Please read and share this weekly newsletter to help expose those who engage in anti-Semitism, highlight those working to defeat it and to gain important insights. Jews are again under attack around the world and we must each do our part so that together we can defeat anti-Semitism and improve humanity. Read these and other stories below.
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THIS WEEK’S CONTENT
TAKE ACTION
This section highlights opportunities for you to get involved in combating anti-Semitism. Read the content below to learn more.
(1 Piece)
1. 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)
UNITED STATES
(15 Articles)
1. RADICAL ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVIST ENDORSES BERNIE SANDERS
By Aaron Reich
Palestinian-American comedian Amer Zahr has been appointed a surrogate for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. The anti-Israel activist is a staunch advocate of the BDS movement and has tweeted statements such as “American Jews are starting to realize that Israel is their ISIS,” and “Describing defenders of Israel as ‘scumbags,’ ‘pigs,’ and ‘bastards’ is not necessary. ‘Zionist’ is sufficiently insulting.” Read Here
2. PRO-ISRAEL DEMOCRATIC GROUP: ‘DEEPLY DISTURBING’ SANDERS HAS ACCEPTED ENDORSEMENTS FROM BDS SUPPORTERS
By Aaron Bandler
Democratic Majority for Israel CEO Mark Mellman expressed concern that Sen. Sanders accepted recent endorsements for his campaign from supporters of BDS, saying they “have repeatedly made anti-Semitic statements.” “It’s deeply disturbing to find a candidate who claims to be ‘100% pro-Israel,’ opposed to BDS and a fighter against anti-Semitism surrounding himself with surrogates who hate Israel, support BDS and have repeatedly made anti-Semitic statements.” Read Here
3. LAUDER SLAMS DE BLASIO FOR TEPID RESPONSE TO ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS IN NEW YORK CITY
By JNS
World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder blasted NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio for the uptick in anti-Semitic crimes in the city. “Mayor de Blasio needs to understand press releases won’t fix the problem. We need actions, not words. As the elected leader of the city with the largest Jewish population in the U.S., Mayor de Blasio has a special obligation to take the lead on combating anti-Semitic violence.” Read Here
4. WEAPONS SEIZED FROM SUSPECTED WASHINGTON STATE NEO-NAZI
By AP
Police have seized military-style firearms from a neo-Nazi in Snohomish County in Washington state. Prosecutors and the FBI convinced a judge that “Kaleb Cole poses a serious threat to public safety by having access and possession of firearms and a concealed pistol license.” Officers seized five military-style rifles, three pistols and gun parts from his residence. Cole is the leader of The Atomwaffen Division in Washington state. Read Here
5. SWASTIKA FOUND PAINTED ON SIDEWALK IN SCOTTSDALE GREENBELT
By Spencer Blake
Inside a Scottsdale neighborhood some racist graffiti was catching people’s attention – a swastika on the sidewalk. The image was a little bit smeared, almost as if someone tried to scuff it up with their shoe. Russell Berry, who takes daily, early-morning walks there, discovered the anti-Semitic symbol. Read Here
6. ANTI-SEMITIC PROVOCATEURS PAPER MODESTO, CA CHURCH
By Gabe Stutman
Anti-Semitic hate flyers were posted at the College Avenue United Church of Christ in Modesto. The hate-filled flyers were discovered on the door of the sanctuary, and on a nearby traffic sign and fence. The flyers said “more children are molested by rich Jews than are killed by AR-15s,” and “Ban Jews, not guns.” It included photos of Jewish members of Congress, and the late financier and serial sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein. Read Here
7. KOBACH FIRES KANSAS SENATE CAMPAIGN AIDE OVER HATEFUL POSTS
By KCTV News 5
Republican Kris Kobach’s campaign for Senate in Kansas fired campaign aid Joe Suber after learning he regularly posted hateful comments about Jews on a white nationalist website. Kobach called Suber’s views “abhorrent” and repudiated them. His campaign said Suber ran errands and other small tasks. Read Here
8. 2 MEN IN CUSTODY IN LIMA, OHIO SYNAGOGUE BB GUN INCIDENT
By Jane Kaufman
Two men were charged for an incident in which Temple Beth Israel-Shaare Zedek in Lima was sprayed with BB gun pellets. One is awaiting trial and the other was sentenced to 10 days in jail. Read Here
9. TREE OF LIFE SAYS ITS BUILDING WILL REOPEN AS A ‘CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES’
By Marcy Oster
The Tree of Life synagogue will reopen as a “center for Jewish life in the US.” The vision for the property calls for the space to be a “cooperative and collaborative space that brings together stakeholders in a shared environment that includes places for Jewish worship, a memorial, education and social engagement, exhibit space as well as classrooms and training spaces.” Read Here
10. WATCH: PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING SURVIVOR OPENS UP ABOUT LOSING HER MOTHER IN THE ATTACK
By Gabe Friedman
Andrea Wedner remembers Oct. 27, 2018 in detail. She picked up her mother, Rose Mallinger, to go to Shabbat services at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Wedner was injured, but survived — her mother Rose did not. Wedner opened up to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about that tragic day. Read Here
11. SACHA BARON COHEN MAKES NAZI ANALOGY TO SLAM MARK ZUCKERBERG’S FACEBOOK POLICY
By JTA
Sacha Baron Cohen says that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg should take his role more seriously as the CEO of a private company. In a tweet thread, Cohen wrote that Zuckerberg allowing offensive speech on Facebook is like a restaurant welcoming anti-Semites who shout anti-Semitic insults. “He has every legal right, indeed a moral duty, to tell them to get the f**k out of his restaurant.” Read Here
12. NAZI ITEMS, BOMB MATERIALS AT FAIRGROUNDS GUN SHOW
By Rachel Droze
Nazi items and bomb-making components were for sale at a gun show on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Now, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Eddie Mauro is saying the fairgrounds is no place to sell anti-Semitic materials. Read Here
13. ‘HATE-FILLED’ GRAFFITI DISCOVERED AT WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION
By Rachel Kurzius
Anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered at a prominent temple in Washington, DC, prompting a police hate crime investigation. Washington Hebrew Congregation discovered anti-Semitic graffiti written in black permanent marker on the building’s rear doors and bricks. Read Here
14. EVESHAM TOWNSHIP POLICE INVESTIGATING SECOND INCIDENT OF MAN LEAVING ANTI-SEMITIC FLIERS ON VEHICLES
By CBS3 Staff
Evesham Township police are investigating a second incident where a man left anti-Semitic fliers on vehicles. The suspect for both incidents is described as an older white man with a medium build, a paunch and a comb-over hair style. Read Here
15. LOCAL POLS CONDEMN ANTI-SEMITIC FLIER FOUND IN NEW DORP, STATEN ISLAND
By Joseph Ostapiuk
An anti-Israel and anti-Semitic flier found in New Dorp is drawing the ire of elected officials in the borough. The flier contains a headline reading “911 was an outside job,” features a series of websites focused on Middle Eastern policy, Israel-connected 9/11 conspiracy theories and names of authorities who have made anti-Israel statements. The bottom of the flier reads: “No more wars for Israel” in all capital letters. Read Here
ISRAEL AND THE REST OF THE WORLD
(4 Pieces)
1. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE UK
5,000 urge UK to pressure PA to stop ‘paying salaries to convicted terrorists’
By MATHILDE FROT
Over 5,000 people have signed a petition calling on the British Government to pressure the Palestinian Authority to end its practice of paying salaries to convicted terrorists. The petition calls on the UK “to use its leverage as one of the major donors to the PA” to condemn this “reprehensible practice.” Read Here
Redditch Labour Party’s secretary resigns after sharing anti-Semitic messages
By Harry Leach
The branch secretary of Redditch Labour Party has resigned after it was found he shared anti-Semitic messages online. He had shared posts on his personal Facebook account suggesting Jewish people were behind terrorist groups and had profited from 9/11. Read Here
Disgust after swastika and anti-Semitic graffiti found carved on Leeds bus stop
By Susie Beever
A swastika and the words, “Lewis is a Jew”, were carved into the window of the bus shelter on Coal Road in East Leeds. The graffiti has been reported to West Yorkshire Police and Metro. Read Here
Louise Ellman: MP quits Labour over anti-Semitism concerns
By BBC
MP Dame Louise Ellman quit the Labour Party, saying Jeremy Corbyn is “not fit” to become prime minister. The Liverpool Riverside MP said in a letter she had been “deeply troubled” by the “growth of anti-Semitism” in Labour. Dame Louise, who is Jewish, has been a party member for 55 years but said she “can no longer advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM”. Read Here
Jewish girl, 17, reportedly verbally abused on bus before man tried to punch her
By Jewish News Reporter
A Jewish girl was subject to verbal and attempted physical abuse on a bus in Stamford Hill. The police are investigating after a man shouted “you Jews, you have it all good” at a 17-year-old girl on the 253 bus, before trying and failing to hit her. The perpetrator continued to insult Jewish people and nobody intervened. Read Here
Jeremy Corbyn faces claims of a stitch-up over candidate investigated for alleged anti-Semitism
By Lee Harpin
Jeremy Corbyn is facing claims of a stitch-up over the selection of candidates to fight the next election after the Momentum group endorsed a candidate for the Poplar and Limehouse seat who has been investigated over anti-Semitism. Apsana Begum sparked anger after it emerged she accused Tony Blair of spreading “Zionist propaganda.” Read Here
“DIRTY JEWS IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT”: MAN ARRESTED FOR ABUSE OF JEWS OUTSIDE SYNAGOGUE ON EVE OF SUKKOT FESTIVAL
By CAA UK
A man was arrested for threatening Jewish adults and children outside a synagogue in Stamford Hill, yelling “dirty Jews, it’s all your fault, you are rubbish” and waving his fists at them in a violent manner. The man was a repeat offender and was arrested by police. Read Here
Dundee Labour General Election candidate Jim Malone under fire for backing anti-Semitism row MP
By Derek Healey
Jim Malone, an activist selected as a Dundee Labour General Election candidate has courted controversy after backing MP Chris Williamson who was suspended in an anti-Semitism row. The Dundee West candidate called for Williamson to be reinstated in the Labour Party. Read Here
Ex-Scottish Labour chairman says he won’t vote Labour until anti-Semitism in the party ‘is sorted’
By Aleks Phillips
Jamie Glackin, the former chairman of Scottish Labour has said he will not vote for the party until its “anti-Semitism problem is sorted.” “I’m a Labour man. But I won’t be voting Labour again until the anti-Semitism problem is sorted. And if that gets me purged then I can live with that.” Read Here
Shuls urged to ‘keep doors closed and locked’ amid security threats
By Jewish News Reporter
Communities across the UK are being told to “keep doors closed and locked” in wake of recent security threats against places of worship. The Community Security Trust made the recommendation and was backed by six synagogue movements and the Office of the Chief Rabbi. Read Here
Orthodox man in Canvey Island harassed, threatened and mocked by yobs
By JTA
A Jewish man was harassed, threatened and mocked on the street in Canvey Island, until another local who is not Jewish chased off the offenders. The incident happened as the victim was paying his cleaner outside her home. Four young men began harassing the man, who is an Orthodox Jew. Read Here
JEWISH WOMAN PUNCHED IN STOMACH IN STAMFORD HILL
By CAA UK
A twenty-year-old Jewish woman was viciously punched in the stomach in an unprovoked attack by another woman. The incident took place in Stamford Hill and was reported by Stamford Hill Shomrim, a Jewish volunteer neighbourhood watch patrol. Read Here
Labour line up ‘Jew process’ councillor as Dame Louise Ellman replacement
By Lee Harpin
Labour activists are lining up councillor Jo Bird who was investigated for anti-Semitism earlier this year to replace Dame Louise Ellman, who quit the party saying Jew-hate was now “mainstream” in the party. Bird was suspended by Labour after a series of inflammatory speeches she made like there was a “privileging of racism against Jews” and also repeatedly joked about what she called “Jew process” at activist meetings. Read Here
2. IN-DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM IN GERMANY
German Politicians Accuse Right-Wing AfD Party of Encouraging Neo-Nazi Violence After Attempted Synagogue Massacre
BY Ben Cohen
German politicians sharpened their attacks upon the far-right “Alternative for Germany” Party. Politicians from all parties charged that the far-right party, which have enjoyed significant gains, was willfully fueling an atmosphere that encouraged neo-Nazi violence and terrorism. Read Here
Former Nazi concentration camp guard on trial in Hamburg
BY Tessa Clara Walther
One of the last trials against an ex-concentration camp guard began in Hamburg. The 93-year-old Bruno D. faces 5,230 counts of accessory to murder. Around 17 years old at the time, Bruno D. is said to have, as an SS sharpshooter, not only guarded the camp, but also murdered prisoners. Read Here
MAN ATTACKED IN BERLIN BY ANTI-SEMITIC ASSAILANT
By Benjamin Weinthal
Berlin police reported on that a 29-year-old man attempted to strike a 34-year-old man while voicing an anti-Semitic insult in the district of Kreuzberg. The police said that “the inebriated 29-year-old had to leave the premises shortly before, as he had already expressed anti-Semitism there.” Read Here
GERMAN POLITICIAN SAYS HALLE SHOOTING CAUSED ‘ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE’
By Hagay Hacohen
German politician Roland Ulbrich, a member of Alternative for Germany, took to social media to belittle the shooting attack on a synagogue in Halle. Ulbrich said the shooting only caused “property damage” and that “it wasn’t even an attempted murder in the synagogue,” “What’s worse?” He asked, “that a door was damaged or that two Germans were killed?” Read Here
AFTER SYNAGOGUE ATTACK, GERMAN LAWMAKERS UNDER FIRE FOR MEETING IRANIAN HOLOCAUST DENIER
By Benjamin Weinthal
Three members of the German Bundestag are facing charges of hypocrisy for meeting last week with Ali Larijani, an Iranian Holocaust denier who defends the obliteration of Israel. The Iranian regime-controlled Tehran Times media outlet shows a picture of Claudia Roth, vice president of the Green Party in the German parliament, greeting Larijani, the clerical regime’s parliament speaker. Read Here
German actress slammed for using synagogue shooting to promote clothing line
By Ilan Levinsohn
Russian-German actress Palina Rojinski was subjected to a backlash after she uploaded a post to Instagram promoting a joint venture with H&M, using the recent anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue in Germany. The post was published to draw attention for the company’s new clothing collection, which pledged to donate all of the campaign’s proceeds to organizations fighting racism and anti-Semitism. Read Here
BAUHAUS EXHIBITION IN GERMANY BLAMES ‘ZIONISTS’ WITH NAZI COOPERATION
By Jerusalem Post Staff
When the Nazis closed down the Bauhaus school they could not have foreseen it would have a huge impact on the first Hebrew city, Tel Aviv. Celebrating 100 years to the foundation of the Bauhaus movement, the city of Dessau opened the Bauhaus Museum with an exhibition titled ‘The Transfer Agreement,” about the Haavara Agreement that enabled 50,000 German Jews to reach pre-state Israel in exchange of 150 mil Reichsmarks. Read Here
Man with knife picked up near Jewish prayer room
By DPA News Channel
An apparently confused man, who visibly carried a knife with him, was picked up near a Jewish prayer room in Berlin by the police. The 22-year-old had been discovered by employees of the Central Property Protection near the prayer room of the Jewish community in the Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse. Read Here
3. IN DEPTH: THIS WEEK’S NEWS ON ANTI-SEMITISM ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
Tunisia’s new president regards any ties with Israel as ‘high treason’
By TOI STAFF
Kais Saied, Tunisia’s new president is a hardline opponent of any form of ties with Israel and called moves toward relations with the Jewish state “high treason.” ‘‘Normalization’ is the wrong word…We should be talking about high treason.” Saied said that Jewish people with no Israeli passport were welcome to visit the country’s synagogues. But he rejected “dealings with Zionists.” Read Here
Journalist calls for a revival of Abbas’s ‘Arab Keren Hayesod’ concept
By JNS
Palestinian journalist Muwaffaq Matar called for the adoption of P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas’s 1982 idea booklet titled “We Need an Arab Keren Hayesod,” which advocates establishing an “Arab Keren Hayesod” that would help Jews leave Israel. He wrote that the Zionist movement lured Jews to Palestine with false promises, and that their lives there have been nothing but “pain, difficulty, anxiety and loss”; therefore, many of them now wished to flee Israel, and helping them do so would benefit both them and the Palestinian cause. Read Here
Monitoring group: Palestinian Authority removes pacts with Israel from textbooks
By JTA
The Palestinian Authority removed information about agreements signed with Israel from its textbooks. The 2019 textbooks do not include the PLO statement calling for “coexistence,” “peace” and nonviolence with Israel, which appeared in the old version. The new curriculum also removes all information provided to Palestinian students about the ancient Jewish history of “Palestine” and the Jewish presence and connection to Jerusalem. Read Here
BBC ARABIC DESCRIBES HALLE SHOOTING AS ATTACK ON KEBAB SHOP AND DOES NOT MENTION ATTEMPTED SYNAGOGUE MASSACRE
By CAA UK
A report on the Halle synagogue attack on the BBC Arabic website fails to mention anti-Semitism or Jews, stating simply that “some German news outlets say it happened near a synagogue, but this cannot be confirmed.” The article reports that the assailant fired in the direction of a kebab shop, and that he “also threw a bomb on a cemetery”, without saying the cemetery was in the synagogue compound, which was the gunman’s primary target. Read Here
4. IN DEPTH: OTHER WORLD NEWS
Ukrainian-Jewish billionaire’s effigy doused with red paint outside synagogue
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A life-size effigy of Igor Kolomoisky, a Ukrainian-Jewish philanthropist, covered in red paint was placed at the entrance to a synagogue in Kiev. Kolomoisky has poured millions of dollars into Jewish and Ukrainian causes in the country. Those who placed the puppet at the synagogue wore camouflage fatigues and were not identified. Read Here
Ukraine’s chief rabbi sounds alarm over Jewish tycoon’s effigy
By AFP
Moshe Reuvan Azman, Ukraine’s chief rabbi urged authorities to quickly find and punish men who left a red-paint splattered effigy of Igor Kolomoisky on the steps of Kyiv’s main synagogue. Video published by Azman shows the young men throwing Nazi salutes and pouring red paint on the effigy. Read Here
Jewish man hiding kippah under his hat assaulted in Paris
By CNAAN LIPHSHIZ
A Jewish man in Paris who wore a hat to conceal his kippah was assaulted on the street by five Arab men who recognized that he was Jewish anyway. The men approached him demanding he give them money. The assailants ascertained that he was Jewish, tore his shirt, and beat him on his face, chest and legs. They then made him lie on the ground and threatened to stab him with a large knife. Read Here
‘DIRTY JEW’ GRAFFITIED ON JUDAICA SHOP IN FRANCE
By Anna Bresky
Another anti-Semitic incident struck France when owners of a Judaica shop in Lyon were awoken by pictures sent from their neighbors of anti-Semitic graffiti saying “Dirty Jews” sprayed across their storefront. Read Here
Knife-Wielding Muslim Man in Brussels Asks Passersby If They Are Jewish
By Cnaan Liphshiz
Belgian police arrested a Muslim man who asked passersby on a Brussels street if they were Jewish while holding a knife and shouting about Allah. No one was hurt in the incident in Koekelberg, a northwestern neighborhood of the capital. Police subdued the man in following an hourlong search. Read Here
Aalst Carnival makes fun of Jews again, despite anti-Semitism accusations over previous edition
Participants in the Carnival of Aalst released carnival ribbons making fun of UNESCO and Jews for the 2020 edition of the Carnival, after they were condemned for anti-Semitism in 2019. “There are no nasty things on them. They are not about gassing or concentration camps. We are not really making fun of Jews directly. The figures on the ribbons are all Jews depicted in a stereotypical fashion with a hat, ringlets, a hooked nose and golden teeth. “The sneer is aimed at UNESCO, but it is pretty difficult to find a funny image of that. So, we chose Jews.” Read Here
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found on Lithuanian Project Commemorating Jewish Life
By AARON BANDLER
Anti-Semitic graffiti was found on a project called “Walls That Remember”, depicting Jewish life before World War II in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. The graffiti shows a Jewish Star of David crossed out. 95% of Lithuania’s roughly 210,000 Jewish citizens were murdered in the Holocaust. Read Here
TEEN ‘SHOAH PARTY’ WHATSAPP CHAT OF HORRORS UNCOVERED IN ITALY
By Rossella Tercatin
A WhatsApp group named “The Shoah party” featuring dozens of teens was uncovered by Italian authorities. Child pornography, racist and anti-Semitic slurs, swastikas, ISIS propaganda videos, praises to Hitler and Mussolini were shared in the group. “Jews are just fuel. Where is the lighter?” read one of such messages. Read Here
Bulgaria’s 2019 local elections: Controversy erupts over Sofia municipal candidate’s Holocaust reference
By The Sofia Globe staff
Controversy has erupted after a Sofia municipal election candidate used an inappropriate reference to the Holocaust in a statement on the topic of transport in Bulgaria’s capital city. “The cheapest was when Jews travelled in horse-drawn carriages – completely free,” said Toma Belev, a candidate for Democratic Bulgaria in Sofia’s 2019 municipal elections. Read Here
Canadian imam: ‘Filthy’ candidates in elections support Zionism, homosexuality
By TOI Staff
Sheikh Younus Kathrada, an Imam in British Columbia, called candidates in the country’s elections “evil and filthy” supporters of Zionism who approve of homosexuality, warning Muslims they would be judged for their votes. Read Here
16-year-old charged after anti-Semitic calls in case of Australian Jewish Boy
By Rebecca Davis
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been charged for stalking after verbally abusing the mother of a 12-year-old boy who was recently revealed as the victim of anti-Semitic bullying. She received abusive phone calls for hours on Yom Kippur. “I was subjected to threats of home invasion, being bashed, my son being bashed and being silenced for good. She was called a “Jewish dog” and a “Jewish c***” as well. Read Here
ON CAMPUS
(12 Articles)
1. Sign of Jewish organization at UCF vandalized with anti-Semitic symbol
By Jessica Albert
The Orange County Sheriff and University of Florida Police Department are investigating anti-Semitic vandalism on the sign of the UCF Chabad. The vandals posted stickers to the Chabad sign that said “Love Not Hate” filled in with swastikas and Jewish stars. Read Here
2. Vandalism including swastikas, explicit messages reported at Furman
By Anne Maxwell
Some Furman University students in South Carolina returned from Fall break to find offensive drawings in their dorm. University officials said swastikas and sexually explicit messages and drawings were written on white boards in Blackwell Hall. Furman Police are investigating. Read Here
3. Students debate divestment [from Israel] at ACCRIP meeting at Brown University
By Olivia Burdette
Students spoke for and against Brown University divestment from companies allegedly contributing to human rights abuses in Palestine. Professor Chi-Ming Hai, chair of ACCRIP, said that before the committee begins to examine specific companies for divestment, “We ought to look at whether the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory qualifies as ‘significant social harm.’’ Read Here
4. Against Norman Finkelstein’s Anti-Semitism And His Normalizers [at Princeton University]
By Adam Hoffman
In his remarks on campus, Finkelstein attacked Jacob Katz, a Princeton student who has served in the Israeli army, as a “concentration camp guard.” Finkelstein asserted that U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a giant of the Civil Rights Movement, was corrupted by the “very rich Jewish community.” Finkelstein also accused Israelis of “drinking the blood of those children,” an explicit invocation of the medieval blood libel that was used as a pretext to exterminate Jews for centuries. Read Here
5. Watch: YOUTUBE SERIES DOCUMENTS CHALLENGES FACING U.S. JEWISH COLLEGE STUDENTS
By Tamar Beeri
A new Youtube series by the Ruderman Foundation documents the hardships of Jewish college students on campus. Each short clip shows interviews with Jewish students from different states describing their experiences with anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and their connection to their Jewish identity. Watch Elisa Ceasar’s story from City College of New York Read Here
6. SWISS UNIVERSITY BANS VIOLENT PRO-BDS ACTIVIST FROM EVENT
By Benjamin Weinthal
The University of Basel pulled the plug on an event with David Sheen, a violent pro-BDS activist who has been accused of anti-Semitism. Sheen is “known for his anti-Semitic and Holocaust-relativizing statements.” The Swiss-Palestinian Society invited Sheen to address the question: “Why did Likud establish the most reactionary rabbinical immigrants from America and its local supporters as the spearhead of a Jewish-Israeli expulsion movement?” Read Here
7. Anti-Semite Announces Participation In 2019 NSJP Conference
By BDS Report
Racist Ala’a Salem announced that she would again be speaking at the National Students for Justice in Palestine conference. In addition to her affiliation with these BDS groups, her comments online make her views all the more clear. For example, she tweeted, “Why did Hitler commit suicide?…He saw the gas bill. Pahhahaha.” Read Here
8. Student wore ‘Hitler wanted my kind alive’ T-Shirt
By Zoe Drewett
An investigation has been launched after a University of Leicester student was seen wearing the racist message ‘Hitler wanted my kind alive’ during a university bar crawl. The student was taking part in a ‘white T-shirt social’ which involves people scrawling messages onto blank tops. Read Here
9. Student activist group gives list of demands to University of Illinois
By Tiffani Homer
University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones issued a campus-wide apology to students for a presentation given by a student housing worker that contained anti-Semitic comments. Now, Students for Justice in Palestine is fighting back and gave the school two days to meet 10 demands including sending a new email to students stating the presentation didn’t contain anti-Semitic comments or they would “take immediate action”. If no action is taken, the group is calling for Chancellor Jones to resign. Read Here
10. UK teacher fired after joking about sending Jewish kids to ‘the gas chambers’
By JNS
A teacher at Newberries Primary School in Hertfordshire, England was fired after “joking” to pupils about “sending them to the gas chamber” if they failed to finish their work. The teacher told a class of 28 10-year-olds, including 11 who are Jewish “You better finish off your work quick, or I’ll ship you all off to the gas chambers.” The teacher was fired the next day. Read Here
11. Arrest Made For Racist, Anti-Semitic Graffiti At Burlingame HS
By Nick Garber
Police have arrested Logan Stone, a 20-year-old Burlingame, CA man, who vandalized Burlingame High School with anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist graffiti. Read Here
12. Parent from Vancouver private school says students shared anti-Semitic posts online
By Ben Miljure
A number of students from one of the most expensive private schools in Canada have been suspended or expelled for their role in anti-Semitic behavior. St. George’s School said the behavior took place both online and at the school. Students found anti-Semitic posts celebrating the Holocaust and reported them to school staff. Other objectionable behavior involved the Nazi salute being used on campus. Read Here
Real story
We highlight here the victims of anti-Semitism to raise awareness and to humanize the issue. Please continue to look for new stories here. If you have a story of your own to share, we want to hear from you! Contact us for more information.
Former US Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission, Richard Schifter, discusses his moving personal story of emigrating to the US as a teenager to escape Nazi persecution. Ambassador Schifter led a distinguished career advocating for the freedom of religious belief at the United Nations. Today Ambassador Schifter leads the American Jewish International Relations Institute and recently signed the Combat Anti-Semitism pledge. Watch Amb. Schifter’s inspiring story below.
ANALYSIS
(7 Pieces)
1. No separating anti-Zionist agitation from Jew-hatred
By Jonathan S. Tobin
The dismay at the events that took place at Bard should not be confused with seeking to suppress criticism of Israel. In fact, the efforts to silence a discussion of anti-Semitism made it plain that hatred of Israel can’t be separated from the anti-Semitism and racism, which are integral to the anti-Zionist movement. Its premise is the attempt to deny to Jews that which no one seeks to deny to other people and, as such, is an expression of prejudice. Read Here
2. How non-Jews can help Jews feel safe amid anti-Semitism
By MARGOT MITCHELL-NOCKOWITZ
Jewish people cannot keep ourselves safe alone. We cannot be our only true allies. We cannot constantly be the ones woodworking our own seats at the metaphoric table, awkwardly nudging ourselves in to ensure we get a place. For us to achieve our right to communal peace, those seats need to be there already not just out of solidarity, but out of respect for our culture and traditions. Read Here
3. Historic UN Report on Anti-Semitism, Behind the Excavation of the Pilgrims’ Path
By People of the Pod
Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, released the first UN human rights report wholly dedicated to anti-Semitism. Dr. Shaheed found that anti-Semitic incidents have created a “climate of fear” among Jews and refers to anti-Semitism as a threat that is “toxic to democracy.” On this podcast he shares the findings of his report and offer recommendations to states, civil society actors, and the UN. Listen Here
For More on the UN Report Read this Analysis: UN Finally Confronts Anti-Semitism as a Human Rights Problem. Read Here
4. Anti-Semitism’s perfect storm
By David Adler
There are several sources of anti-Semitism today which taken together comprise a ‘perfect storm’. They all need to be identified and dealt with. The most widely accepted definition of anti-Semitism is the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Australia became a full member on 4 June 2019. At a minimum, all federal and state bodies, including schools and universities, should formally adopt the working definition of the IHRA. While this [would] not solve anti-Semitism, it would be a powerful signal that Australia stands united against anti-Semitism. Read Here
5. Facebook is okay with spreading anti-Semitism
By By Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden
I found an anti-Semitic post on Facebook that ‘explained’ that ‘the’ Jews are now teaming up against Poland. After sucking Germany dry (in Holocaust compensations), they now eye the Poles as their next cash cow. So, I reported it to Facebook and received this review report:
“A specialist from our team reviewed the comment and confirmed that it doesn’t go against any of our Community Standards, including hate speech.” Can someone please tell Facebook that spreading negative stereotypes about oppressed groups is hate speech? Read Here
6. The ‘internet SS’: how the Halle murders follow a template established in Christchurch
By Jeff Sparrow
At one point during the Halle attackers’ video feed he smirks to the camera and says, “nobody expects the internet SS”. Increasingly, we should. The misfits embarking on racial murder sprees to the cheers of their online pals will not create a fascist revolution. They might, however, reinforce an association between far-right ideas and actual violence, opening up the fissures between racial populism and genuine fascism in a way that encourages a move from one to another. Read Here
7. ABOVE THE FOLD: ANTI-SEMITISM – PEOPLE DON’T CARE
By Micah Halpern
Not too long ago anti-Semitism was a tool that stimulated Jewish actions, activity and affiliation. Today, if it does not actively impact their lives, it is ignored. They are, obviously, Jewish but only peripherally. They’ll acknowledge that anti-Semitism is out there, but it does not touch them. We must move the rest of American Jewry into our camp. We must redirect the priorities of political parties and we must entice young adults. Not only must we battle anti-Semitism, we must bring more people under our tent. We must make people care. Read Here
STUDIES AND STATISTICS
(5 Piece)
1. U.S. still experiencing nearly record-high number of anti-Semitic incidents
By Tim Stelloh
The US is on track to record another year with a “historically high” number of anti-Semitic incidents. In the first six months of 2019, 780 cases were counted that include vandalism, arson and the distribution of white supremacist propaganda at synagogues and other Jewish institutions. States with large Jewish populations like California, New York and New Jersey saw the greatest number of anti-Semitic acts. Read Here
2. Hate Crimes Targeting Jews More Than Double in Year in England and Wales, New Data Shows
By Algemeiner Staff
The number of hate crimes targeting Jews in England and Wales more than doubled in a year, according to data published by the UK Home Office. A total of 1,326 such offenses were recorded in 2018/19, up from 672. Read Here
3. Clear Majority of Germans Perceive Increase in Anti-Semitism Over Past Year, New Poll Reveals
By Algemeiner Staff
TA majority of Germans believe that anti-Semitism is spreading in their country, according to a poll conducted after the attack in Halle. The poll revealed that 59% of eligible German voters agreed that anti-Semitism was rising, an increase of 19 points from a year ago. 35% didn’t think that hostility to Jews was increasing. Read Here
4. Lithuania’s Past, Anti-Semitism, and Israel
By Dr. George N. Tzogopoulos
Lithuanians approach their own history by honoring fighters for resisting Soviet rule – and ignoring their collaboration with the Nazis. The “victimization” approach precludes discussion about Lithuanian participation in the Holocaust. Recent threats to the Lithuanian Jewish community highlight the problem. Lithuania accuses Russia of sowing domestic discord via fake news on this issue, but the problem is real and needs to be addressed. Read The Full Report Here
5. BDS, Anti-Semitism, and Class
By Dr. Alex Joffe
Anti-Semitism, in part through BDS-fueled antipathy toward Israel, is becoming a signal of middle-class respectability. At the same time left-wing Western elites remain strongly anti-national, the working classes and other parts of the middle class are becoming renationalized. These and other class conflicts will shape anti-Semitism in the next decades.
FEATURED PARTNER
Combat Anti-Semitism is proud to be a partner of the American Jewish International Relations Institute (AJIRI), which was founded to educate the public on the UN’s program to delegitimize Israel. AJIRI was founded by Ambassador Richard Schifter, featured this week in our ‘Real Story’ section. Learn more about their important work in the video below.
1. The Bahrain conference: What many have overlooked
By Ambassador Richard Schifter
…The Bahrain conference directly addressed the most important political issue in the Israeli/Palestinian dispute: the Palestinian claim of a “right of return.” The Palestinians…have made it clear that they are not interested in a program designed to provide a better life for millions of Palestinians if it means giving up their plan to end the existence of the majority-Jewish state through mass immigration. It should be obvious that no government of Israel will sign a peace agreement that embodies a program to end its own existence. This outlook is supported by the UN General Assembly through its annual enactment of resolutions that support the “right of return.” How can we expect the Palestinian leadership to give up a claim that the UNGA endorses every year? Read Here
The American Jewish International Relations Institute (AJIRI) was established to monitor, track, and combat anti-Israel voting patterns at the United Nations. AJIRI works with concerned and committed Members of Congress, on a bipartisan basis, as well as with other motivated groups and individuals, to positively influence the countries who vote against Israel and the U.S. out of habit, inertia, or because they have never been properly engaged on the subject of their voting pattern.
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.
(6 Pieces)
1. German officials present plan to combat anti-Semitic violence, far-right extremism
By DW
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and his 16 state-level counterparts have agreed to measures aiming to prevent attacks like in the city of Halle. Seehofer underscored the necessity of making it more difficult for people who exhibit extremist tendencies to obtain firearms. Seehofer and his colleagues released a 10-point plan for addressing extremism. Read Here
2. Israel Envoy Demands Probe After Effigy of Jewish Tycoon Left at Ukraine Synagogue
By Reuters & Algemeiner Staff
Joel Lion, the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine asked police to find and punish people who left a red paint-spattered effigy of tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky on the steps of the main synagogue in Kiev. “Ukraine has to do more to fight anti-Semitism, if not, violence will spread from effigies to human beings.” Read Here
3. Gov. Wolf announces Statewide Remembrance Day, Flag lowering to honor Tree of Life victims
By Fox43 Newsroom
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a proclamation declaring Sunday, October 27, 2019, a day of remembrance and ordered state flags to half-staff on the one-year mark of the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue. The proclamation extends the City of Pittsburgh’s resolution declaring the day “Remember Repair Together Day” statewide. Read Here
4. [Australian] Jewish groups reap benefit
By GARETH NARUNSKY
Jewish organizations across Australia will benefit in the latest allocations from the federal government’s Safer Communities Fund, with more than $41.9 million going to fortify security at Jewish schools, places of worship and other community organizations across the wider community. Read Here
5. Anti-Semitism ‘toxic to democracy’, UN expert warns, calling for better education
By UN News
To counter anti-Semitism, which is “toxic to democracy” and poses “a threat to all societies if left unaddressed”, countries must invest more in education, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief has warned, speaking at UN headquarters in New York. Ahmed Shaheed reported his findings on the growth of anti-Semitism to the General Assembly and took part in a panel discussion on the importance of education in addressing the problem. Read Here
6. Czech lawmakers pass resolution condemning BDS movement
By Raphael Ahren
The lower house of the Czech parliament passed a non-binding resolution strongly condemning “all manifestations of anti-Semitism directed against individuals, religious institutions, organizations as well as the State of Israel, including the denial of the Holocaust.” It further rejects “any questioning of the State of Israel’s right of existence and defense” and “condemns all activities by groups calling for a boycott of Israel.” It calls on the government not to offer financial support to groups that promote a boycott of Israel and to intensify efforts to prevent anti-Semitism. It urges the government to provide “greater security” to people and institutions that could become the target of anti-Semitic attacks. Read Here
HUMANITY
(7 Pieces)
This section highlights the good deeds of Jews and others working to combat anti-Semitism in their communities.
1. Jewish group starts project to plant ‘Trees of Life’ in honor of synagogue victims
By JNS
The organization United With Israel is inviting people to sponsor the planting of more than 20 different fruit trees in Israel in memory of the 12 victims of the synagogue shootings in Pittsburgh and Poway, Calif. “Join us in planting 12,000 trees of life! Make the land even more beautiful in their memory.” Read Here
2. Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg pledges personal donation of $2.5 million to [fight anti-Semitism]
By JNS
The Anti-Defamation League announced that Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, pledged $2.5 million to the organization in support of ongoing efforts to combat hate in the US and Europe. The donation will be used to support anti-hate and anti-bias education programs, research and advocacy. Read Here
3. 5,000 Christians show their support for Israel at Jerusalem’s 64th Sukkot march
By Eliana Rudee
More than 5,000 Christians from all over the world gathered for the city’s annual Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) festive march around Israel’s capital. The arrival of the Christian pilgrims was facilitated by ICEJ (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem), which connects Christians around the world to Israel based on the biblical significance of Jerusalem and in support of its connection to the Jewish people. Read Here
4. Muslim, Jewish community leaders speak out against hate at lecture
By Carolyn Brodie
After shots were fired at the Tree of Life synagogue, Wasi Mohamed said the Pittsburgh Muslim community was prepared to support their Jewish neighbors. Mohamed, a Muslim community leader, addressed a small gathering of Pitt students as part of a “Speaking Out Against Hate: How to Combat Hateful Speech and Acts” lecture. He spoke alongside his friend Andrew Exler, a Tree of Life congregant and Jewish community leader. Read Here
5. Muslim group holds first Succot event
By Mathilde Frot
Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Muslims Against Anti-Semitism, and a Muslim interfaith leader has warned that levels of anti-Semitism are the “canary in the coal mine” for intolerance against other communities. “If Jewish communities are being targeted, you can bet your bottom dollar, other communities will be targeted.” Read Here
6. More than 1 million Jews expected to participate in this year’s Shabbat Project
By JNS
More than 1 million Jewish people are expected to keep Shabbat in 1,500 different cities around the world for the Shabbat Project, which takes place Nov. 15-16. Last year, an equal number of people in 101 countries, and 1,511 cities took part in the project. The theme of this year’s project is “Jump Together” in light of the rising tide of anti-Semitism around the world. Read Here
7. GERMAN MUSICIANS TAKE CENTER STAGE IN HALLE TO SAY ‘NO’ TO ANTI-SEMITISM
By Rossella Tercatin
Thousands of people attended a concert in Halle to honor the victims of the attack. The concert organizers said that the event “HalleZusammen” (Halle Together) was meant to send “a strong message against anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and right-wing extremism.” Popular German singers took the stage, as well as local opera performers and choirs. Read Here
OVER 125,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 140 ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE BELOW, 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.”
