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York University Allows for Jewish Club after FSWC Intervenes and Files Access to Information Request

After initially rejecting a pro-Israel student club, the York University student union abruptly changed course and ratified the club on Friday following an aggressive advocacy effort by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, including filing an Access to Information request under Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in order to compel the university to turn over documents related to the rejection of the pro-Israel club.

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FSWC Condemns Antisemitism at McGill Daily

FSWC condemns the blatant antisemitism and discrimination that has taken over the discourse and practice at the McGill Daily, one of the largest student newspapers in Canada. In an editorial in Monday’s edition, Daily editors falsely described Zionism as a “colonial movement,” a “racist attitude” and “a violent practice,” and advised students who wanted to learn more about Zionism to refer to a leading BDS website for more information.

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FSWC Calls on NDP to Reject Palestinian Organization that Denies Holocaust

FSWC has reached out to senior policymakers in the federal NDP to demand they cut any ties to a BDS organization that denies the Holocaust. Last weekend, the Canada Palestine Association posted on its Facebook page that Jews – who they refer to as ‘Zionists’ – “did NOT suffer the Holocaust, in reality they collaborated with the Nazis.”

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Investigation Underway After Large Swastikas Spray Painted at Community Skate Park in Moncton

Police are investigating after two large swastikas were found spray painted at a community skate park in Moncton. According to reports, the graffiti was discovered Friday night and was quickly cleaned up the next morning.

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German City of Dresden Declares 'Nazi Emergency'

City councillors in Dresden, Germany recently passed a resolution warning that the far-right has been growing in strength in the city - with one councillor declaring a "Nazi emergency." The resolution, which passed by a vote of 39-29, is symbolic and will have no legal consequences but serves to highlight the threat posed by the far right in Dresden.

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Germany Ups Fight Against Antisemitism, Far-Right Extremism

New measures were passed last week by Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet that are aimed at helping fight far-right extremism and antisemitism. The measures, which still need parliamentary approval, include tightening gun laws, stepping up prosecution of online hate and boosting financial support for projects fighting antisemitism and far-right extremism.

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Antisemitic Hate Crimes in Sweden Rise by 53% to All-Time High

According to government statistics published on Thursday, antisemitic hate crimes in Sweden rose to a record high last year, jumping 53% over the 2016 figures. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention listed 280 antisemitic hate crimes in 2018, the highest number on record since at least 2006.

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Teenage Rescuer, Now 92, Meets Family She Saved From Nazis

During the Second World War, Melpomeni Dina and her sisters provided a hiding place in their home for a Jewish family escaping the imminent roundup of Jewish people in Veroia, Greece. On Sunday, two members of the Jewish family reunited with Ms. Dina at Yad Vashem to say thank you and introduce her to 40 descendants of the family she helped save from the Nazis.

"The righteous of the nations are exceptional people who took great risk to save Jewish families from murder. They deserve the highest accolades for their courage, conviction and humanity," said FSWC president and CEO Avi Benlolo in an online post. "Righteous people are all around us. We need them every single day. Pay it forward by helping someone in need, giving to the homeless and seeing how you can be the change. Look for the opportunity. Be one and be written."

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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.

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