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Tour for Humanity Back in Action as Campers Fast in Commemoration of Tisha B'Av
Yesterday the Tour for Humanity made a stop at Camp Ramah, an international Jewish overnight camp in the Muskoka area. FSWC educator Elena Kingsbury taught five workshops on the Canadian Experience to campers - discussing World War II and the Holocaust. After several students shared the fact that they lost family members during the Holocaust, the group was encouraged to continue sharing their family history and keeping the memory of Holocaust victims alive. Many of the campers were fasting in commemoration of Tisha B'Av.
Canada Establishes Mutual Recognition Arrangement with Israel
FSWC welcomes the recent establishment of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between Canada and Israel - which will help make trade between the two countries more efficient by "providing streamlined border processes to pre-approved, low-risk traders," according to a statement released by the Government of Canada. FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo stated this arrangement "not only improves trade relations between the two democratic countries, but also plays a role in strengthening the Canada-Israel relationship."
FSWC Demands the Return of Israeli Nationals from Gaza
FSWC joined a community initiative spearheaded by Rick Ekstein to urge the UN Secretary-General to have the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul returned to their families in Israel. In 2014, the IDF soldiers were kidnapped and, according to forensic evidence, killed in Gaza. Their bodies are still unaccounted for and have yet to be returned to their families in Israel - an obvious violation of international humanitarian law by the Hamas terror group.
National Post Opinion Piece Speaks Out Against Compensation of Palestinian Terrorists
Yesterday's National Post featured an opinion piece written by Casey Babb - former policy advisor to Canada's minister of National Defence - titled "Canadian tax dollars shouldn't subsidize Palestinian terrorists." In the piece, Babb states that more than $3,120 a month will be paid to the Palestinian terrorist who entered a Jewish home in the West Bank and stabbed three people to death. Such payments are reportedly coming from international aid - including aid from Canada.
Former Nazi SS Guard Ruled Fit to Serve Sentence
German prosecutors declared today that 96-year-old Oskar Groening, a former Nazi SS guard known as the "Bookkeeper of Auschwitz", is fit to complete his sentence in prison. In July 2015 he was sentenced to four years after being found guilty of being an accessory to the murder of 300,000 people. FSWC - after having actively reported on the trial - supports the court's decision. Several Holocaust survivors who are actively involved with FSWC attended and provided testimony during his trial.
Israeli and Canadian Officials Meet to Discuss Counter-Terrorism
On Monday, Israel's Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan, and Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale, met at the Israel Police National Headquarters in Jerusalem to discuss Israel's advanced techniques for countering terrorism as well as how the two countries can work together to counter terrorism. Erdan called Canada "a true partner of Israel" and emphasized to Goodale that "terrorism cannot be fought without first fighting incitement."
Canada Urged to Suspend Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia During Investigation
Following an announcement by Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland that an investigation into Saudi Arabia's apparent use of Canadian-made armoured vehicles against civilians is taking place, opposition parties and human rights organizations are calling on the government to suspend all arms exports to the country. The Government of Canada has restrictions on arms exports to countries with "poor human-rights records" and calls for shipments to be blocked if the buyer could potentially use the arms against civilians.
Man Critically Wounded Following Stabbing Attack in Israel
A terrorist stabbing at a supermarket in Yavneh, Israel left a 43-year-old man critically wounded today. The stabber was identified as a 19-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank village of Yatta. The teenager fled the scene but was later caught by civilians and police and arrested.
From the Arab World
At least 29were killed following a suicide attack at a Shiite Muslim mosque inAfghanistan yesterday. The suicide bomber stormed into the mosque, opening fireat worshippers and then blowing himself up. Sixty-four others were wounded,including 10 critically. Witnesses reported a second explosion around 10minutes following the initial bombing, and residents have expressed anger afterpolice failed to take action.
Jihadistsfrom the Lebanon border - as well as their families - have agreed torelocate to Syriaafter an offensive was launched by Hezbollah. Thisevacuation follows a ceasefire between the jihadist group Hayat Tahriral-Sham and Hezbollah as well as the exchange of fighters' bodies and aprisoner swap. Around 9,000 jihadists and civilians are reportedly leaving thearea.
It's Not Too Late to Support Run4Freedom Day!
Help Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center send 90 schools from across Ontario to this year's Freedom Day! Support FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo's half marathon and his goal of raising $21,000 - which will go towards supporting the 3,500 elementary and high school students who want to be part of this exceptional day in honour of Simon Wiesenthal.
FSWC Wants to Hear from You
Passionate about an issue in the news or your community? Does it align with FSWC's mandate? Then we want to hear from you! FSWC is inviting you to submit reflections on issues that matter to you and the community. While we won't be publishing anything just yet, we will be taking all submissions into consideration for future projects.
Submit reflections to aborisovsky@fswc.ca.
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