Please forward to your family and friends and ask them to take the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge today! Taking a pledge can be the start!
THIS WEEK’S CONTENT
TAKE ACTION
(2 Pieces)
1. Learn More About H.R. 943 – Never Again Education Act
This week we ask you to take action by learning about the Never Again Education Act, which would authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust. With rising anti-Semitism across the world, educating students about the Holocaust has never been more important. Help raise awareness about the issue by sharing the bill and the resources below.
To learn more about the Never Again Education Act please view the language of the bill here.
IN PUSH FOR NEVER AGAIN EDUCATION ACT, HADASSAH HOSTS SENATE BRIEFING
By OMRI NAHMIAS
In a push to promote the bipartisan Never Again Education Act, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, hosted a Senate briefing with congressional representatives and staffers of both parties. The bill was introduced earlier this year with 292 cosponsors in the House and 20 cosponsors in the Senate. The bill seeks to establish a federal fund at the Department of Education – “the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund” – which will finance grants to public and private middle and high schools to help teachers develop and improve Holocaust education programs. Read Here
2. VENTURE CREATIVE CONTEST – ROUND ONE
This contest is crowd-sourcing new solutions to help end “the world’s oldest hatred.” The contest is sponsored by the CombatAntiSemitism.org coalition. People of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities are encouraged to participate by creatively addressing one of the categories below:
Round 1 Deadline: December 1, 2019 (future rounds coming soon)
notable supporters
CAS is pleased to announce that student leaders at the University of Pennsylvania Hillel & AEPi have have signed the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge and are working on campus to have more students join the movement!
UNITED STATES
(14 Articles)
1. FBI arrests alleged white supremacist accused of planning to bomb a Pueblo synagogue
By David Shortell
27-year-old Richard Holzer was arrested by the FBI for plotting to bomb Temple Emanuel in Pueblo, Colorado. He was examining inert pipe bombs moments before he was arrested. Officials called him a domestic terrorist and described his anti-Semitic ideology and desires for a racial holy war. Holzer talked about killing Jews online and shared video of himself casing the synagogue in Pueblo. Read Here
2. Officials to investigate how a Nazi flag ended up hanging in state government building
By Gabe Stutman
California state officials sought to quell fears this week about racism in the ranks of state correctional officers after two Nazi flags were seen hanging inside a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation office in Sacramento. The CDCR sought to pour cold water on concerns that the department had been infiltrated by Nazi sympathizers. Instead, a spokesperson said the flags had been seized from offenders and did not represent the ideology of the person who hung them. Read Here
3. Antifa activist charged with felony hate crime for anti-Semitic attacks
By Andy Ngo
Jamal Oscar Williams, an antifa activist with a history of violence, has been arrested on a felony hate crime charge in Seattle for anti-Semitic attacks against Schmuel Levitin, a rabbi, and Ephriam Block. Williams “maliciously and intentionally” followed, threatened to kill and assaulted the men in multiple attacks because of their perceived religion. Read Here
4. NEO-NAZI RECRUITMENT LETTER MYSTERIOUSLY SENT TO SOUTH CAROLINA WOMAN, USPS OPENS INVESTIGATION
By Ewan Palmer
Sharon Merkel, of Little River, South Carolina, received a recruitment flyer for a neo-Nazi group in the post. The flyer called on “all able white men and woman” to join the National Socialist Movement along with a donation card to give money to the white supremacist group.The flyer also contained anti-Semitic and anti-Black statements. Read Here
5. Prominent US Reform Rabbi Warns of Growing Anti-Israel Sentiments in Democratic Party
By Algemeiner Staff
Ammiel Hirsch, a prominent US Reform rabbi, warned of growing anti-Israel sentiments in the Democratic Party. “Overwhelmingly, most American Jews — including most liberal Jews – passionately support a strong US-Israel relationship…The crisis of anti-Semitism within the UK Labour party began with intense anti-Israel animosity…That anti-Zionism increasingly devolved into downright anti-Semitism…I fear a similar process is beginning here in the US.” Read Here
6. Self-proclaimed ‘American nationalist’ running for Oklahoma State House responds to controversial posts
By Tribune Media Wire
Jimmy Wood, a self-proclaimed American Nationalist and candidate for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, is causing controversy after making anti-minority, anti-Semitic, and anti-LGBT social media posts. Read Here
7. Brothers with alleged Hezbollah ties plead not guilty
By AP
Usama and Issam Hamade, two brothers accused of conspiring to export drone technology to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia, have pleaded not guilty for conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws. Prosecutors say the men arranged for the shipment of drone parts to Hezbollah. Read Here
8. FBI Director Reports That Neo-Nazis Are Working Together Across The Atlantic
By Ari Feldman
Neo-Nazis considered to be domestic terrorism threats by the U.S. government are increasingly communicating and meeting with European hate groups, the director of the FBI told Congress. The Director said that these meetings did not appear to be about organizing terrorist actions, but more about sharing their like-minded views. Read Here
9. American Jewish Congress Wants Sanders to Drop Sarsour for Her “Flagrant Anti-Semitism”
By Fern Sidman
The American Jewish Congress is demanding that Sanders give Linda Sarsour her “pink slip” for espousing “a long history of flagrant anti-Semitism.” The organization’s president, Jack Rosen wrote: “As the only Jewish presidential candidate, you bear a special responsibility to the Jewish American community. With the tide of anti-Semitism rising, it is of utmost importance that Jewish political and community leaders, such as yourself, show Jewish Americans that they will stand up for them.”
Read Here
10. Men dressed as Jews hand out Holocaust denial fliers in Colorado
By JTA
A group of men wearing large white kippas and tallesim handed out fliers promoting Holocaust denial and cards bearing anti-Semitic canards at a mall in Boulder, Colorado. The men, posing as Jews, claimed the Holocaust was “impossible” and hung notes that claimed “Academia is dominated by Marxist Jews,” Jews run the porn industry,” and “Jews ran the Atlantic slave trade.” Read Here
11. NYPD Investigating 4 Alleged Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Committed In One Night In Brooklyn
By CBS New York
Members of the Jewish community in Brooklyn were terrorized by four hate crimes in one night. The victims were chased, scared, taunted and, in some cases, punched. Surveillance video captures a car approaching a Hasidic couple and the passenger in the car punched the man before the car sped away. All those targeted are of the Jewish faith. Read Here
12. Residents Outraged After Anti-Semitic Fliers Found In Parts Of South Philadelphia
By Matt Petrillo
Anti-Semitic, racist fliers have been found in parts of South Philadelphia. The page-long flier makes several false claims about the Jewish community and African Americans. Read Here
13. Ocasio-Cortez Issues Last-Minute Formal Apology For Blocking Twitter User
By Molly Prince
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a formal apology to former Brooklyn Democratic State Assemblyman Dov Hikind as part of a settlement over a lawsuit regarding her decision to block him on Twitter. Ocasio-Cortez blocked Hikind over the summer after he criticized the freshman lawmaker for repeatedly comparing Nazi concentration camps to illegal immigrant detention facilities. Read Here
14. Leak Claims To Show Richard Spencer In Racist, Anti-Semitic Tirade
By Aiden Pink
An audio leak of white nationalist leader Richard Spencer going on an anti-Semitic tirade in an “emergency meeting” after the death of Heather Heyer at the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville has been published. Spencer used slurs against Jews such as “Little f—-ing kikes…“They get ruled by people like me. Little f—-ing octaroons. My ancestors f—-ing enslaved those pieces of f—-ing s—-. I rule the f—-ing world…” Read Here
ISRAEL AND THE REST OF THE WORLD
(4 Pieces)
1. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UK
CONSERVATIVE PARTY CHAIRMAN: JEWS WILL LEAVE UK IF CORBYN WINS ELECTION
By Alex Winston
There are Jewish families who intend to emigrate from the UK if Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn wins the December 12 election, Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly said. “A number of my Jewish friends told me that if this man gets in to government, they will get out of here and go and live with their families in other countries.” Read Here
BBC Panorama whistleblower selected as Labour’s candidate against Tory Chairman James Cleverley
By JC Reporter
Cllr Joshua Garfield, a Jewish councillor who appeared on the BBC Panorama episode about Labour anti-Semitism, has been selected to be the party’s candidate to take on Tory Chairman James Cleverly. Read Here
Venue denies anti-Semitism after hosting Interfaith for Palestine event
By Mathilde Frot
A community centre has denied charges of “anti-Semitism” after it hosted the opening day of a conference organised by a group that claims “today’s Holocaust is the Holocaust of the Palestinians” The event was originally set to be held at St Columba’s Church but the church pulled its booking amid a flurry of criticism expressing fears over the lineup. Read Here
Labour suspends art critic who dismissed anti-Semitism claims as ‘witch hunt’
By Edward Malnick
Matthew Collings, one of the UK’s leading art critics has been quietly dropped as a Labour parliamentary candidate as it emerged that he dismissed allegations of anti-Semitism in the party as a “witch hunt” and described a former chief rabbi as a “notorious hate-filled racist”. Collings has been suspended by Labour while the party investigates allegations relating to posts from his social media accounts, including a diagram showing the “influence” of Israel and prominent Jewish businessmen on British politics. Read Here
Jewish group removes campaigning support for Labour in election
By Kate Proctor
The Jewish Labour Movement has withdrawn campaigning support for Labour in the upcoming general election in protest at its handling of anti-Semitism cases. As one of the oldest socialist societies affiliated to Labour, the group regularly sent out activists to support candidates across the country before voters went to the polls. Read Here
BBC to dismiss Labour complaint over Panorama anti-Semitism episode
The BBC is set to reject Labour’s complaint about a Panorama documentary which alleged widespread anti-Semitism in Jeremy Corbyn’s party. The decision is likely to set up a clash between the public broadcaster and the opposition that will run during the forthcoming general election campaign. Read Here
Editorial: We face a dire prospect at this election
…There is now every chance that, on December 13th, Britain could wake up with its first ideologically anti-Semitic prime minister. A Labour vote means only one thing: a vote to make Jeremy Corbyn PM. Labour “moderates” who have spent the past four years tweeting their support for the Jewish community and professing their supposed opposition to their party’s institutional racism have now been exposed as careerists who regard their party’s racism as a price worth paying for their own status as MPs. Read Here
Board & JLC slam John McDonnell claim that Labour is ‘doing everything to eliminate anti-Semitism’
Jewish groups in the UK have criticised Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell’s claim his party is doing everything the community had asked for to eradicate anti-Semitism among the membership. Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies, said McDonnell’s comment “stretches credulity.” Read Here
Swastika vandals cause £1,000 damage to Sawbridgeworth community hall
By Cat Barkley
Swastikas have been carved into the metal shutter doors at the Bullfields Centre in Sawbridgeworth, causing £1,000 damage. The Nazi and anti-semitic symbols were etched into the Cutforth Road community hub.
Read Here
Jewish Labour MP who called Corbyn an anti-Semite wins contest to run again
Dame Margaret Hodge, a veteran Jewish lawmaker in the Labour Party who called leader Jeremy Corbyn an anti-Semite won a reselection vote to remain as the local party candidate. Hodge faced a reselection vote from her local constituency party. Read Here
Senior Rabbi Breaks Tradition To Plead People Not To Vote For Corbyn
By LBC
Rabbi Jonathon Romaine said: “We’ve always avoided being party political, unless you compromise your faith. But this is an unprecedented situation, never before have we had a mainstream party be widely seen as anti-Semitic…Never before would I have told my congregants how to vote, it would just have been unthinkable.” Read Here
Jewish bodies condemn Rod Liddle over comments on Jews and Muslims
By Ben Weich
Jewish groups have rounded on commentator Rod Liddle after two recent articles were widely condemned as anti-Semitic and Islamophobic. In an article in the Sun he appeared to accuse Jews of religious hypocrisy, writing that on a recent trip to Israel he noticed that Jewish Israelis were not permitted to use cigarette lighters or coffee machines over the chag, but “were allowed to push the buttons on their cash registers”. Read Here
Labour MP hopeful said she would ‘celebrate’ deaths of Blair, Netanyahu
Labour’s General Election candidate for Coventry South bragged she would “celebrate” the deaths of Tony Blair and Benjamin Nentanayu and also wrote of her support for “violent resistance” by Palestinians. Zarah Sultana, a paid Labour staffer and West Midlands regional campaigner, was selected last week as the official candidate. Read Here
Labour candidate for Boris Johnson’s seat refused to rule out ‘armed conflict’ as alternative to BDS
By Daniel Sugarman
Ali Milani, a Labour Parliamentary candidate who previously apologised for using anti-Semitic language has been found to have appeared on Iranian State Press TV, where he suggested the BDS movement could be used in tandem with “armed conflict” against Israel. Read Here
Labour activist contemplated suicide after backlash for speaking out against anti-Semitism
By Ben Weich
A Labour student activist has revealed that the backlash she received for speaking out against anti-Semitism led her to contemplating suicide. 19-year-old Hull University student Isobel Housecroft spoke of her disappointment in her fellow Labour members who denied the existence of anti-Semitism in the party. She was even called a “dirty Jew” by a Labour colleague – despite not being Jewish. Read Here
Tony Blair STILL voting Labour despite Jeremy Corbyn
By Justin Cohen
Tony Blair has said he understands why people would vote to “eschew the extremism” of both major parties as he suggested the anti-Semitism scandal was “absolutely killing” Labour. The former Prime Minister also said that he had “more reasonable conversations in the Arab world about Israel than with parts of the left at home.” Read Here
2. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY
Spy chief says right-wing radicalism spreads in Germany
BY Reuters
The head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency said that militant right-wingers were mixing with less radical conservatives, blurring the lines to make extremism more acceptable and harder to detect. Thomas Haldenwang added that lone attackers, like in the Halle Synagogue attack were also an increasing threat. Read Here
Germany: Teens under investigation for anti-Semitic songs
BY DW News
Police are investigating three 14-year-old Germans for incitement to hatred after the teens played anti-Semitic songs following a visit to Buchenwald concentration camp with their school. The students could face expulsion for the incident. Read Here
Dresden declares ‘Nazi emergency’
By DW News
The eastern German city of Dresden has passed a resolution declaring a “Nazi emergency.” In a policy statement passed by the city council, councilors noted that “anti-democratic, anti-pluralist and right-wing-extremist attitudes and actions, including violence in Dresden, are occurring with increasing frequency.” It calls for a focus on “fighting the causes of far-right attitudes and their consequences, such as anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia.” Read Here
Authorities increase German shul security
By Jewish News Reporter
Local authorities and Jewish communities in Germany have significantly increased synagogue security in the wake of the deadly attack in Halle. Authorities have agreed to post armed officers outside during services. In Hesse, police said every synagogue and Jewish building would get security during Jewish holidays, while in Bavaria synagogues were added to police patrol routes. Read Here
Germany considering stricter gun control rules amid spike in far-right crime
By ZACK BUDRYK
Germany’s government this week advanced a series of proposals for stricter background checks for guns in the wake of a series of violent anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant crimes. “The threat from far-right extremism and far-right terrorism, and with them anti-Semitism, is high in Germany and we can’t stress it often enough,” Horst Seehofer, Germany’s interior minister, said at a news conference. Read Here
3. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
Al-Jazeera’s Midan Voice Internet Channel: Jews Created And Control The Porn Industry In Order To Pollute American And Christian Values
By MEMRI
A video about Jewish control of the pornography industry was uploaded by Midan Voice, an Al-Jazeera Internet audio channel directed at youth. The narrator said that the Jews dominate the porn industry and spread pornography in order to “pollute Christian culture” and destroy American values. Read Here
Twitter suspends accounts associated with Hezbollah and Hamas
By MARCY OSTER
Hezbollah’s television station Al-Manar said that most of the Twitter accounts associated with the station were suspended.“There is no place on Twitter for illegal terrorist organizations and violent extremist groups,” a Twitter spokesperson said. Twitter also suspended Hamas-affiliated accounts. Read Here
Family of Female Palestinian Suicide Bomber Hanadi Jaradat: Hanadi’s Father Handed Out Sweets In Celebration Of Her Martyrdom, Wanted Congratulations Instead Of Condolences
By MEMRI
Al-Quds Al-Youm TV aired a report about Hanadi Jaradat, a Palestinian woman who carried out a suicide bombing in a restaurant in Haifa in 2003. Hanadi’s mother praised Allah for having given Hanadi what she had asked for, and Hanadi’s brother said that his father had handed out sweets upon hearing about the operation and wanted people to give him congratulations instead of condolences. Read Here
‘We’ll turn Israeli cities into ghost towns,’ Hamas leader warns
By Neta Bar
In a meeting at which Hamas’ politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh and UN Special Coordinator for the Gaza Strip Sergey Mladenov were also present, Gaza Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar called Gantz “the next leader of the occupation” and said “If Israel continues to tighten the siege on Gaza, we’ll shoot rockets at Tel Aviv for six months straight. We’ll turn the cities of Israel into ghost towns.” Read Here
4. IN DEPTH: OTHER WORLD NEWS
No Similarity Between Anti-Semitism and BDS,’ New Swedish Foreign Minister Tells Pro-Israel Legislator
By Algemeiner Staff
Sweden’s new foreign minister Ann Linde has reiterated her support for Israel’s right to exist but in a parliamentary debate last week, Linde pointedly shielded the BDS movement against Israel from the accusation that it is anti-Semitic. “This government does not place an equals sign between ‘anti-Semitism’ and ‘BDS’.” Read Here
Pro-Israel group launches international protest petition against decision of Oslo City Council to boycott Israeli settlement goods
By Yossi Lempkowicz
A pro-Israel advocacy group in Scandinavia has launched a protest petition against the decision by Oslo to boycott Israeli settlements products. The Oslo ban was adopted recently by the City Council. The City Council is led by the Socialist Left, Labor and Green parties. Many Jews in Oslo are already hiding their identity and anti-Semitic incidents and threats against Jews are often caused by anti-Israel motives. Read Here
Norway arrests US white supremacist ahead of far-right conference
By Vasco Cotovia
Norwegian authorities arrested a high-profile American white supremacist, hours before he was due to give a speech at a far-right conference in Oslo. The detained American, Greg Johnson, is editor-in-chief of the white nationalist Counter-Currents Publishing group. He had been scheduled to speak at the Scandza Forum, a network known for its anti-Semitic and racist views. Read Here
Mayor of French City Condemns Rising Anti-Semitism After Frenzied Individual’s Attack on Jewish School is Foiled
By Algemeiner Staff
The mayor of the French city of Nice strongly condemned rising anti-Semitism after a man yelling anti-Semitic slurs tried to break into a Jewish school. Security guards at the school swiftly overcame the intruder and none of the children were harmed. Read Here
New racist, anti-Semitic and anti-migrant tags discovered in Bootzheim, France
New racist and anti-Semitic graffiti were discovered in Alsace. This time, the insults were registered on the elementary school of Bootzheim in Center-Alsace during the middle of the night and read “France sold to Jews.” Read Here
Simon Wiesenthal Centre urges newly appointed Belgian PM to act against anti-Semitic carnival float
By YOSSI LEMPKOWICZ
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre has urged the newly appointed Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes ‘’to direct your Foreign Ministry to encourage UNESCO to delist the Aalst carnival at the Bogota assembly and to take appropriate punitive measures against apparent recidivist incitement at home.” Wilmes is the first Jewish Prime Minister of Belgium. Read Here
€1,000 fine for anti-Semitic comment on Jewish minister’s Facebook page in Luxembourg
A man received a €1,000 fine in a case for inciting hatred on the social network after Luxembourg Minister for Family Affairs Corinne Cahen, who is Jewish, filed a complaint. The individual expressed hateful and insulting views towards migrants on Facebook then posted a derogatory comment on the Minister’s Facebook page, namely using the word “Juddepak” which loosely translates to “a pack of Jews”. Read Here
Italian Jews condemn right-wing parties for not backing anti-Semitism committee
By TOI Staff
The Jewish community of Rome denounced right-wing Italian parties for refusing to support forming a parliamentary committee to combat hate, racism and anti-Semitism. The motion passed, supported by the ruling 5-Star Movement and the center-left Democratic Party. The Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said “I am worried, in the sense that on things like fundamental values we should all be united. There is a danger that all this gets politicized. We need to break clear of this.” Read Here
South Africa Methodist Church formally adopts BDS
By Tali Feiberg
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) formally adopted BDS principles against Israel. MCSA’s formal statement directs its members to “boycott, disinvest, and sanction all businesses that benefit the Israeli economy; that all future holy land tours organised by Methodist clergy or persons affiliated to the MCSA [are] to boycott all Israeli operators and tours and deliberately seek out tours that offer an alternative Palestinian perspective.” Read Here
YORK, Canada POLICE ARREST MAN SUSPECTED OF SUKKAH VANDALISM
By Paul Lungen
York Regional Police made an arrest in a case of vandalism that targeted a sukkah at the home of a Chabad rabbi in the town of Keswick, Ont. Saeed Ahmed of Keswick was taken into custody and charged with mischief in relation to religious property. Additionally it appeared he was harassing the rabbi and a picture of Hitler was uploaded to the Chabad’s profile on Google Maps. Read Here
FAKE CABLE GUYS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING TORONTO YESHIVAH
By CJN Staff
Toronto police received a report of a “ suspicious incident” at Yeshiva Darchei Torah. The yeshivah reported that two unidentified men wearing yellow construction vests came to its front doors claiming to be cable repairmen working for Rogers Communications. The men used the intercom to try to gain entry. A rabbi responded and asked for identification. The two men reportedly did not produce any and were sent away. Read Here
Swastikas spray-painted on skate park in Canada
By JNS
Large red spray-painted swastikas were removed over the weekend at a skatepark in the New Brunswick city of Moncton. As of 2016, only 150 or so Jews resided in Moncton. Read Here
Mosque-Based Publication Runs Hateful Article by Holocaust Denier
By B’Nai Brith Canada
A monthly news magazine published from a Toronto-area mosque is alleging that the IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism is “a racist, genocidal lie.” An article in Newsmagazine of the Islamic Movement by U.S. Holocaust denier Kevin Barrett contends that this accepted definition of anti-Semitism, which has been adopted by the Government of Canada, is part of a plot to ensure “Zionist” world domination. Read Here
Mexico Court rules against dismissed employee over swastika tattoo
The Mexican Supreme Court refused to grant constitutional protection to a man who demanded compensation from a former employer who fired him for displaying a swastika tattoo. The court ruled that in today’s cultural environment, the swastika “represents anti-Semitic hate speech.” Court documents state that the man’s boss and coworkers, the majority of them Jewish, “felt offended, attacked or abused” from his first day on the job. Read Here
Colombia condemns defacement of menorah monument with swastika
By AP
A menorah monument in Bogota, Colombia was vandalized with graffiti of a swastika with the name of the state of Israel painted over. The Colombian government described the defacement of the monument as an expression of “intolerance and hate.” Read Here
Get out Jews!: Anti-Semitic graffiti at the Law School of Buenos Aires
By Vis-A-Vis
In one of the faculty bathrooms at the Law School of the City of Buenos Aires, a swastika appeared next to the phrase “Get Out Jews!”, generating repudiation from students and professors. The authorities of the institution promised to investigate the act. Read Here
ON CAMPUS
(15 Articles)
1. ‘Disturbing’ Anti-Israel Event at the University of Minnesota Highlights Need for Better Outreach, Campus Jewish Leader Says
By Caleb Galaraga
Hundreds of members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) converged on the University of Minnesota for the anti-Israel organization’s 9th national conference. The gathering began with a celebration of the host SJP chapter’s success in passing a pro-BDS measure. As the student arm of the boycott movement targeting Israel, which a recent report on anti-Semitism noted is a main driver of Jew-hatred on campus, SJP is looking to mainstream its advocacy, aided by the emergence of new public figures like Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Read Here
2. Report Says SJP Promulgates ‘Blatant Forms of Anti-Semitism’
By Aaron Bandler
A new report from the Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy (ISGAP) states that National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) has promulgated “blatant forms of anti-Semitism” across college campuses nationwide.The report also documents alleged instances of SJP-incited altercations on college campuses. Read Here
3. Five Swastikas Found at UMass Amherst
By Aaron Bandler
Anti-Semitic vandalism was found on yet another Massachusetts campus. Five swastikas were found at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst on the heels of a controversial BDS conference being hosted at the prestigious public university. Read Here
4. University of Illinois Student Leader Hailed for ‘Courageous’ Stand With Jewish Community in Fight Against Anti-Israel Resolution
By Caleb Galaraga
As tensions soared during a student government meeting at the University of Illinois where a controversial resolution denying any link between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism passed, student-body vice president Jack Langen stood up for the Jewish community, feeling it had been left in the dark throughout the process. Read Here
5. Flyers Accusing Jews of Attacking ‘Free Speech’ Found at UCF
By Aaron Bandler
Flyers accusing Jews in Florida of encroaching upon “free speech” were found at the University of Central Florida. The title of the flyer was “Florida Jews Attack Campus Free Speech,” saying that an anti-Semitism bill that Gov. DeSantis signed into law “restricts legitimate criticism of Israel and the role of Jews in the US. The bill attacks the 1st Amendment by controlling what teachers may say about Jews and the Zionist state.” Read Here
6. Furman football player charged with vandalism, bringing guns on campus
By Ariel Gilreath and Conor Hughes
Dan Marwick Dodd III, a former Furman University football player, has been charged with vandalism after students found anti-Semitic symbols displayed on dormitory doors. Dodd was out on bond after bringing guns on campus when he was charged in connection to the vandalism. Read Here
7. Dozens flood Iowa State president’s office demanding response to racist messages on campus
By Danielle Gehr
Finding neo-Nazi writings on Iowa State University’s campus was the last straw for some students. Citing a string of racist incidents, more than 100 people gathered at President Wendy Wintersteen’s office. ISU senior Javier Miranda said they decided something needed to be done after messages such as “Heil Hitler,” “no trans rights,” and anti-Semitic slogans were scrawled in chalk throughout campus. Read Here
8. FSWC Files Access to Information Request After York U Student Union Rejects Application to Create Pro-Israel Club
By Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center filed a request to compel York University to turn over documents related to the student union’s rejection of a student-run pro-Israel club. A York student submitted an application to the York Federation of Students to create a Zionist club, but this application was rejected with no reasons given. In the meantime, an application for an anti-Israel club was accepted, ratified and funded by the student union. Read Here
9. Authorities investigating posters with swastikas found on ASU campus in Tempe
By Jennifer Martinez
Police are investigating after posters with swastikas were found on the Arizona State University Campus. “The flyer uses the hate symbol of the swastika but it also used the star of David but it was not meant to be in a good way.” Read Here
10. Wellesley, MA schools grapple with bathroom swastika, athlete called racial slur
By Deborah Brown
For the second time this year, Wellesley High School was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti. The affluent Massachusetts town is part of a growing list of cities and towns across the state experiencing similar incidents in the school system. Read Here
11. Principal and teacher at Utah school placed on leave after student dressed as Hitler
By Marcy Oster
The principal and a teacher at Creekside Elementary School in Kaysville, Utah have been placed on paid leave after a student dressed in an Adolf Hitler costume and participated in the schools Halloween parade. The student wore a brown long-sleeve shirt with a red swastika armband on the sleeve and a Hitler mustache. Read Here
12. Ridgewood High School official found swastikas in bathroom
By Keldy Ortiz
Three swastikas were found in a bathroom at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey. Building maintenance employees found the three swastikas in a bathroom stall. The surface was cleaned and there was no permanent damage. Read Here
13. Swastika, racial slur found in Ossining High School
By Christopher Eberhart
The rash of hate crimes seen throughout the Lower Hudson Valley continued in Ossining. A swastika and racial slur were found on a bathroom wall in Ossining High School, Ossining police said. Read Here
14. School principal fired for saying ‘I can’t say the Holocaust is a factual event’
By Victoria Bekiempis
William Latson, a high school principal in Boca Raton, FL has been fired after telling a parent “not everyone believes the Holocaust happened,” in regards to whether or not he would teach about the Holocaust at the school. The Palm Beach county school board voted 5-2 to fire on the grounds of “ethical misconduct” and “failure to carry out job responsibilities.” Read Here
15. Swastika graffiti found at elementary school in Edina, MN
By Adam Uren
Criminal charges will not be filed against a juvenile suspect who admitted to Edina Police Department to spray-painting a swastika and other symbols at an elementary school in Edina over the weekend. Along with the swastika, the letters “TOE” and a phallic symbol were painted on the building. Read Here
ANALYSIS
(4 Pieces)
1. ‘Never again’ is here and now
By Dani Dayan, Israel’s Consul General in New York City
Anti-Semitism in the US is approaching an all-time high. Government on all levels – federal, state and municipal – must adopt a zero-tolerance policy. It is our right and duty to demand far more concrete action than we’ve seen thus far. Modern anti-Semitism is different from its previous manifestations. It doesn’t always wave the flags of hatred; rather, it often seeks to conceal its hatred. But these views are just as dangerous as their predecessors, and we must stop them at all costs. “Never again” is right here and now. Read Here
2. We must study how online anti-Semitism leads to violence
By Matthias Becker
Anti-semitic, racist, and misogynistic attitudes have spread not only on right-wing supremacist platforms, but also on mainstream social media platforms. The lack of adequate research into online radicalisation is worrying; we still do not know the full impact of the internet when assessing trends in the nature and frequency of hate speech. We need to establish a new field of internet study that combines technological solutions with fields of expertise, such as studies on the various hate ideologies as well as applied linguistics. Read Here
3. A vote for Labour is a vote for anti-Semitism
By Stephen Daisley
What is at stake is something far bigger than tax or education or even Brexit: the character of the country itself. Those we once flattered as ‘moderates’ turned out to be so attached to Labour that no outrage could prise them away. Campaigning to make Corbyn prime minister — which is what every single Labour campaigner will be doing — is campaigning to give a democratic mandate to anti-Semitism. The Labour party (1900 – 2015) is dead. It died the day a majority of members voted to make their leader a man already plainly drenched in the moral sewage of anti-Semitism. The Labour party (2015 -) is Corbyn’s party. Read Here
4. The Sources of Anti-Semitism; Lebanon Protests; Israeli Politics Update
By People of the Pod
People of the Pod sat down with Deborah Lipstadt, Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University, to discuss her new book focusing on the sources of anti-Semitism and what we can do to stop it. Listen Here
STUDIES AND STATISTICS
(4 Pieces)
1. Special ISGAP Report: The Threat to Academic Freedom from National Students for Justice in Palestine
By Institute for the Study of Global Anti-Semitism and Policy
Ahead of the annual National Students for Justice in Palestine Conference, ISGAP released a comprehensive report about the anti-Semitic nature of NSJP. NSJP, under its “Points of Unity” statement calls for “ending Israel’s occupation and colonization of all Arab lands,” by which it means ending Israel’s existence on any land, under any conditions.
2. Anti-Semitic hate crimes in Sweden rise by 53% to all-time high
By Cnaan Lipshiz
The number of anti-Semitic hate crimes recorded in Sweden rose to a record high last year, jumping 53% to a total of 280 anti-Semitic crimes. The latest numbers are the highest on record. The Jewish population of 20,000 comprises approximately 0.2% of Sweden’s population. Read Here
3. Poll: Nearly Half of British Jews Say They Would ‘Seriously Consider’ Fleeing the Country If Corbyn Is Elected PM
By Zachary Evans
Forty-seven percent of British Jews would “seriously consider” emigrating if Labour party head Jeremy Corbyn is elected prime minister, according to a poll by Survation commissioned by the Jewish Leadership Council. The poll, also found that 87% of respondents believed Corbyn to be anti-Semitic. Read Here
4. RACIALLY AND ETHNICALLY MOTIVATED TERRORISM ROSE ALARMINGLY IN 2018
By Reuters
Ethnically and racially driven terrorism rose alarmingly in 2018 worldwide and in the US, and groups have often mimicked the tactics of armed Islamist militants to radicalize and recruit people, the U.S. State Department said. Nathan Sales, the State Department’s counter-terrorism coordinator, added that the 2018 attack by a gunman who killed 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh was an example of the rising trend. Read Here
FEATURED PARTNER
Combat Anti-Semitism is proud to be a partner of Christians For Israel International, a non-denominational movement that supports the State of Israel and the Jewish people, by opposing disinformation, anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, and fighting the boycott of Israeli products. Learn more about their important work in the video below.
1. Dutch Christians rebuff officials seeking labeling of Israeli settlement goods
By Cnaan Lipshiz
The van Oordt family, christian Zionist importers of Israeli goods, declined to comply with a government directive to apply special labeling for settlement products at their Israel Products Center and the Christians for Israel. The officials requested to visit the store and urge the van Oordts to apply the labels, as per regulations adopted by the European Commission. “Labeling was created to ensure food safety but has become a political tool to pressure the Jewish state,” said van Oordt. “These are anti-Jewish regulations to me. They mean separating products made by Jews and Arabs.” Read Here
Christians for Israel (C4I) is a non-denominational movement that believes that all Christians should be united in their love for the Jewish people, in their support for the nation of Israel and in their collective repentance because of Jewish suffering throughout Church history. Christians for Israel supports the State of Israel and the Jewish people, by opposing disinformation, anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism, and fighting the boycott of Israeli products. We do this by providing accurate information regarding Biblical, legal and historical issues to Christian leaders and media channels. Since its establishment in the Netherlands in 1979, C4I has developed into a growing global movement of local C4I operations with over 150,000 supporters from all Christian denominations.
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR & COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM UPDATE
This section also highlights the work of government officials around the world that are combating anti-Semitism in their official capacities.
(10 Pieces)
1. ‘Jews under attack 81 years after Kristallnacht’
By Arutz Sheva Staff
In a special emergency conference held in Jerusalem, President Reuven Rivlin met with special envoys and coordinators for combating anti-Semitism from Europe and the US. European Commission Coordinator on combating Anti-Semitism Katherina von Schnurbein, US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism Elan Carr, UK Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues Lord Eric Pickles, German Government Commissioner on Anti-Semitism Dr. Felix Klein and French Special Representative on Racism, Anti-Semitism and Discrimination Frédéric Potier reported on their work, the challenges their governments face and the ways to combat anti-Semitism. Read Here
Watch President Rivlin’s Address to the conference on the urgent need to combat anti-Semitism across the globe:
2. Rivlin urges ‘anti-Semitism czars’ to urgent action
By Noga Zisowitz
Speaking at a meeting of special envoys and coordinators combatting anti-Semitism hosted by Israeli President Rivlin, Special Envoy Elan Carr said “Many leaders around the world understand that anti-Semitism is not only against the Jews, but against society as a whole. It is a great honor to work alongside such leaders for a better and more just world, and I am proud to call them partners. “It is important that you know that my country, headed [by my] boss President Trump, and my boss Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, stand with you in the struggle for the security of Jewish people around the world and for the State of Israel.” Read Here
3. John Mann takes seat in House of Lords to start anti-Semitism adviser role
By Jewish News Reporter
Former senior Labour backbencher John Mann has taken his seat in the House of Lords. Lord Mann, who will sit on the red benches as a non-affiliated peer, will serve as an independent adviser to the Government on anti-Semitism, and was praised by community leaders for his role fighting Jew-hate. Read Here
4. Foreign Minister: Bulgaria is actively countering anti-Semitism, xenophobia and hate speech
By Sofia Globe Staff
At a meeting with the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva emphasised Bulgaria’s role in countering anti-Semitism and intolerance. “Bulgaria is proud of being a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Our government is active in countering anti-Semitism and hate speech. Ways to prevent all forms of intolerance were among the main topics of the meeting, with an emphasis on working with young people. Read Here
5. U.S. AMBASSADOR SLAMS MERKEL’S DISMISSAL OF IRAN’S CALL TO DESTROY ISRAEL
By Benjamin Weinthal
US Ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, has sharply criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government for its blasé dismissal of Iran’s threat to destroy the Jewish state. “Threatening the destruction of Israel is something that should not be dismissed, especially when the threats come from Iranian regime officials who regularly use terrorism as a weapon of intimidation. When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” Read Here
6. GERMANY TAKES ACTION TO COMBAT HATE CRIMES IN RESPONSE TO SYNAGOGUE ATTACK
By Toby Axelrod
Germany will require internet providers to report hate speech and threats online as part of a program to combat hate crimes driven in part by the deadly attack near a synagogue on Yom Kippur. It was not enough to express shock at the violent attack in Halle, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said announcing the Cabinet’s approval of the nine-point program. Action must be taken, including tightening gun control laws, he said. Read Here
7. US Special Envoy Elan S. Carr calls for education programs against hatred of Jews
By Judische Allgemeine
Anti-Semitism is a “global phenomenon” that needs to be addressed by internationally coordinated measures, Elan Carr told journalists in Berlin. A consistent approach against anti-Semitism is a moral obligation and necessity in the sense of “our entire future, the future of Jews and non-Jews.” Carr emphasized the importance of tolerance programs. In particular, young people should be taught what contributions Jews have made in society. Read Here
8. U.S. Targets Iranian Top Leader’s Inner Circle With New Sanctions
By Reuters
The US imposed sanctions on nine people close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including his chief of staff, one of his sons and the head of the judiciary. The U.S. Treasury Department said it also was blacklisting Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff. Separately, the U.S. State Department announced a new reward of up to $20 million for information that leads to the location, recovery and return of Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who was last seen in Iran. Read Here
9. European MP: We need to increase security ‘wherever Jewish life takes place’
By Raphael Ahren
Europe needs to do much more to protect its Jewish community, according to Karoline Edtstadler, the new head of the working group on anti-Semitism in the European Parliament. “In front of every synagogue, every Jewish school — anywhere where Jewish life takes place — there should at least be the awareness of the police, and depending on the risk assessment there also has to be the presence of the police [so that it] can act if there’s an attack. We can argue about whether police presence in front of synagogues is good or bad, but it’s clearly a necessity.” Read Here
10. Gottheimer condemns racist Ringwood, NJ graffiti
By Nikita Biryukov
Rep. Josh Gottheimer condemned anti-Semitic graffiti in Ringwood, NJ. “The swastikas scrawled on signs in Ringwood are a disgusting display of anti-Semitism that have no place in Ringwood…This hate-motivated crime in no way reflects the values of our North Jersey community, and, unfortunately, is further vile evidence that anti-Semitism is on the rise. Read Here
HUMANITY
(5 Pieces)
1. Europe’s largest Jewish community centre, opened by Emmanuel Macron, will be ‘Orthodox only’
By Shirli Sitbon
French President Emmanuel Macron opened Europe’s largest Jewish community center, at a time when many Jews have left because of growing anti-Semitism. The Center said its goal is to demonstrate France’s Jewish community was still strong. Read Here
2. Poway City Council set to approve Lori Lynn Drive in memory of shooting victim
By Marcy Oster
The City Council of Poway, California is set to name a street in honor of Lori Lynn Gilbert-Kaye, who was killed in the shooting attack on the Chabad of Poway in April. Eva Drive, a short street in northern Poway, will become Lori Lynn Lane. Read Here
3. Vilnius mayor wins praise for changing Lithuania’s Holocaust narrative
By Emerging Europe
Remigijus Šimašius, the mayor of Vilnius, has been praised for his efforts to correct the narrative around Lithuanian complicity in the Holocaust at a event organised by the American Jewish Committee. Earlier this summer, Šimašius oversaw two important decisions regarding Holocaust memory in Lithuania. The first was changing the name of a street honoring Kazys Skirpa and the second was removing a plaque honoring Jonas Noreika, an anti-Soviet fighter who was responsible for the imprisonment of Šiauliai Jews and seizure of their property during the Holocaust. Read Here
4. GERMAN CARDINAL: ANTI-SEMITISM IS AN ATTACK ON US ALL
By Ilanit Chernick
A prominent German cardinal has pledged that Jews and Christians will stand together in the fight against rising anti-Semitism in the country. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who is chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference and serves as the archbishop of Munich and Freising, said that “Christians and Jews will never separate again,” in the face of new anti-Semitism. Read Here
5. Grandson of Auschwitz commandant speaks to Toronto students during Holocaust Education Week
By Caryn Lieberman
At this years Holocaust Education Week in Toronto, one of the speakers was Rainer Hoss, who addressed his grandfather’s crimes against the Jewish people and discusses what he is doing to break the cycle of hate. Hoss spoke to hundreds of Northern Secondary School high school students and detailed the actions of Rudolf Hoss, his grandfather and the Nazi commandant of the Auschwitz extermination camp. Read Here
OVER 125,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 150 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.”
