1. FSWC Strongly Supports Federal Cabinet's Decision to Revoke Ex-Nazi's Citizenship

Yesterday FSWC expressed its strong support for the Canadian Federal Cabinet's decision to revoke ex-Nazi interpreter Helmut Oberlander's Canadian citizenship. This is the fourth time the 93-year-old's citizenship has been revoked, after the Federal Cabinet determined that Oberlander allegedly failed to disclose his involvement with Nazi forces in World War II. 

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2. Western University Responds to Allegations of Supporting Anti-Israel UN Mandate

Following an investigation into allegations that Western University has been providing in-kind support to the anti-Israel UN mandate of Michael Lynk - Western law professor and the UN's "Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967" - FSWC was disappointed to learn that the university is accepting that one of its professors is using university resources to further the UN bias against Israel. 

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3. FSWC's Holocaust Education Course Continues with Stories of Holocaust Survival

The Holocaust Educator Certificate Course continues this week at FSWC's Tom & Anna Koffler Tolerance Training Centre. Yesterday's focus was on the rise of Nazism, which included looking at the Nazi German education system and methods and means of disseminating the antisemitic ideology. Holocaust survivor Andy Reti shared his personal testimony and discussed the "Golden Rule" that he wants educators to focus on - which is to teach students to treat others in a way in which they wished to be treated. Today marked day three of the course, which included Holocaust survivor Faigie Libman sharing her personal testimony about growing up as a child in Lithuania along with her experience surviving both ghettos and concentration camps - specific memories that she refers to as "miracles." Her story moved everyone and illustrated the hope that can be found in such a dark period of human history.  

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4. EU Court Keeps Hamas on Blacklist of Terrorist Organizations

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in favour of keeping Hamas on its list of terrorist organizations. This decision comes after a 2014 ruling by a lower EU court that Hamas should be removed from the list, which the European Union Council appealed. According to a press release, the Court of Justice "reaffirms its case-law, according to which the Council may maintain a person or an entity on the list if it concludes that there is an ongoing risk of that person or entity being involved in the terrorist activities which justified their initial listing."  

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5. Protests Continue After Israel Removes Metal Detectors

The removal of the metal detectors at Temple Mount began yesterday, following days of protests and riots. According to a government statement, the Security Cabinet accepted recommendations to "incorporate security measures based on advanced technologies ('smart checks') and other measures." Despite this decision, the Islamic Waqf, Muslim religious leaders and Palestinian leaders have urged Muslim worshippers to maintain the Temple Mount boycott and continue protesting all security measures. 

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6. Trump Warns Lebanese PM That Hezbollah Poses Threat to Entire Middle East

During a press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri at the White House yesterday, Trump warned that Hezbollah poses a threat to Lebanon as well as the rest of the Middle East, particularly Israel. "The group continues to increase its military arsenal which threatens to start yet another conflict with Israel...With the support of Iran, the organization is also fueling humanitarian catastrophe in Syria," said Trump.

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From the Arab World

Following a vote bythe US House of Representatives yesterday in favour of new sanctions againstRussia, Iran and North Korea, Iranian President Hassan Rouhaniresponded by stating that Iran will reciprocate if the USimposes new sanctions. The bill must still make its way to the White House tobe signed into law or vetoed. 

In a joint statementyesterday, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain urged Qatar to take action to prosecute individualsand entities they've declared to be terrorists and extremists. The four stateswarned of future measures if Qatar fails to fulfill all of the demands. Qatarhas since responded, calling the group's blacklist a "disappointingsurprise" and stating that "all individuals with links to terrorismin Qatar have been prosecuted."

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Support Run4Freedom Day!

Help us raise $21,000 for Freedom Day by supporting FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo's half marathon. This money will enable 90 schools to attend this exceptional day created in honour of Simon Wiesenthal. This year's Freedom Day will welcome 3,500 elementary and high school students to stand up for human rights and listen to inspiring speakers. Join us to celebrate freedom and democracy at this year's must-see human rights event.For more information or to register, email Melissa Mikel at mmikel@fswc.ca.

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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.