachel Brown and ABC7.com
An investigation is underway in Calabasas where several disturbing and offensive signs were posted on the balcony of a condo. Hate-filled messages were plastered across a door, which is visible from the street. The signs include Nazi symbols and anti-Semitic speech and were reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Read Here
2. Man Uses MTA Posters to Make Swastika Inside Busy Manhattan Subway Station
By NBC 4 New York
The NYPD is looking for a man that took MTA fliers to display a large swastika at a busy Manhattan subway station. Surveillance video shows the man taking several service advisory papers along the platform at the 96th Street station on the Upper West Side. He is seen on the video using tape to stick them on a wall right next to an elevator at the station and in the shape of a swastika big enough for anyone nearby to see. Read Here
3. Homeless man accused of scrawling a swastika on Manhattan subway poster
By ROCCO PARASCANDOLA and JOHN ANNESE
A homeless man scrawled a swastika on a downtown Manhattan subway station poster, telling cops he didn’t think it was illegal. Gregory Torto, 32, was using a Sharpie to black out people’s eyes and teeth on a poster at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall subway station at Centre and Chambers Sts. He also drew a swastika on the forehead of one person pictured on the poster. Read Here
4. Jewish Girl Verbally Attacked on Subway Because “You Vote Trump”
By Yochanan Donn
A 19-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl was the victim of an anti-Semitic verbal attack on the NY Subway when 3 black youths hurled obscenities at her and threatened to harm her; “You Jews vote for Trump.” Read Here
5. Man arrested in harassment of Jewish couple in Midtown hate crime
By Tina Moore and Ruth Weissmann
A man was arrested for yelling and cursing at a Jewish couple in Manhattan —the latest in a troubling surge of anti-Semitic hate crimes. Vernon Stevens, 55, was walking on 7th Avenue near W. 47th Street in Midtown when he suddenly began yelling at the pair, police said. “F***ing Jews!” he allegedly screamed at the pair, according to sources. Stevens, who had at least five prior arrests, was charged with aggravated harassment and a hate crime, police said. Read Here
6. NJ pizzeria fires manager accused of anti-Semitic rant toward worker
By Yaron Steinbuch
The manager of a New Jersey pizzeria who was accused of going on an anti-Semitic tirade when a delivery driver asked to take a night off on a Jewish holiday has been fired — and the family that owns the eatery has apologized to the teen. Francesco Scotto Di Rinaldi, the manager of Maurizio’s Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante in Eatontown, was axed for the verbal attack. Read Here
7. Allegations of Holocaust denial at Plantation barbershop leads to social media backlash
By Glenna Milberg
Alleged comments of Holocaust denial inside a South Florida barbershop has led to outrage on social media. “The conversation literally went from football to this, Holocaust denial,” Ivan Reich said. Reich said he was in mid-haircut when the barbershop discussion suddenly changed. “I’ve had family, I’ve had people very close to me, family, who were both survivors and who were killed, and he looks at me in a stone-cold stare and says, ‘Too bad for you.’” Read Here
8. Alleged Monsey stabber pleads not guilty to federal hate crimes charges
By MARCY OSTER
The man accused of a stabbing attack at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes charges. Grafton Thomas, 37, appeared in federal court in White Plains. A federal grand jury ordered his indictment on hate crimes charges for the attack. He faces a total of 10 federal charges. Read Here
9. Vandal paints a swastika on stairs of Nebraska synagogue, then takes a picture of his work
By MARCY OSTER
A man sprayed a swastika and racial epithets on the stairs and front door of a synagogue in Lincoln, Nebraska, then took a picture of his vandalism. Surveillance video shows the vandal painting the door and steps before stepping back and taking a photo of his work. Read Here
10. NC judge’s son pleads guilty to anti-Semitic threats against a Cary synagogue
By JOSH SHAFFER
William Warden, son of a state Court of Appeals judge, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from 2018 threats against a Cary synagogue. Warden is the son of Judge Lucy Inman, who is running for the state Supreme Court. In a 2018 statement, the family attributed Warden’s actions to longstanding mental illness, which made him vulnerable to being exploited by white supremacists online. Read Here
11. FBI Busts Members of Neo-Nazi Group ‘The Base’ Days Before Richmond Gun Rally
By Will Sommer
The FBI arrested three members of a neo-Nazi group called “The Base”, days ahead of a pro-gun rally in Richmond that is attracting fringe figures and prompted a state of emergency declaration. The three suspects—Brian Mark Lemley, William Garfield Bilbrough, and Canadian fugitive Patrik Mathews—face a variety of gun charges. The Base, which is derived from the English translation of the name of radical Islamic terrorist group al Qaeda, is a white supremacist paramilitary group committed to race war. Read Here
12. Neo-Nazi with Jordanian roots charged with vandalizing U.S. synagogue
By Yulia Karra
A man of Jordanian descent has been charged in Wisconsin with vandalizing a synagogue as part of his activity with a white supremacist group called The Base. Yousef O. Barasneh, 22, was charged with violating citizens’ rights to property. Barasneh spray-painted swastikas and other anti-Semitic symbols and slogans on Beth Israel Sinai Congregation in the city of Racine sometime between September 15 and 23 of last year. Read Here
13. 3 more linked to neo-Nazi group, arrested ahead of Virginia gun rally
By MICHAEL BALSAMO AND JEFF MARTIN
Three men linked to a violent white supremacist group known as The Base were charged with conspiring to kill members of a militant anti-fascist group, police in Georgia announced, a day after three other members were arrested on federal charges in Maryland and Delaware. The Base, a collective of hardcore neo-Nazis that operate as a paramilitary organization, has proclaimed war against minority communities. In encrypted chat rooms, members of The Base have discussed committing acts of violence against blacks and Jews. Read Here
14. Anti-Semitic graffiti found on multiple businesses in Livingston County
By Kayla Daugherty and Jennifer Timar
At least three businesses and a real estate sign were vandalized in Livingston County, Michigan. A swastika was painted in orange spray paint on a real estate sign in Genoa Township. Caitlin Monroe, a café supervisor at Uptown Coffeehouse, said the phrase “Jews did 911” was written in permanent ink on the outside of the downtown business. Read Here
15. Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found in West Hollywood
By WEHOville Staff
For the third time in recent weeks, what appear to be anti-Semitic images have been discovered on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. The images were discovered painted on the sidewalk southwest corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Kings Road. Read Here
16. Anti-Semitic sign hung at Dartmouth, MA bagel shop
By Ellie Romano
Dartmouth Police Detectives are investigating an incident of anti-Semitism after an offensive sign was found outside a local bagel shop. The incident happened at New York Bagel Co. located along State Route 6. “As I was pulling into the parking lot I saw something that kind of looked like a sign, but I didn’t know what was going on,” said owner Steven Ginsberg. When he looked closer, he saw a sign hanging from a light post that read “A Jew Park.” Read Here
17. Twitter apologises for letting ads target neo-Nazis and bigots
By Joe Tidy
Twitter has apologised for allowing adverts to be micro-targeted at certain users such as neo-Nazis, homophobes and other hate groups. Twitter allows ads to be directed at users who have posted about or searched for specific topics. But the firm has now said it is sorry for failing to exclude discriminatory terms. Read Here
18. After Outcry, NowThis Removes Video of Student Claiming Anne Frank ‘Didn’t Die in a Concentration Camp’
By Algemeiner Staff
The progressive news outlet NowThis removed a segment of a video it had posted online in which a George Washington University student claimed Anne Frank “didn’t die in a concentration camp.” The comment was made by senior Becca Lewis, during a group discussion about President Trump’s executive order on combating anti-Semitism on college campuses. She said, “What’s going to happen if there’s another Holocaust? Well, we’re seeing what’s happening. We’re seeing people die at the border for lack of medical care. That’s how Anne Frank died. She didn’t die in a concentration camp, she died from typhus.” Read Here
19. Twitter suspends and later reinstates Louis Farrakhan’s account
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Twitter accidentally suspended the account of Louis Farrakhan, the infamous head of the Nation of Islam. Following the brief suspension, Farrakhan’s Twitter timeline disappeared. Twitter later reinstated Farrakhan’s account, saying that the initial suspension was an error. Other social media sites have blocked or removed Farrakhan’s profiles before, including Facebook in May 2019, due to anti-Semitic and homophobic rhetoric. Read Here
20. Banner held at Women’s March in Chicago featured PFLP terrorist, hijacker
BY JACKSON RICHMAN
A group participating in the Women’s March in Chicago held a banner featuring Leila Khaled, a member of the U.S.-designated terrorist group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) who was involved in the hijacking in 1969 of TWA Flight 840 from Rome to Tel Aviv, as well as the hijacking the following year of El Al Flight 219 from Amsterdam to New York City. A banner held by members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation included a picture of her and the words: “A woman’s place is in the struggle! Fight imperialism!” 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 MP faces mounting criticism after not condemning motion attacking Board of Deputies
By Lee Harpin
Jess Phillips criticises online activist over ‘anti-Semitic’ tweet
By MATHILDE FROT
Labour leadership contender Jess Phillips has accused an activist running a popular Twitter account of “anti-Semitism” in a tweet made about the Board of Deputies. “This is anti-Semitism, holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of Israel. It has no place in Labour. Rachael Cousins should be suspended immediately.” Read Here
Charity suspends MP’s aide after Israel ‘Holocaust conditions’ tweet
By MATHILDE FROT
A Birmingham education charity Jess Phillips’s office manager was involved with has suspended her from her trustee duties over alleged anti-Semitic tweets. The St. Paul’s Community Development Trust in Balsall Heath announced its decision in the wake of the allegations. Salma Hamid became a trustee and chair of the organisation’s trustee board last October. Among the posts unearthed was a tweet accusing Israel of “inflicting Holocaust conditions on Palestinians.” Read Here
At first debate, UK Labour leadership rivals vow to take on anti-Semitism
By DMITRY ZAKS
The five hopefuls to lead the post-election revival of Britain’s battered Labour Party condemned its struggles with anti-Semitism and vowed to expose the frailties of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Their first joint appearance before Labour members comes with the 120-year-old party reeling from its worst election defeat since 1935. The candidates — one man and four women — attempted to launch their leadership bids by confronting anti-Semitism scandals that hounded the party during Corbyn’s rule. Read Here
Fury over reported Corbyn nomination of top aide Karie Murphy for peerage
By Simon Rocker
The Jewish Labour Movement has reacted with fury over Jeremy Corbyn’s nomination of his chief of staff Karie Murphy for a peerage. Hers was one of eight names the outgoing Labour leader has put forward for the honour. JLM said her nomination was “deeply inappropriate and must be rescinded immediately” as the Equality and Human Rights Commission was still investigating Labour’s handling of anti-Semitism. Among complaints made against the party was that staff in the leader’s office interfered with disciplinary inquiries. Read Here
Ofcom rejects all complaints about BBC Panorama on anti-Semitism whistle-blowers
By JACK MENDEL
Ofcom has rejected all complaints made about the BBC’s Panorama documentary about Labour’s anti-Semitism whistle-blowers. The watchdog confirmed it had received 28 objections, which had gone through the BBC’s complaints process, which claimed the programme was factually inaccurate or biased against Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party. Read Here
Labour MP Zarah Sultana told student that ‘privilege’ allowed them to argue for Middle East peace
By Lee Harpin
Newly elected Labour MP Zarah Sultana told a Jewish student it was “privilege” that allowed them to argue for a peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. In a series of social media posts she has since deleted, the Coventry South MP also said students who “go to Zionist conferences and trips should be ashamed of themselves” because they were advocating “racist ideology.” Ms Sultana also wrote that “those who lobby for Israel” would “in the near future feel the same shame and regret as South African Apartheid supporters.” Read Here
Board of Deputies calls for action against new MPs accused of anti-Semitism
By JC Reporter
The Board of Deputies has urged political parties to take action against newly-elected MPs who have been accused of making anti-Jewish comments. A number of MPs accused of anti-Semitism have been returned to Parliament, including a pair of Conservatives in seats previously held by Labour. “We would ask all the political parties in question to treat these cases with the utmost seriousness, and use the full range of disciplinary measures as appropriate, from training on anti-Semitism and the pernicious use of anti-Semitic tropes up to and including suspension of the whip.” Read Here
Teen fined £100 for setting Jewish man’s hair on fire
By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
A London teenager who set a Jewish man’s hair on fire and threatened to beat him up has been sentenced to a four-month youth rehabilitation order, and was told to write the victim a letter of apology and pay him £100 in compensation. The teen was 14 when he boarded the top deck of a bus London with a friend on the evening of March 26, 2018 and asked the man “Are you Jewish? You can’t be Jewish because you don’t have horns. Do Jews keep money under their caps?” Read Here
2. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY
Activists ‘Boycotting Not Only Israel, but Jews in Germany,’ Munich City Councillor Charges in Escalating Row Over Peace Conference Disinvite
BY Ben Cohen
Anti-war activists in Germany were at the center of new allegations of anti-Semitism, as a row over the cancellation of an invitation to a Jewish member of the Munich City Council to address an annual peace conference escalated. Dieter Reiter, the mayor of Munich, said the decision by organizers of the International Munich Peace Conference to nix a speaking invitation to Marian Offman — the city council’s sole Jewish member — was insulting. Read Here
Anti-Semitic ‘Jew pig’ sculpture at center of German court battle
BY GEIR MOULSON and KERSTIN SOPKE
High on the wall of a German church where Martin Luther once preached, an ugly remnant of centuries of anti-Semitism is now at the center of a court battle. The so-called “Judensau,” or “Jew pig,” sculpture on the Town Church in Wittenberg dates back to around 1300. A court in the city of Naumburg will consider a Jewish man’s bid to make the parish take it down. Read Here
Germany’s Left Party blocks ban on burning of Israeli flag
By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL
The largely anti-Israel party Die Linke (The Left) has torpedoed a bill in the Berlin senate, which would have banned the burning of the Israeli flag in Germany’s capital city. The Left Party, a part of the ruling governing coalition in the city-state of Berlin, along with the Social Democratic Party and Green Party, blocked the pro-Israel bill. Read Here
Alleged outbreak of anti-Semitism in Angela Merkel’s chancellery
By Benjamin Weinthal
A Jewish employee in the German Federal Chancellery filed a complaint with the federal commissioner responsible for combating anti-Semitism after he claimed he was subjected to Jew-hatred by his coworkers. Starting in 2019, employees in the chancellery called the Jewish man, who is originally from Lebanon, a “Jewish pig” and “Kanake” – a derogatory term targeting people from the Middle East. The unnamed Jewish man worked in the drivers department for vehicles for the chancellery. Read Here
3. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
Iranian video depicts killing of Trump, Netanyahu in assault on White House
By TOI Staff
A video aired by Iran’s Fars news agency shows a dramatization of an Iranian revenge attack on the White House, and depicts the deaths of US President Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the hands of an Iranian hit squad. Read Here
Mauritanian official forced to resign after anti-Semitic tweet
By AFP
A Mauritanian foreign affairs ministry official has resigned after calling a French anti-slavery activist a “Jew” in an anti-Semitic tweet. The activist, Jean-Marc Pelenc from the NGO IRA France Mauritania, was turned away from the capital Nouakchott in an incident the government later said was an error. But Mariem Aouffa, a director in Mauritania’s foreign affairs ministry, tweeted her support for the move. Aouffa called Pelenc “a Jew from [French satirical magazine] Charlie Hebdo, an enemy of the Muslim religion.” Read Here
Erdoğan’s Chief Advisor Presents Vision – Reflected In Turkey’s Policy – Of A United Islamic Superpower
By MEMRI
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s chief advisor, retired Turkish general Adnan Tanrıverdi, has been articulating a vision of a unified Islamic superpower. Tanrıverdi called for the coordination of the joint manufacturing of weapons and military equipment among Islamic countries, saying: “States cannot stand tall against the countries whose weapons they use.” He has also said that “the Islamic world should prepare an army for Palestine from outside Palestine.” Read Here
Muslims chant about killing Jews outside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
Hundreds of Muslims chanted about killing Jews outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, prompting police to disperse the crowd. The chants began as worshippers were leaving the mosque following prayers atop the Temple Mount. In footage from the march, many men can be heard shouting in Arabic, “Jews, remember Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning.” Read Here
Model says Lebanese designer dropped her from Paris show because she’s Israeli
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
An Israeli fashion model said that she was denied a job offer from a Lebanon-born French designer because of her nationality. Arbel Kynan said that Maison Rabih Kayrouz cancelled a gig that had been lined up for her at Paris Fashion Week in Paris. She would have modeled the designer’s clothes in the haute couture part of the show. Kynan said her agent received an email that her invitation was canceled and that it informed her that the reason was because she is Israeli. Read Here
PA daily calls for murder to stop Holocaust memorial event
By JNS
As over 40 world leaders prepare to gather in Jerusalem to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz at a special event at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, an official Palestinian Authority daily published an op-ed over calling for murder to cancel the international gathering. In a piece published in the P.A.-controlled Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, regular columnist Yahya Rabah warned that “it can be assumed that [the Palestinians] will resist the ceremony being held in Jerusalem itself, as Jerusalem is theirs,” adding, “One shot will disrupt the ceremony and one dead body will cancel the ceremony.” Read Here
‘No to Israeli gas! No to the gas of the Jews!’
By MEMRI
In a parliamentary address that aired on Jordanian television, MP Ghazi al-Hawamleh said the Jordanian people oppose the country’s “shameful and unjust” gas deal with Israel. “The main issue today, is the shameful and unjust gas deal [with Israel]—whether the gas is stolen or not,” said the Jordanian lawmaker. “How can we get the message through? No to the Israeli gas! No to the gas of the Jews!” Read Here
Apple’s Siri says Israeli president is ‘President of the Zionist occupation state’
By i24News
Apple users from around the world were surprised to learn that Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is the “President of the Zionist occupation state,” according to the giant tech’s vastly popular Siri app. After the story broke on social media, it was understood that Rivlin’s English Wikipedia page was hacked which caused the unpleasant malfunction. Read Here
This Jordanian Singer Doesn’t Regret Israel Gig, Despite BDS Backlash
By Ofir Hovav
An unusual guest performed last month during the Christmas Market festival in the Israeli Arab town of Kafr Yasif: Jordanian singer Aziz Maraka. An audience of about 5,000 people gathered in the Galilee town to hear Maraka. “Until the last moment it wasn’t clear to me whether the show would take place. I was under crazy pressure.” Maraka was excited to meet his local Arab fans but, as expected, his performance made waves and there was “a tough response from the BDS.” Indeed, right after the show there were calls to boycott the singer because of his “support for the occupation.” Read Here
4. IN DEPTH: OTHER WORLD NEWS
Box resembling fake homemade bomb placed outside Amsterdam kosher eatery
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A box resembling a homemade bomb was left outside a Dutch kosher restaurant where several anti-Semitic attacks have occurred. The cardboard box, which contained no explosives and bears the logo of the Heineken beer brand, was found outside the HaCarmel restaurant in Amsterdam. It had masking tape, fastening wires and a black electric trigger switch attached to its top. The police bomb disposal unit rushed to the scene to examine the device. Read Here
Secret Hitler board game removed from 3 Montreal stores
By MARCY OSTER
A board game called Secret Hitler was removed from the shelves of three stores in Montreal. Branches of the Tour de Jeux chain removed the game following a call from B’nai Brith Canada. Harvey Levine, B’nai Brith’s regional director in Quebec, told the Montreal Gazette that his office had received complaints from members of Montreal’s Jewish community about the game, which is about the rise of fascism. Read Here
Italian police arrest suspected synagogue vandal caught on fuzzy video
By JTA STAFF
Police in the northeast Italian city of Trieste analyzed security videos to identify and arrest a man suspected of vandalizing the city’s synagogue twice in the past few months. The suspect was accused of breaking two windows “for the purposes of ethnic-religious hatred,” police said. The police announcement said the man confessed to the vandalism, saying it had a “mystical-religious meaning.” When police detained the man, he shouted anti-Semitic invective at them, including “I would kill all Jews — If you were Jews and we were at war, I would kill you both.” Read Here
Following Poland’s lead, Lithuania proposes a controversial Holocaust law
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
Lithuania, where Nazi complicity was both widespread and a major reason why 95% of the country’s 250,000 Jews were wiped out, is trying to counter that narrative. A Lithuanian lawmaker for the ruling party of Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis announced that a committee he heads is drafting legislation declaring that neither Lithuania nor its leaders participated in the Holocaust. Read Here
Nazi flag removed from Australian home following pressure from neighbors and a Jewish lawmaker
BY HENRY BENJAMIN
An Australian woman has taken down the Nazi flag she was flying from her home following a joint effort by neighbors and local police, as well as a Jewish member of Parliament. Cheryl Lawdron told reporters that she had German ancestry and had the right to fly the flag featuring a large swastika and other Nazi symbols on her property in the country town of Beulah. Read Here
Finnish MP arrested after breaking through Gaza border fence
By Jerusalem Post Staff
Finnish Member of Parliament Anna Kontula was arrested after attempting to cut through the border fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The barrier along the Gaza border is meant to prevent terrorist infiltrations into Israeli communities. Traffic in and out of the Gaza Strip goes through five crossings between the Strip, Israel and Egypt. Read Here
French Justice Minister Offers Cautious Reassurance on Criminal Trial for Sarah Halimi’s Killer
By Algemeiner Staff
France’s justice minister told a leading Jewish newspaper that she was “particularly touched” by the case of Sarah Halimi, saying that she could “truly understand the emotion caused by this crime.” Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet nevertheless emphasized that she could not comment directly on the widely-protested decision by Paris prosecutors to excuse from trial Halimi’s murderer, Kobili Traore, on the grounds that he was delirious from his intake of cannabis on the night of the killing and therefore not criminally responsible. Read Here
Outrage as Jewish graves vandalised in Bulgaria’s town of Shoumen
By Sofia Globe Staff
Vandals attacked tombstones in the Jewish cemetery in the town of Shoumen in north-eastern Bulgaria. Jewish gravestones were severely damaged while fences were vandalised. Shoumen was home to a Jewish community during the centuries of Ottoman rule. The cemetery is testimony to the legacy of a community largely no longer present in the town. Read Here
Holocaust monument in western Ukraine defaced
By TOI Staff & JTA
Just over a week before International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a monument to the victims of the Holocaust was found defaced in the western Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Israel’s ambassador to the country Joel Lion said. The envoy shared a photograph of the vandalized monument on Twitter, noting that it lies “not far from President’s @ZelenskyyUa’s parents’ home.” Read Here
Brazil minister fired after speech parroting Nazi propagandist Goebbels
BY DIANE JEANTET and MAURICIO SAVARESE
Brazilian culture secretary Roberto Alvim was fired after using phrases similar to some used by Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels. Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro made the decision after a backlash from Jewish organizations, key lawmakers, political parties, artists and the country’s bar association. Alvim drew criticism after he launched an arts initiative focused on nationalism and religion, while using language he later acknowledged was similar to that used by Goebbels. Read Here
Ukraine Jewish community outraged as online store sells anti-Semitic T-shirt
By TOI Staff
Ukraine’s Jewish community has expressed outrage after an online store marketed an anti-Semitic shirt. The local store NU SHO recently uploaded an Instagram post advertising a black T-shirt with the writing: “Holy sh*t, are you a Yid?” “Yid” means “Jew” in Yiddish, but the term has taken on an anti-Semitic connotation, particularly in Eastern Europe, where it is used by many non-Jews as a pejorative. The store subsequently took down the ad and apologized to anyone who was offended, but also argued that the shirt is not anti-Semitic. Read Here
Argentines rally to remember prosecutor killed while probing AMIA attack
BY AFP & TOI Staff
Argentines paid tribute to prosecutor Alberto Nisman on the fifth anniversary of his unsolved death while probing the bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association headquarters, which left 85 dead — an attack in which he alleged a presidential cover-up to shield Iran in exchange for trade. In 2015, his body was found in his Buenos Aires apartment with a gunshot wound to the head, days after he directly accused then-president Cristina Kirchner, now the vice president, and her top aides of covering up Iran’s involvement in the bombing. 3,000 demonstrators at a rally in Buenos Aires shouted “murderer” every time Kirchner’s name was mentioned. Read Here
Graffiti in Spain says ‘Free Palestine, Kill a Jew’
By RACHEL WOLF
A cultural center in Madrid, Spain was vandalized with graffiti reading “I command you to kill Jews” and “Free Palestine, kill a Jew.” Both phrases had swastikas spray painted next to them and the “Free Palestine” graffiti appears to say “SS,” referring to Nazis. Read Here
‘I’m a Nazi! I’m a Nazi!’: New Zealand Rodeo man’s shocking rant
By NZ Herald
A man attending the Wānaka Rodeo in New Zealand has been photographed giving the Nazi salute to a group of protestors. The man, who had two children in his vehicle, allegedly stopped and screamed “I’m a Nazi, I’m a Nazi” at the protesters, while holding his arm in a Nazi salute. Read Here
ON CAMPUS
(4 Articles)
1. Anti-Semitism on the college campus is evolving
By EITAN FISCHBERGER
The BDS movement realized that having a fringe contingent of radical Jewish organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow in their ranks lends them credibility. By hiding behind the veil of their token Jews, they legitimize themselves on campus. Anti-Semitic students have openly advocated not only for a boycott of Israel, but of pro-Israel students as well. Read Here
2. York University Reinstates Both Pro-Israel, Anti-Israel Student Groups After Clash
By JNS
York University in Toronto reinstated a pro-Israel student group after it was suspended following Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) protesting a local Herut Canada event on Nov. 20, which featured reservists from the Israel Defense Forces. Read Here
3. Boca Community High School student says she was target of anti-Semitic bullying
By Lexi Nahl
A Boca Community High School student has been the target of hateful remarks and incessant bullying at the hands of her peers. “They would keep saying I should burn in the oven, that I’m not supposed to be here. If I answer a question correctly, they’ll say “oh the Jew knows it, she’s a dirty Jew. Jews aren’t smart.” she said. The teen says she still feels unsafe and isn’t ready to go back to school. Read Here
4. Rabbis Warn of ‘Anti-Israel Craze’ Leading to ‘Hatred of Jews’ in NYT Op-ed
By AARON BANDLER
Two New York rabbis warned that anti-Israel rhetoric in high schools could lead to anti-Semitism. Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Joshua Davidson and Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch wrote that they recently spoke at Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx about the rise of anti-Semitism in New York City. “…Since we are liberal rabbis, we spent most of our time discussing anti-Semitism among the left. It’s especially important for us to speak against hate in our own camp.” Davidson and Hirsch argued that it is anti-Semitic to compare Israel with the Nazis and equate Zionism with racism. Read Here
ANALYSIS
(5 Pieces)
1. ‘Uncut Gems’ puts age-old Jewish stereotypes front and center. Why has there been no backlash?
By STEPHEN SILVER
It might be surprising that “Uncut Gems,” the acclaimed thriller starring Adam Sandler that depicts a series of age-old negative tropes about Jews, hasn’t been subject to public scrutiny. Sandler’s Howard, who another character calls a “crazy Jew,” is a parody of the anti-Semitic caricature that paints Jews as cheap and profit-driven. So why hasn’t there been an angry response from Jewish organizations or on social media? Likely because of how it approaches and depicts its Jewish protagonist with a real sense of authenticity. Read Here
2. Israel’s Role in the Struggle Against anti-Semitism
By David M. Weinberg
Belatedly, everybody now agrees that combating “cyber hate” is a top priority, and Israel’s Justice Ministry even has a department dedicated to the fight against online incitement. The moment that changed this was the 2001 World Conference Against Racism, known as Durban I. Almost all Israeli leaders today believe that the Jewish state must continue to play a role in highlighting and trying to combat both the “old” anti-Semitism and the “new” toxic new blend of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Read Here
3. How to combat the uptick in anti-Semitic attacks
By John Hagee
Two main policy prescriptions for combating anti-Semitism remain: education and security. Local, state and federal education authorities need to immediately prioritize Holocaust education. Proper education will combat anti-Semitism for future generations, but the problem exists here and now. I fully endorse Sen. Chuck Schumer’s call to quadruple the funds provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency administered Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This should enjoy widespread bipartisan support . Steps must be taken to protect religiously oriented locations. Read Here
4. With surge in anti-Semitism, political leaders need to be aggressive and reflective in response
By FORMER REP. STEVE ISRAEL (D-N.Y.) AND FRED ZEIDMAN
Both parties have elements that engage in harmful and sometimes hateful language. We need to point out anti-Semitism, intentional or not, cloaked in the legitimacy of policy debate. The Senate should pass bipartisan legislation already approved in the House to upgrade the role of Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combatting anti-Semitism as an ambassador rank official. The current position does not have the power or authority of a presidentially appointed finding. Read Here
5. Why intersectionality fails the Jews
By Batsheva Neuer
Identifying Jews as white is not only a perversion of the Jewish past but a denial of its peoplehood. Only a collective amnesia would preclude us from recalling just how recently Jews were still barred from hotels, restaurants, country clubs, neighborhoods and universities. It is nearly impossible to imagine that any other group who had one out of every three of its members wiped out in a six-year span would be considered privileged. The absorption of Jewishness into whiteness is both an erasure of Jewish ethnicity and misrepresentation of the dynamic Jewish identity. It also accentuates anti-Semitic tropes based on Jewish power. Read Here
STUDIES AND STATISTICS
(5 Pieces)
1. Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Data Shows 192,000 Survivors Living in Israel
By Benjamin Kerstein
Israel’s Holocaust Survivors’ Rights Authority at the Ministry of Finance said approximately 192,000 recognized survivors live in Israel. Last year, 14,800 of them died. Of the living survivors, 64% were born in Europe. Read Here
2. Anti-Semitic incidents decreased by 27% in Ukraine in 2019, Jewish group says
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A Jewish organization in Ukraine said that the number of anti-Semitic incidents documented there last year decreased by 27% percent. The United Jewish Community of Ukraine, one of several groups representing Ukrainian Jewry, said in a report that it has documented 66 anti-Semitic incidents in 2019 compared to 90 in the previous year. Read Here
3. Experts advise US synagogues on use of armed security personnel
By DAVID CRARY
Jewish congregations opting to deploy armed security personnel in the wake of deadly attacks should use uniformed law enforcement officers rather than private guards or volunteers. The advice came in a detailed, first-of-its-kind report compiled by the Secure Community Network in response to questions from Jewish communities across the US as to whether and how they should make use of armed security. “Pleas for synagogues to remain gun-free are fading as more Jews accept the need for armed security.” Read Here
4. Less than half of French confident of government ability to tackle anti-Semitism
By STUART WINER and AGENCIES
47% percent of Jews and 48% of the general public have confidence in French President Emmanuel Macron tackling anti-Semitism. 73% of the French public and 72% of Jews said that anti-Semitism is a problem that affects all of French society. The level of anti-Semitism is high according to 67% of Jewish respondents. Most French Jews, 70%, reported they have been the victim of at least one anti-Semitic incident. Nearly a quarter of French Jews, 23%, have suffered physical violence and 52% have considered leaving France. Read Here
5. Majority of Israelis fear for Jews living in France
By i24NEWS
The majority of Israeli citizens are concerned for the safety of Jews living in France. The poll found 68% of Jewish Israelis and 32% of Israel’s Arab population believe that “French citizens belonging to the Jewish faith” are not safe. Moreover, when asked if the French government has done enough to curb anti-Semitic assaults, only 34% said they believe “efficient” measures have been taken. Read Here
FEATURED PARTNER
Combat Anti-Semitism is proud to be a partner of B’NAI BRITH CANADA, the grassroots voice of the Jewish Community in Canada and the country’s oldest independent and self-funded national Jewish organization. Learn more about their important work in the video below.
1. A portrait of Canadian Jewry and B’nai Brith Canada
By ELIANA RUDEE
Meet B’nai Brith: Canada’s voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, which advocates on behalf of senior citizens, and combats anti-Semitism and racism. In Canada, too, there were a number of incidents with respect to political candidates that espoused anti-Semitic viewpoints, but we did not hesitate to talk to the public about it. Candidates have lost because they compared Israel to Nazi Germany, and tenured professors who denied the Holocaust faced the consequences; we are proud of our role in increasing transparency and educating the public. Zionism is an inherent part of our Jewish faith. When you respect yourself strongly, others will respect you as well. Read Here
B’nai Brith has advocated for Canadian Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1875. B’nai Brith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel and global Jewry, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in combating antisemitism & racism. We are the grassroots voice of the Jewish Community, and the country’s oldest independent and self-funded national Jewish organization. Our support comes from thousands of Canadian families with diverse backgrounds and interests that empower the organization to speak to government, to media and to the public at large, on issues of concern to the Jewish community.
Government & Policy
This section highlights the work of government officials around the world that are combating anti-Semitism in their official capacities.
(28 Pieces)
1. South Dakota governor signs executive order prohibiting Israel boycotts
By MARCY OSTER
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed an executive order prohibiting state offices from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. South Dakota is the 28th state to have enacted an anti-Israel boycott executive order or legislation. Its measure requires vendors who want to contract with South Dakota agencies, authorities, commissions, departments or institutions not to work with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel. Read Here
2. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to lead US delegation to Poland for Auschwitz ceremonies
By Marcy Oster
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will lead the U.S. delegation to Poland for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The delegation includes U.S. Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher; U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft; U.S. Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Cherrie Daniels; Bonnie Glick, deputy administrator of the USAID; U.S. Consul General in Krakow Patrick Slowinski; Thomas Rose, senior advisor to Vice President Pence; and Ellie Cohanim, deputy special envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti- Semitism. Read Here
3. Mike Pence to attend Holocaust forum in Israel
By RON KAMPEAS
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, will attend the Fifth World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. This year’s conference coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Allies’ liberation of Auschwitz. Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, also will attend. Read Here
4. Pelosi, US bipartisan delegation visit Auschwitz ahead of liberation anniversary
By AGENCIES and TOI STAFF
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a Congressional delegation paid a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp ahead of the 75th anniversary of its liberation. Pelosi and Poland’s Senate speaker, Tomasz Grodzki, laid wreaths at the Auschwitz Death Wall where inmates were executed. Pelosi said it was to “reaffirm America’s enduring commitment, our sacred pledge: Never again. We must honor the memories of those murdered in this incomprehensible horror by maintaining constant vigilance against hatred and persecution today.” From Poland, Pelosi and the delegation of six Congress members travel to Israel. Read Here
5. Rep. Zeldin brings anti-boycott act to Congress
By RON KAMPEAS/JTA, OMRI NAHMIAS
A House bill would extend penalties for boycotting Israel to comply with boycotts organized by international organizations. The Israel Anti-Boycott Act, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin, would amend the anti-boycott Export Administration Act of 1979 “to prohibit boycotts or requests for boycotts imposed by international organizations against Israel.” The bill specifically names the UN and affiliated bodies, and the European Union, entities that have recommended boycotts of goods made in Israeli settlements. Read Here
6. Israeli FM, US top diplomat urge more countries to blacklist Hezbollah entirely
By TOI Staff and Agencies
Foreign Minister Israel Katz and US Secretary of State Pompeo issued separate remarks calling on more countries to add Hezbollah to their terror blacklists. Pompeo tweeted “all nations to designate #Hizballah as the terrorist organization it is.” The diplomat also marked the five-year anniversary of the death of Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman who was assassinated just before he was to speak to a congressional panel about allegations that then-president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner had been engaged in efforts to cover up Iranian involvement in a 1994 terror attack against the country’s Jewish community. Read Here
7. As Auschwitz Liberation Anniversary Approaches, US Government Underlines Commitment to Holocaust Survivors
By Algemeiner Staff
State Department diplomats outlined the US commitment to remembering the Holocaust and aiding survivors. Cherrie Daniels, special envoy for Holocaust issues said “I think the recent resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world and here at home is a reality that we cannot deny or ignore. We’re committed to help the 80,000 survivors who live in the US achieve a measure of justice […] when it comes to the material losses suffered during the Holocaust…We develop and implement US policy to return Holocaust-era assets to their rightful owners.” Read Here
8. US House committee holds hearing on anti-Semitism
By OMRI NAHMIAS
The House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism held a hearing on the recent spike in anti-Semitic attacks. Chairman of the subcommittee, Representative Max Rose (D-NY), called on federal government officials to protect Jewish individuals, communities and institutions from anti-Semitic violence, saying the government “must put forth comprehensive strategies to address it.” Read Here
9. NJ Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Bolster Security Funding for At Risk Non-Profit Organizations
By InsiderNJ
Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills to provide security funding for non-profit organizations at risk of terror attacks and expand the definition of domestic terrorism. A6123 supplements the FY2020 Appropriations Act to provide funding towards bolstering security measures at non-profit organizations, while A3087 expands the definition of terrorism in New Jersey law. “Our state and our nation are facing a rising tide of anti-Semitism. We recently bore witness to how this can manifest itself in violence. We must stand together against terrorism and recommit to the elimination of hate in all its forms.” Read Here
10. Governor, state legislators condemn anti-Semitism after Lincoln synagogue vandalized with swastikas
By Bob Glissmann and Martha Stoddard
Nebraska’s governor and Nebraska state senators have condemned the painting of a swastika on a Lincoln synagogue. Gov. Pete Ricketts said, “I condemn anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms, and encourage Nebraskans from all backgrounds to do the same.” Lincoln State Sens. Anna Wishart and Patty Pansing Brooks both stood to denounce the vandalism and express support for the congregation. Read Here
11. Museum of Jewish Heritage field trips coming as city boosts anti-hate crime effort
By Nolan Hicks
New York City Hall and the Museum of Jewish Heritage have struck a partnership aimed at combatting anti-Semitic bias in city neighborhoods by getting school kids in neighborhoods with sizable Jewish populations to visit the cultural institution on class trips. The Department of Education will organize field trips there for 8th and 10th grade students from three Brooklyn neighborhoods with large Orthodox communities. Read Here
12. We must support Israel and fight anti-Semitism
By JASON FISCHER, Southern Duval County, Florida House of Representatives.
I am proud that states like Florida are on the front lines of fighting anti-Semitism. In response to the uptick in anti-Semitic attacks, the Florida legislature created a state fund that awards security grants to Jewish day schools. Florida also passed the toughest anti-BDS law in the country. As a state lawmaker, I look forward to finding ways to strengthen Florida’s relationship with Israel and fight anti-Semitism. Read Here
13. Rivlin to host 40 world leaders to mark 75 years since Auschwitz liberation
By TOI Staff
40 heads of state are slated to take part in a gathering at President Reuven Rivlin’s residence in Jerusalem. The leaders will be in Israel for the 5th World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem, which begins on Thursday, January 23. At least 47 world leaders, including 26 presidents, four kings and four prime ministers will be in attendance. The Foreign Ministry has called the event the third-largest gathering of international leaders in Israel’s history, after the funerals of Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Read Here
14. UK adds entire Hezbollah movement to terror blacklist and freezes its assets
By AFP & TOI Staff
Britain’s finance ministry added Lebanon’s entire Hezbollah movement to its list of terrorist groups subject to asset freezing. The ministry previously only targeted the Shiite organization’s military wing but has now listed the whole group. The change requires any individual or institution in Britain with accounts or financial services connected to Hezbollah to suspend them or face prosecution. Read Here
15. British Prime Minister Johnson Vows to ‘Stamp Out the Resurgence of Anti-Semitism’
By Benjamin Kerstein
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson emphatically pledged to “stamp out the resurgence of anti-Semitism.” “We are in the government and in the House wanting to do absolutely everything we can to stamp out the resurgence of anti-Semitism. As someone who’s now 55-years-old, I find it absolutely incredible that in the 21st century we have anti-Semitism rising again in this country. It is a disgrace and we must stamp it out.” Read Here
16. Sadiq Khan commits £300,000 from London to help preserve Auschwitz site
By JC Reporter
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pledged £300,000 to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation “to help ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten”. The Mayor confirmed that he would visit Auschwitz-Birkenau to attend a special service marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camp. The grant from London will support the preservation of the ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria, the conservation of the barracks and preserving collections and exhibits. Read Here
17. Lord Mann: My voice will get ’more brutal’ if clubs don’t tackle anti-Semitism
By Jewish News Reporter
The British government’s independent adviser on anti-Semitism has urged other football clubs to emulate Chelsea’s campaign against anti-Semitism. Lord John Mann warned his voice “will get more brutal” if more teams don’t start seriously tackling stadium racism. He made his remarks at the launch of a giant mural honouring three footballers who were imprisoned by the Nazis, which is part of the club’s Say No To Anti-Semitism campaign. Read Here
18. Italy adopts IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
By LAHAV HARKOV
The Italian government decided to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. The Foreign Ministry has called for as many countries as possible to use the definition as a guideline for what should be considered anti-Semitism. The Italian cabinet decision states that it adopts the definition, and that it appointed Prof. Milena Santerini as the national coordinator of the fight against anti-Semitism. Read Here
19. Italy’s Salvini to recognize Jerusalem as capital if elected
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN
Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini has vowed that if he is elected to head the government, he will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Salvini is the head of the League Party, the largest right-wing party in the Italian Parliament and by far the largest party in general. Read Here
20. Italy’s Salvini, accused of insensitivity to anti-Semitism, combats it
By LAHAV HARKOV
Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini held an event on combating anti-Semitism at the Senate in Rome, two months after opposing the formation of a parliamentary committee to fight hatred of Jews. “The anti-Semitism of a certain traditional part of the Right and a certain part of the Left is our enemy,” Salvini said. “We are duty bound to combat those who say the Jews are the Nazis of today. He also said he plans to propose the criminalization of anti-Semitic hate speech. Read Here
21. Pope Francis condemns resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world
By Reuters
Pope Francis condemned the “barbaric resurgence” of anti-Semitism around the world, linking it to the rise of populism. “Even recently, we have witnessed a barbaric resurgence of cases of anti-Semitism. Once more, I firmly condemn every form of anti-Semitism. If we lose our memory, we destroy our future. May the anniversary of the unspeakable cruelty that humanity learned of seventy-five years ago serve as a summons to pause, to be still and to remember. We need to do this, lest we become indifferent,” he said. Read Here
22. IHRA 2020 declaration discusses Holocaust, modern anti-Semitism
By Rachel Wolf
High Governmental Representatives of the Member Countries of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) adopted its 2020 ministerial declaration. The member states signed to the agreement accepted the responsibility to “continue working together to counter Holocaust denial and distortion, anti-Semitism, and all forms of discrimination.” They committed to commending other governments that “commemorate the Holocaust and share good practices” as well as encouraging “all countries to address their respective pasts by dealing openly and accurately with the historical record.” Read Here
23. German envoy ‘horrified and ashamed’ anti-Semitism still persists after Shoah
By RAPHAEL AHREN
Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Dr. Susanne Wasum-Rainer said. “We owe that ‘culture of remembrance’ to the millions of innocent victims of Nazi persecution. We owe it also us, Germans. I was horrified and deeply ashamed,” she said of the Yom Kippur shooting at a synagogue in the city of Halle. “It was a nightmare for me, following it as a German citizen but also seeing it through Israeli eyes: An attack on a synagogue in the middle of Germany, where the community had gathered to mark the holiest day of Judaism, Yom Kippur.” Read Here
24. For first time, Ukrainian Parliament marks int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
For the first time in its history, the Ukrainian parliament marked both International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The event was held following a minor spat between Jerusalem and Kiev concerning marches that were held throughout Ukraine marking the 111th birthday of former leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and Nazi collaborator, Stepan Bandera. Read Here
25. Spanish Court Strikes Down Another ‘Discriminatory’ Municipal BDS Pledge
By Algemeiner Staff
A Spanish court has ruled against a boycott agreement targeting companies with ties to Israel that was previously adopted by the City Council of Santa Cruz de Bezana. The city hall, located in Spain’s northern Cantabria region, adopted the “Space Free of Israeli Apartheid” pledge — a part of the BDS campaign in 2017. The Contentious Administrative Court of Santander said the agreement contained discriminatory elements, exceeded the city council’s “local competency,” and “affects the right to equality reflected in Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution.” Read Here
26. New Guatemalan president to keep embassy in Jerusalem, labels Hezbollah terror group
By JNS
The new president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, pledged to “keep the [Guatemalan] embassy in Jerusalem and designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization” during a meeting in Guatemala City with Ofir Akunis, Israeli Minister of Science, Technology and Space. Read Here
27. Serbia flies yellow-badge flag to honor Holocaust victims
By DONNA RACHEL EDMUNDS
A yellow flag is being flown in Serbia to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the country’s president has said. The flag, featuring a Star of David and the word “Jude,” is being flown alongside the country’s national flag, above the Novi Dvor in Belgrade, the official seat of the President. President Aleksandar Vucic tweeted a photo of the flag, along with the message in both English and Serbian: “This badge was a symbol of the attempted destruction of the Jews. Now it is a symbol of honor. 75 years after. Never again.” Read Here
28. European MPs to promote legislation fighting anti-Semitism
By Eldad Beck
Over 100 ministers and MPs from all over Europe convened in Krakow, Poland, to discuss practical ways to tackle the recent surge in anti-Semitism in Europe. The conference, organized by the European Jewish Association, seeks to explore ways to integrate Holocaust studies into Europe’s educational systems, and to formulate legislation that would prohibit the use of anti-Semitic stereotypes. Read Here
HUMANITY
(8 Pieces)
1. Orthodox Jews And Locals Interact At Meet-and-greet Popup Tent In Harlem
By SHIRA HANAU
After the recent wave of anti-Semitic attacks, Allison Josephs wanted to do something. So she came to this street corner in Harlem to stand with several other women [religious Jews] and engage non-Jewish New Yorkers in conversation. Josephs is the founder of Jew in the City, an organization dedicated to reversing negative stereotypes about Orthodox Jews. Banners hung from the tent that read “Meet A Jew, Make A Friend.” Read Here
2. Arab Israeli town steps up for widow and newborn daughter of Jewish policeman
By TOI STAFF
When a Jewish police officer tragically died of sudden cardiac arrest, residents of the Arab Israeli town where he lived stepped up to help his wife and newborn daughter. Residents of Abu Ghosh treated him as though he were family, setting up a mourning tent in the town and observing Shiva, the traditional mourning period in Judaism, with his widow, Adi Erlich, so she would not be alone. Read Here
3. Italian bishops promote Catholic-Jewish dialogue as anti-Semitic speech increases
By Hannah Brockhaus
The Catholic Church in Italy marked its 31st annual Day of Jewish-Christian Religious Dialogue with a discussion between Rome’s chief rabbi and a Catholic priest who is a professor of the Old Testament. Fr. Mazzinghi, who teaches on the Old Testament at the Pontifical Gregorian University, said “We should be very careful about anti-Semitism, because it is a very real danger, it’s a reality.” Read Here
4. Rapper Kosha Dillz is in a Fighting Mood
By ALAN ZEITLIN
The provocative rapper, who moved to Israel from Los Angeles in September, is out with a new music video. Dressed in black from head to toe, in the garb of chasidic Jews, the New Jersey native says he wanted to evoke a sense of Jewish pride in “Schmoozin,’” which features a posse of Orthodox toughs strutting through Tel Aviv. The music video dropped just before shocking scenes in Monsey, N.Y. Read Here
Watch Kosha Dillz discuss the anti-Semitism he has experienced in his musical career below:
5. A high-schooler struck back at anti-Semitism the best way she knew how: On Instagram
By THÉODEN JANES
Abby Adams, a senior at Charlotte Latin School, is familiar with the sting of being left out for being Jewish, of hearing jokes that mock or marginalize her religion. In an effort to counter those feelings and maybe, she hopes, even effect real change — Adams co-founded a social-media campaign called “Why I Wear My Star,” which is giving young and old Jewish men and women all around the globe an opportunity to open up about their faith and what it means to them. Read Here
6.TikTok Bans Holocaust Denial
By Isobel Asher Hamilton
TikTok released a new set of updated community guidelines, and among them is a rule explicitly banning content that “denies well-documented and violent events that have taken place.” The rule falls under the “hateful ideology” section in the new guidelines, and would apply to Holocaust denial, a TikTok spokesman confirmed. Read Here
7. Local churches support Jewish community after temple vandalism
By Mackenzie Huck
Dozens of people from all faiths came together to show support for members of the South Street Temple in Nebraska. Community members sang songs of hope and peace from all religions, and greeted people as they entered the temple. The congregation said vandalism will not keep them from being Jewish and proud. Read Here
8. Chelsea become first sports team to adopt IHRA anti-Semitism definition
By Sky Sports
It is the latest step in their ‘Say No to anti-Semitism’ campaign, launched in January 2018, which is aimed at tackling racism and discrimination on the pitch, in the stands and in society. Chelsea say they will ensure stewards will be trained in how to identify anti-Semitic abuse on match-days, while supporters will be offered education on the IHRA’s working definition. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said: “We believe that adopting the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is an important statement for our football club. Read Here
OVER 150,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 170 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.”
