Intelligence Brief
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1. FSWC Expresses Concern About Incredible Hate at Woodbridge College
On Friday, FSWC received an anonymous tip with photographs of hate graffiti at Woodbridge College in Vaughan, Ontario. The incident, which was discovered on Thursday, was sent to FSWC to expose antisemitism and have it publicly discussed. At least three swastikas were drawn on school buildings, with one adjacent to a phallic symbol and another drawn as part of a massive Nazi flag. Avi Benlolo, FSWC President and CEO, has been in conversation with York Regional Police and lead inspectors of the Hate Crimes Unit, who continue to investigate the incident. Following the incident, Benlolo also spoke with Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and encouraged him to issue a statement of condemnation - which was released on Sunday.
"There's a compounding effect - we're seeing more antisemitism on university campuses, other churches are more vocal about condemning Israel, and then you have rallies such as Al Quds Day, with Holocaust deniers protesting downtown, next to Queen's Park - and deniers threatening Jews with annihilation," Benlolo said when speaking with the Toronto Sun. During an interview with The Algemeiner, Benlolo stated that police are "close to finding whoever did it" and that "once somebody is caught and the act is determined to be a hate crime, and charges are brought and made public," these types of incidents would begin to decrease.
2. Ontario Court Upholds $1.7B Judgment Against Iran
Yesterday, FSWC commended the Ontario Court of Appeal for upholding a judgment in favour of American victims of terrorist acts committed by Hamas and Hezbollah - two terrorist groups that are supported by Iran. FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo stated that the court's decision reaffirms the importance of Canada not normalizing relations with Iran - a country that has been a consistent human rights violator and has called for the destruction of countries such as Israel.
3. UNESCO Once Again Votes Against Israel's Sovereignty in Jerusalem
FSWC condemns yesterday's attack against Israel during a UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Krakow, Poland. Ten states voted in favour of a proposed resolution, which denies Israel as the sovereign power over Jerusalem, condemns the country for conducting archaeological excavations in the Old City, and calls Israel an "occupying power."
4. North Carolina Passes Anti-BDS Legislation
North Carolina has become the latest state in the U.S. to pass legislation which opposes the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the State of Israel, following the lead of more than 20 other states which have passed similar legislation. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) is expected to sign the legislation into law in the coming days.
5. U.S. Congressman Criticized for Making Political Video Inside Gas Chamber at Auschwitz
U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana is facing criticism after recording a five-minute political video inside a gas chamber at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial in Poland, with many people accusing him of insensitivity to the victims of the infamous Nazi death camp. In response to the video, the museum tweeted, "Everyone has the right to personal reflections. However, inside a former gas chamber, there should be mournful silence. It's not a stage."
6. Indian PM Narendra Modi Begins Historic Visit to the Jewish State
The Prime Minister ofIndia, Narendra Modi, kicked off his historic 48-hour visit to Israelyesterday, which is aimed at celebrating 25 years of diplomaticrelations between the rising South-Asian power and the JewishState. Jewish-Indians are one of the fastest growing communities in theJewish world, and many Indians and Israelis have deep family and communityconnections.
From the Arab World
Iran announced this week thatthe Tehranregime will be investing an additional $600 million in its missileprogram and the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC), calling support of the missile program "the only available meansof confronting enemy threats."
In a Facebook post on Friday,Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas Fatah expressed his commitment to reinstatinga monument that pays tribute to terrorist Khaled Nazzal - who carriedout the 1974 "Ma'alot Massacre" that resulted in 22 children beingmurdered. This came one day after IDF forces entered the Palestinian city ofJenin and dismantled the monument.
Russia,Iran and Turkey met today to continue discussions on the developmentof safe zones in Syria - but failed to finalize the boundaries of the zones orwho will police them. According to sources close to the Syrian rebel delegation,representatives of the three countries had prepared documents - which willlikely be adopted next week in Tehran - to implement a ceasefire in Syria anddeploy forces in the predetermined zones.
FSWC at Work
On January 27 and 28, FSWC willbe hosting its third annual National Policy Conference on Holocaust Education.Preparations are underway for this innovative and impactful conferenceexperience that will feature a panel of renowned Holocaust and human rightseducators and experts. The conference is supported by numerous school boardsacross the country - including Regina Catholic Schools, Hamilton WentworthDistrict School Board, and Durham District School Board. FSWC invites educatorsand law enforcement personnel to be part of the conversation, which willinclude discussions about the history of Holocaust education and bestpractices.
Toregister, email education@fswc.ca or call 416-864-9735 ext. 40
PHILANTHROPY CORNER
FSWC is a designated Canadian charitable organization that provides tax receipts for charitable contributions. A donation to FSWC is tax deductible and provides an incredible footprint of direct action in our community. If you want to change lives and provide for positive community development, consider extending your philanthropy to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center this summer.
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