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Threatening Antisemitic Message Left on Garage Near Canadian University
Toronto police are investigating after a threatening antisemitic message, which read "shoot a Jew in the head," was drawn on the wall of a parking garage near York University. FSWC spoke out about the graffiti last week, stating, "such vile hatred breeds violence and must never be tolerated."
22 Countries Lash UN Rights Council for Report Blaming Israel for Conflict
Twenty-two countries issued a joint statement on Monday to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) rebuking a Commission of Inquiry report that blames Israel for the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. The statement accuses the UNHRC of "long-standing, disproportionate attention given to Israel."
FSWC commended Canada and the other countries for denouncing the Council's anti-Israel bias, with President and CEO Michael Levitt stating, "It is encouraging to see Canada and many other countries stand up to the UNHRC's ongoing efforts to delegitimize and vilify the State of Israel... This so-called ‘human rights’ council must be held accountable for stoking the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and being an obstacle to the advancement of peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Jewish Parents Alarmed About Rise in Antisemitism at Schools
Jewish parents went to Ottawa’s largest school board last week to warn that their children are experiencing a rise in antisemitism at school, with behaviour ranging from a student making a Nazi salute to classroom conversations that seem to target Israel as responsible for all the problems in the Middle East.
"The series of antisemitic incidents that have taken place at Ottawa schools over the last few months, in addition to anti-Israel walkouts, is extremely concerning. We stand with the Jewish students and parents who are seeking more action from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board," FSWC stated in an online post.
BC Government Reaffirms Commitment to Fight Antisemitism
In a letter shared earlier today on Twitter, British Columbia Premier John Horgan stated the Province of British Columbia "fully supports the Federal Government's adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism" and the province will be engaging and consulting with the Jewish community to "develop solutions to address any identified rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism within government programs, policies and services."
Calls to Abolish Canada Terror List at Event on Ottawa City Property
During an event at the city-owned Foster Farm Community Centre on June 3, Khaled Barakat, who has ties to the terror group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), complained about "Palestinians and Arab organizations" being included on Canada's list of terrorist organizations and called on Canada to abolish the list. The City of Ottawa had reportedly refused to stop Barakat from speaking on city property.
Inside Tunisia’s 2,000-Year-Old Jewish Community: Discrimination and a Glimmer of Hope
There has been a recorded Jewish population living in Tunisia for over 2,000 years. Over the course of those millennia, Tunisia’s Jewish population both has been subjugated and has thrived.
How the Power of Music Helped a Holocaust Survivor Reclaim His Life
Composer and Holocaust survivor Leo Spellman always dreamed of telling the world what happened. His musical masterpiece, lost for more than 50 years, and his secret wartime diary are the framework for his remarkable tale of survival featured in the documentary The Rhapsody, which premieres at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival today.
Anti-Jewish Medieval Sculpture Can Stay on Church, Top German Court Rules
Germany’s top court ruled on Tuesday that a medieval antisemitic sculpture can stay on the facade of a church in the eastern town of Wittenberg, rejecting an appeal by a Jewish plaintiff who has for years argued it is an insult to all Jews.
Pride Parade in Tel Aviv Draws Tens of Thousands
Tens of thousands of people attended this year’s Pride Parade in Tel Aviv on Friday, celebrating the LGBTQ community and calling for equality in the largest annual gathering of its kind in the Middle East.
Report Antisemitism and News of Concern to FSWC
If you would like to report antisemitism or news of concern to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, please email jaime@fswc.ca.
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