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Israeli Flag Raised at Toronto City Hall Amid Noisy Protest
The Israeli flag was raised yesterday at Toronto City Hall in recognition of Yom Ha'atzmaut, with city councillors and other politicians attending the ceremony with representatives of Jewish groups, including Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC). Mayor Olivia Chow skipped the ceremony, telling reporters she considered raising Israel’s flag on the podium overlooking Nathan Phillips Square to be provocative during the war in Gaza.
York School Board to Change Jewish Faith Symbol Amid Complaints
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) said it's replacing the menorah with the Star of David as the defining Jewish symbol in its multifaith calendar after coming under fire for avoiding the symbol due to concerns over its "political connotations with the state of Israel."
"Amid the current surge in antisemitism in this country, we are seeing aspects of Jewish identity, including the Star of David, attacked and demonized and increasing attempts to misconstrue it as political or even illegitimate," said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, FSWC's senior director of policy and advocacy.
We Won’t Let the Haters Make Zionism a Dirty Word
"The thin veil of anti-Zionism shouldn’t give protesters impunity to perpetrate hate and spew venom at Canadian Jews," writes FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt in his latest Toronto Star column. "This tactic should be no more acceptable than using the word 'Jew' because the large majority of Canadian Jews are Zionists, who want a safe and secure Jewish state of Israel."
Canada’s Antisemitism Envoy Says Jew-Hatred Is at a High — and May Get Even Worse
Six months into her role, Deborah Lyons sees an already dire situation exacerbated by the October 7 atrocities, saying the problem must be confronted at all levels.
Jewish Students Tell Commons Committee They're Terrified by Campus Antisemitism
Jewish university students told a parliamentary committee Thursday their universities have failed to protect them from antisemitic incidents on campus since the start of Israel's war on Hamas.
Paris Holocaust Memorial Hit with Red Hand Graffiti
Some 20 red hand symbols were found beneath the Wall of the Righteous in Paris, which honours individuals who saved Jews from persecution during the 1940-44 Nazi occupation of France. The memorial was found vandalized on the anniversary of the first major round-up of French Jews under the Nazis in 1941.
Israel Places 5th at Eurovision, Propelled by Audience Voting from Around the World
Israel's representative at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Eden Golan, placed fifth on Saturday night after performing her song "Hurricane." Despite intense protests against her participation, including from other competitors, Golan's success was fueled by the popular vote, which Israel won in 14 countries.
Israel’s Population Reaches 9.9M on 76th Independence Day
Israel's population has reached 9.9 million people, just in time for the country’s 76th birthday celebrated yesterday. This marks an increase of 189,000 individuals, or 1.9 per cent, compared to last year’s figures.
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 advocacy@fswc.ca.
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