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FSWC Denounces Apparent Van Attack Steps from Toronto Office

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center is shocked and saddened by today’s ramming attack in Toronto that killed at least nine people and injured 16 others. Police say the incident occurred Monday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m., and the suspect and the van are both in police custody. The incident took place outside the FSWC office. All staff members are accounted for and safe. FSWC sends heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families and thanks police and first responders for their swift response.

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Peel Region Sees Drastic Uptick in Reported Hate Crimes for 2017

Peel Regional Police has released its 2017 Annual Hate/Bias Motivated Crime Report revealing a drastic uptick in the number of annual reported hate crimes, rising from 59 total incidents in 2016 to 158 last year. The Jewish community was targeted 36 times in 2017, up 13 incidents from the year before and accounting for 22% of all reported hate/bias crimes in the region. This report was released after Toronto Police Service released its hate crimes report, revealing a 28% increase in hate crimes in 2017.

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Tour for Humanity Rolls Into North Bay

FSWC's Tour for Humanity is heading to North Bay this week, visiting local high schools to provide Holocaust and human rights workshops to students. This will be the third year the bus is visiting North Bay. Issues and topics to be explored include racism, antisemitism, genocide as well as current issues such as cyber-bullying and intolerance.

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European Parliament Condemns Hamas for Terror, Use of Human Shields

On Thursday, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution that condemns Hamas as a terrorist group that uses human shields and calls for Israel’s destruction, and also calls for the release of Israeli citizens and fallen soldiers that are being held by Hamas. The resolution passed following a 524-30 vote with 92 abstentions.

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Hundreds of French Dignitaries and Stars Sign Manifesto Denouncing ‘New Antisemitism’

More than 300 French dignitaries and stars have signed a manifesto condemning what they call a ‘new antisemitism” marked by “Islamist radicalisation.” Since 2006, there have been numerous attacks against Jewish people in France, including a deadly shooting of three schoolchildren and a teacher at a Jewish school in 2012, a hostage-taking at a Jewish supermarket in Paris in 2015, and most recently the murder of a Holocaust survivor.

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From the Arab World

An Islamic State suicide attack in capital city Kabul, Afghanistan killed at least 57 people and wounded another 119 on Sunday. The attack took place outside a voter registration centre during election preparations. US Ambassador to Afghanistan John Bass condemned the attack, stating, "This senseless violence shows the cowardice and inhumanity of the enemies of democracy and peace in Afghanistan."

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Spirit of Hope Is Coming Up!

On May 30th, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto will once again be home to the annual Spirit of Hope Benefit. This year we welcome former prime ministers Stephen Harper, Ehud Barak and Jose Maria Aznar along with 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan as the evening's panel of speakers.To register or for more information, contact Tracey at tsteyn@fswc.ca or 416-864-9735 ext. 21.

Register for Spirit of Hope 2018

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FSWC Wants to Hear From You

Passionate about an issue in the news or your community? Does it align with FSWC's mandate? Then we want to hear from you! FSWC is inviting you to submit reflections on issues that matter to you and the community. While we won't be publishing anything just yet, we will be taking all submissions into consideration for future projects.

Submit reflections to aborisovsky@fswc.ca.