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Leader in Investigation on Cold Case of Anne Frank Visits FSWC for Two Days
Following his visit to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center on Thursday to speak with a group of students, Vince Pankoke of Cold Case Diary paid a second visit to speak with law enforcement professionals, educators and Holocaust survivors. Pankoke discussed his team's investigation into what led to the arrest of Anne Frank and her family. The team has been garnering new insights using specially developed technology, which have the potential help solve the cold case of Anne Frank and other similar cases.
Help Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center continue developing and delivering much-needed Holocaust and human rights educational programs for students and professionals.Your support is greatly appreciated.
Ontario PC Leadership Candidate Distances Campaign from Support of White Nationalist
Following Saturday's report by the Toronto Starthat revealed a tweet posted by white nationalist Paul Fromm showing support for Tanya Granic Allen - an Ontario PC leadership candidate - Granic Allen has since spoken out against Fromm, tweeting, "Shame on [the Toronto Star] for giving a platform to this repugnant KKK guy, whose name I refuse to mention, and whom I strongly condemn" and that there's "No place in our party for white supremacists."
US Embassy in Israel to Officially Move to Jerusalem in May
The US State Department announced on Friday that the US embassy in Israel will officially move to Jerusalem in May 2018 to coincide with Israel's 70th anniversary. Embassy staff will take up work at the existing US consulate in Jerusalem, while the US searches for a site for a permanent embassy, "the planning and construction of which will be a longer-term undertaking," said the State Department.
Wiesenthal Center Calls for Jewish NGOs to End Business with German Pro-BDS Bank
Simon Wiesenthal Center issued an appeal last Tuesday to Jewish NGOs to end their business with Germany's Bank for Social Economy, a top financial enabler of boycott activities against Israel. According to the Jerusalem Post, the Bank for Social Economy holds at least four accounts with German NGOs that support the anti-Israel BDS movement, and four Jewish organizations hold accounts with the bank - one of which stated it is re-evaluating its business relationship with the bank.
Israeli Wheelchairs of Hope Donated in South Africa
Through the help of the Israeli Embassy and South Africa's Women's International Zionist Organization chapter, 50 colourful wheelchairs are being donated to needy children in South Africa. The wheelchairs come from the Israeli non-profit organization Wheelchairs of Hope, which delivers wheelchairs to children in developing countries, empowering them to be independent and gain access to education. The wheelchairs have already been delivered to children in other countries, including Vietnam, Peru and Tajikistan.
From the Arab World
Iranian Justice Minister Alireza Avaie's plans to address the UN Human Rights Council's main annual session this week has sparked outrage - particularly since he has been sanctioned for "human rights violations, arbitrary arrests, denials of prisoners' rights and increase in executions" by Brussels and Bern. A protest is planned to take place in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva tomorrow, which is when Avaie is due to speak.
Just hours after a ceasefire resolution was passed by the UN Security Council on Saturday, air strikes by the Syrian government on rebel-held Eastern Ghouta continued. Hundreds of people have died in a week of bombardment, and following weekend attacks France and Germany called on Russia to pressure the Syrian government to honour the ceasefire. The Syrian government has continued to deny targeting civilians, stating it is trying to liberate the enclave from "terrorists."
Canada's Top Banks Sponsor Spirit of Hope 2018
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center is pleased to receive the support of Canada's top five banks, which are sponsoring this year's Spirit of Hope Benefit. The dinner will be taking place on May 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
To register or for more information, contact Tracey at tsteyn@fswc.ca or (416) 864-9735 ext. 21.
Register for Spirit of Hope 2018
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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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