1. Stephen Harper at AIPAC: BDS theMost Serious Threat to Israel

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke outstrongly against the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaignyesterday in Washington at the 2017 American Israel Public Affairs Committee(AIPAC) policy conference. Harper told those who gathered that “the BDSmovement is about translating the old ideology of anti-Semitism into somethingacceptable to a new generation. It is incumbent on all of us to be as vocal andas loud in our denunciations [of BDS] as we can possibly be.”

2.Anti-BDS Bill Passes in Texas Senate, Anger Grows Over Controversial BDS BankAccount

In another anti-BDS victory, senatorsin Texas passed a bill last week which bars the government of Texas fromdoing business with firms that boycott Israeli products. The bill is set to bevoted on by Texas’ House of Representatives. However, there is a growing uproarin Texas over a controversial bank account that Dallas-based Comerica Bankhosts for the pro-BDS and anti-Israel International Association of DemocraticLawyers (IADL) – with many saying the account should be closed.

3. Arkansas State Legislature PassesLaw to Bar State Agencies from Doing Business with Israel Boycotters

On Friday, the state of Arkansas joined the growing list of statesthat bar business with firms that boycott Israel, passingan anti-BDS bill in the Arkansas state legislature by a vote of 69-3.

4. United Kingdom Puts UNHRC ‘OnNotice’ Over Anti-Israel Bias

Thegovernment of the United Kingdom released a statement before the weekend which places the United Nation Human Rights Council “onnotice” for its “disproportionate focus on Israel.” The statement condemned thecouncil’s “unacceptable pattern of bias” against Israel, and acknowledged that“renewed Hamas efforts to rebuild their tunnels are a grave concern. Thescourge of anti-Semitic incitement and glorification of terrorism continue.”

5. Palestinian Activist Who Didn’t TellAmerican Immigration Officials About Israel Bombings Will Leave U.S.

A prominentPalestinian activist from Chicago, Rasmea Odeh – who failed todisclose to American immigration officials that she was convicted of two bombingsin Israel in 1969 and spent a decade in an Israeli jail – will leave the United States, accordingto her lawyer. Her attorney told media that she will not stand to face a secondtrial regarding her lie to American immigration officials after appealing her2014 conviction, and plans to plead guilty to all charges at her next courtappearance on April 25, then leave the United States, in exchange for servingno prison time.

FSWC at Work

Last weekalone, FSWC educators aboard FSWC’s state-of-the-art mobile learning classroom,the Tour for Humanity, visited sixcities, taught 33 workshops, travelled over 700 km and inspired more than 1,350students. Further, FSWC Director of Education Melissa Mikel was joined by FSWCMember Sasha Weisz last week in meetings with the Hamilton Wentworth DistrictSchool Board (HWDSB), the Hamilton mayor's office and Hamilton Chief of PoliceEric Girt to discuss FSWC’s ground-breaking educational programs, and how tobest partner on initiatives moving forward. Finally, preparations continue forFSWC’s sixth-annual Speakers Idol competition this Wednesday at the TorontoCentre for the Arts – with our list of finalists announced just before lastweekend! We are looking forward to an evening of motivation, inspiration andincredible student activism!

PHILANTHROPYCORNER

FSWC is a designated Canadian charitableorganization that provides tax receipts for charitable contributions. Adonation to FSWC is tax deductible and provides an incredible footprint ofdirect action in our community. If you want to change lives and provide forpositive community development, consider extending your philanthropy to Friendsof Simon Wiesenthal Center this fall. Make it count.