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FSWC Releases Top 10 List of 2017's Anti-Semitic and Anti-Israel Incidents
On Friday, FSWC released its top 10 list of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents that took place in 2017. Topping the list is the hateful publication Your Ward News, which FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo calls the "worst of the worst offenders."
"Looking back at the year 2017, it was difficult to simply choose a list of 10 incidents, as there was clearly an overwhelming increase in anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents in Canada that have impacted the Jewish community immensely," said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. "Fortunately, it was also a year of positive steps being taken, as we witnessed hate crime charges being laid against the editor and publisher of Your Ward News and police continuing investigations into numerous other incidents."
German Police Arrest Canadian Holocaust Denier
FSWC applauds the action taken by police in Germany, who arrested Canadian Holocaust denier Monika Schaefer last week on alleged Holocaust denial-related charges in Munich, Germany, as confirmed to FSWC by Germany's Bavarian State Police. Online videos which formed the basis of complaints in Canada back in 2016 captured Schaefer, a former Green Party candidate, claiming that there were no death camps or gas chambers during the Holocaust - which she calls the "six million lie."
With students back in school this week, consider giving your support to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center. The Center provides numerous educational programs to schools and teachers throughout the year aimed at increasing knowledge about the Holocaust and promoting human rights and tolerance.
German Bill to Allow Deportation of Migrants Guilty of Antisemitism
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative alliance is planning to propose a draft bill that will make it easier to deport migrants guilty of expressing antisemitism. The alliance hopes to present this new bill - which states "anyone who rejects Jewish life in Germany or questions Israel's right to exist can not have a place in our country" - by International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. This bill comes after a recent study revealed antisemitism is rampant among Muslim refugees in Germany.
Israel Reveals List of Pro-BDS Groups to Be Banned from Entering Country
Yesterday Israel published a list of 20 groups whose members will be banned from entering the country because of their support for the anti-Israel and antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This list follows up on a law Israel enacted in 2017 that bans any activist who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel." The list includes organizations from France, Sweden, US, Chile, South Africa and other countries around the world.
Court Sentences German Neo-Nazi to Prison for Mocking Holocaust
A German court sentenced a 32-year-old neo-Nazi to 18 months in prison on Thursday for incitement after he posted an image of a miniature of Auschwitz on Facebook with an offensive caption. The judge stated the man - who was previously charged for criminal assault and posting a photomontage of Adolf Hitler in combination with a swastika and firecrackers - "made fun of Auschwitz survivors," which is "very bad."
Israel Sees Increase in Rocket Attacks, Decrease in Terror Attacks in 2017
According to the IDF, more rockets were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip in 2017 than in the two previous years, while Israel also saw a decrease in terror attacks from the West Bank. A total of 35 rockets were fired toward Israel in 2017, compared to 15 in 2016 and 21 in 2015. Meanwhile, there were 99 terror attacks against Israelis in 2017, compared to 269 in 2016.
From the Arab World
ISIS has declared war on Hamas, as seen in a new propaganda video where the terrorist group urges followers to mount attacks on Hamas positions in Gaza. ISIS has accused Hamas of not doing enough to stop the US from recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and in 2015 criticized Hamas for its lack of religious fundamentalism.
The US declared on Thursday new sanctions against Iran, targeting five subsidiaries of an Iranian industrial group which, according to the US, are "key entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile program." The sanctions came after widespread anti-government protests took place in the Middle Eastern country. The US Treasury Secretary stated the Iranian regime prioritizes the ballistic missile program "over the economic well-being of the Iranian people."
Reserve Your Seats for the 2018 Spirit of Hope Benefit
Join us at the 2018 Spirit of Hope Benefit for an exciting evening in celebration of the rights and freedoms championed by FSWC. This year, 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan will be the host and moderator of the event, joining our panel of speakers - former prime minister of Canada Stephen Harper, former prime minister of Israel Ehud Barak and former prime minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar - for an evening of lively discussions.
To register, click here or contact Tracey Steyn at tsteyn@fswc.ca, 416-864-9735 ext. 21
Learn more about Spirit of Hope
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.
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