Poland Amends Misguided Holocaust Law, Removes Threat of Jail Time

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) notes today’s move by Polish legislators to amend aspects of the country’s misguided Holocaust law. In a 388-25 vote with five abstentions, lawmakers in the lower house of parliament approved changes that would remove the threat of jail time for anyone who implied the Polish government or people were complicit in Nazi atrocities. Poland’s upper house approved the changes shortly after and President Duda signed the updated text into law.

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Durham Student Uses Speaker's Idol Change-Maker Grant to Host Differing Abilities Day at School

Speaker's Idol elementary school winner Grace Patterson was the winner of the $600 Change-Maker Grant in memory of Holocaust survivor Bill Glied. Grace used the money to support a Differing Abilities Day at her school in Blackstock, which saw students learn about disabilities such as blindness or deafness by taking part in simulated challenges.

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More Than a Dozen Rockets Launched Into Israel Wednesday Morning

Thousands of civilian residents in southern Israel were sent to bomb shelters and safe rooms after more than a dozen rockets were fired into Israel early Wednesday morning. At least three of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defence system. The rockets came hours after the Israeli military fired on a vehicle belonging to a Hamas operative and two Hamas observation posts. 

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US Quietly Freezes Aid to Palestinian Authority: Report

According to i24NEWS, the US has reportedly quietly frozen its aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA) pending review. This move comes two months after Congress passed the Taylor Force Act, which orders any aid to the West Bank and Gaza that "directly benefits the PA" to be suspended until it's confirmed that the PA has met four conditions, including terminating payments to terrorists and revoking laws that authorize this compensation.

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Romania Adopts Legislation That Combats Antisemitism

Last week, Romania adopted legislation that combats antisemitism by incriminating the promotion of antisemitic ideas, distribution and dissemination of antisemitic materials, and the initiation and the creation of an organization with an antisemitic character. According to the new law, these crimes are punishable by imprisonment ranging from three months to 10 years.

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From the Arab World

Tens of thousands of shekels were seized from the family of Palestinian terrorist on Wednesday, with Israeli police stating the money was paid as a stipend by the terrorist group Hamas. The terrorist shot eight Israeli students back in 2008 and wounded 11 others. “The activities carried out this morning were another step in the general actions of the Israel Police and security forces to prevent, thwart and stop those directly involved in riots or terror activities in Jerusalem, and also against those who encourage and support terrorists,” police said in a statement.

Three hospitals in rebel-held southwestern Syria were forced out of service overnight following bombardment by President Bashar al-Assad's pro-government forces. Over the last 10 days, at least 45,000 civilians have been uprooted as forces aim to restore control over rebel-held areas at the borders with Jordan and the Golan Heights.

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Happy Multiculturalism Day, Canada!

Ahead of Canada Day, we celebrate Canada as a land of diversity, inclusivity, freedom and democracy. Through educational programs and advocacy initiatives, FSWC empowers Canadians every day to speak out against hate and intolerance and stand up for everything that Canada represents.

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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 aborisovsky@fswc.ca.