1. Israel and Jewish Communities Worldwide Commemorate Yom HaShoah

People and traffic came to a standstill in Israel today to honour the 6 million Jews that perished during the Holocaust. Ceremonies are taking place throughout the day to commemorate Yom HaShoah, including in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau showed his recognition of the day by releasing a statement, in which he states: "The atrocities carried out during the Holocaust have caused some people to ask whether it is possible to still have faith in humanity. Yom HaShoah teaches us that we must maintain that faith. To honour the victims of the Holocaust is to recognize their humanity, which no human act can erase." 

This evening, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center held a candle-lighting ceremony and film screening of the film I Have Never Forgotten You - a documentary about Simon Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter.

2. Terrorist Attack in Tel Aviv Leaves Four Injured

An 18-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank stabbed four people in and around a beachfront hotel in Tel Aviv on Sunday afternoon. Police quickly arrived and arrested the suspect. Three victims in their 50s and one victim in his 70s were sent to a nearby hospital with light injuries. The attacker had apparently entered Israel with a single-day work permit as part of "Natural Peace Tours," a group that works to improve relationships between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel's Defense Ministry suspended single-day work permits for Palestinians hours following the incident.

3. FSWC Upset with NDP's Inclusion of BDS Text in Motion

Over the weekend, FSWC sent a letter to Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath expressing concern regarding the party's plans to bring forth a motion in support of BDS at a conference in Toronto. The resolution was included in the party's Convention Guide and Resolutions handbook. Following the conference, Horwath's office responded by stating "the motion did not reach the floor, was not debated, and was not passed." FSWC will continue to press the Ontario NDP party to denounce the so-called boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign.

4. Marine Le Pen Steps Aside as Leader of National Front Party

Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen announced today that she is stepping down from the National Front party - just a day after the first round of voting, where she came in second place and received 21 per cent of the votes. "This evening, I am no longer the president of the National Front. I am the candidate for the French presidency," she said. Jewish leaders have been speaking out against Le Pen, particularly after she denied France's role in the Holocaust. Le Pen will be moving on to the second round of voting.

5. UN Chief and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Stand Up for Israel 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonia Guterres spoke out against anti-Israel bias and antisemitism at the World Jewish Congress (WJC) Plenary Assembly on Sunday. "As secretary general of the United Nations I consider that the state of Israel needs to be treated as any other state," he said, adding that Israel has an "undeniable right to exist and to live in peace and security with its neighbours" and "the modern form of antisemitism is the denial of the existence of the State of Israel." Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke today, stating that "Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel." She also discussed the importance of contributing to Israel's safety and security, stating that it is key to fighting ISIS. "When Canada works to counter extremism and terrorism, particularly in the Middle East, Israel is always a natural partner and a close ally," she said.

6. Teen Arrested for JCC Bomb Threats Charged

The 18-year-old teen who was arrested for making numerous bomb threats again Jewish community centres, airports and police stations in the U.S. and other countries was indicted inside an Israeli courtroom on Monday. This comes after Israel refused an informal request from the U.S. to have the teen extradited. The teen was charged in the U.S. on Friday for making threatening calls and conveying false information in Florida and Georgia. 

7. FSWC at Work

ICYMI: There are less than 30 days left until our annual Spirit of Hope Benefit! This year's gala - chaired by Canadian film producer Robert Lantos - will feature a talk with the former Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, as well as our keynote speaker, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron. Registration for Spirit of Hope 2017 is still open, and you can register by clicking here. We look forward to seeing everyone on May 18th!

PHILANTHROPY CORNER

FSWC is a designated Canadian charitable organization that provides tax receipts for charitable contributions. A donation to FSWC is tax deductible and provides an incredible footprint of direct action in our community. If you want to change lives and provide for positive community development, consider extending your philanthropy to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center this spring.  

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