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McGill University Investigation Fails to Recognize Antisemitism
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) expressed its dismay yesterday following the release of McGill University's report regarding October's Students' Society of McGill University General Assembly vote. Despite three students - including one Jewish student - being booted off the Board of Directors slate for their affiliation with the Jewish community and pro-Israel stances, the report concluded that the vote was not motivated by antisemitism.
"The thin veil of anti-Zionism should not be allowed to mask the antisemitism at the core of the voting," said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo.
Tour for Humanity Travelling Across the Hamilton Area This Week
The Tour for Humanity is travelling across the Hamilton area this week, visiting high schools to provide Holocaust and human rights workshops to students. During yesterday's stop at a Catholic secondary school, FSWC's educator Daniella presented four workshops to Grade 10 students. She learned about an incident at the school where a student who self-identified as a neo-Nazi tried to spread antisemitic propaganda to other students last year.
Support Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center's work in countering antisemitism, racism and hate across Canada. Donations are 100% tax-deductible and go towards funding important educational programs and advocacy initiatives.
Wiesenthal Center Denounces Polish Law That Criminalizes Discomfiting Truths About the Holocaust
Following Polish President Andrzej Duda's signing of Poland's controversial Holocaust bill into law yesterday, Simon Wiesenthal Center released a statement condemning the law, calling it "a cowardly surrender to the practitioners of extremist politics." The new law makes it illegal to accuse Poland of any type of atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
"The official adoption of this amendment...is a defamation of Memory and a cowardly surrender to the practitioners of extremist politics in Poland," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean of the Wiesenthal Center and Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the Center's Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda.
Sweden's Antisemitism Problem
Antisemitism continues to be a prevalent issue in Sweden, according to research. The most-recent figures from Sweden's National Council for Crime Prevention reveal an average of 228 antisemitic hate crimes are reported per year - a figure that has remained at a steady level over the past decade. The Swedish government recently requested a deeper study on antisemitic hate crimes in the country. Antisemitic incidents that took place in 2017 are being linked to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the neo-Nazi movement.
Online Map Tracks Neo-Nazis' Location
A new website, FashMaps, was recently launched that showcases a live map of locations of neo-Nazis. Locations are obtained by using message boards and forums where neo-Nazis are active. According to one of the map's creators, the purpose of the website is to raise awareness about the presence of neo-Nazis in various communities. The website also includes a map of neo-Nazi and white supremacist terrorist attacks that took place since 2001.
From the Arab World
According to several news reports, Saudi Arabia has for the first time allowed an Israel-bound aircraft to use its airspace by approving the operation of an Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv. This would shorten the duration of flights from India to Israel by around two-and-a-half hours. However, a spokesperson for Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority has reportedly denied the reports, while a spokesman for the Indian embassy said the reports are yet to be confirmed and a spokeswoman for Israel's embassy in Delhi has not yet responded.
At least 23 Syrian civilians have been reportedly killed following a new wave of government air strikes today. Warplanes bombed several towns in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb in Damascus, Syria. Since Monday, more than 130 people have been killed since the government intensified bombardment, resulting in the UN appealing for a ceasefire. Since 2013, hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped in the area since it came under siege by pro-government forces.
Make a Difference by Supporting FSWC
Be a part of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center family by becoming a member of one of our numerous leadership groups and committees. Your support and involvement helps the organization continue its efforts in countering antisemitism and intolerance, providing highly needed Holocaust education and ensuring future generations never forget.
To learn more about what FSWC is all about, join us at the 2018 Spirit of Hope Benefit on May 30th - an event that brings thousands of supporters in a celebration of the rights and freedoms championed by FSWC.
For registration and information, contact Tracey at tsteyn@fswc.ca or 416-864-9735 ext. 21.
Register for Spirit of Hope 2018
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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