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Raoul Wallenberg: A Courageous Hero Who Saved Thousands of Innocent Lives
Today Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center commemorates Raoul Wallenberg Day. Since 2001, January 17 has been recognized by Canada as a day to pay tribute to the Swedish diplomat, whose courage and successful mission saved an estimated 100,000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust."His courage and heroism deserves to be celebrated, and he serves as an example of what an individual can achieve when they stand up against hate," said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. In 1985, Wallenberg became Canada's first honorary citizen.
Holocaust Survivor Susan Pasternak Joins Workshop at FSWC
Yesterday, FSWC hosted a Lessons and Legacies of the Holocaust workshop for students from a private school in Toronto. The day started off with the group being very quiet and hesitant to ask questions, all of which changed when Holocaust survivor Susan Pasternak came in to speak to the group about her story of survival. The Tour for Humanity was also on the road yesterday, visiting a Catholic elementary school in Bradford.
Support the work of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center as we continue in our educational and advocacy efforts. Your contribution funds programs such as Tour for Humanity and Compassion to Action, which provide Holocaust and human rights education to both students and professionals.
US Freezes $65 Million in Funding to UN Palestinian Relief Agency
The US State Department announced yesterday that it has cut half of its funding, $65 million of $125 million, to the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. While President Donald Trump had threatened in recent weeks to cut funds after the Palestinian Authority refused to revive peace talks, a spokesperson for the State Department said the reason for putting a hold on aid had more to do with an imbalance in US contributions. Last year the US paid about 30 per cent of UNRWA's funding.
'Bookkeeper of Auschwitz' Denied Clemency, Must Serve Sentence
Former Auschwitz guard Oskar Groening's bid for clemency has been rejected, a spokesperson for Lueneburg prosecutors said today. Groening, also known as the "bookkeeper of Auschwitz," filed a clemency request earlier this week as a last attempt to avoid serving his four-year prison sentence after being convicted of being an accessory to the murder of 300,000 Jews.
Yesterday FSWC released a statement calling for justice to be served in the Groening case, with FSWC's Avi Benlolo stating that "regardless of age, any individual who took part in the atrocities of the Holocaust and supported the work of the Nazis must pay for the crimes committed."
Israeli Air Force Appoints First Female Aviation Squadron Commander
Israel's air force has appointed the first woman to command an aviation squadron. She will be promoted to lieutenant colonel and will head a squadron of aviation at an Israel Air Force base. The army made the announcement yesterday, stating that she will be the first female pilot to have this position and rank. In November, the air force also appointed the first female deputy commander of a fighter jet squadron.
From the Arab World
Hamas's deputy political bureau chief reportedly stated on a Lebanese television network that Iran is the only country providing military support to the terror group to support Palestinian "resistance," stating that "on the one hand, there are countries that support Israel...and on the other hand, we have [Iran] which provides aid against the Israel entity," adding that Hamas's relations with Iran are "based on the fact that Iran is the most hostile country in the world toward the Zionist entity."
According to a Tehran prosecutor, Iran has so far freed 440 people who were arrested in Tehran during anti-government protests that took place in late December. While judicial officials have announced more than 1,000 arrests, an Iranian lawmaker argued last week that at least 3,700 people were detained. Several detainees have reportedly died while in custody.
Don't Forget to Register for Spirit of Hope 2018!
Be part of one of Toronto's most iconic fundraising events in a celebration of the rights and freedoms championed by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center. Spirit of Hope 2018 will be hosted by 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan and welcome former prime ministers of Canada, Spain and Israel to the stage. This is an event you don't want to miss.
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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