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Referring to Sacha Baron Cohen's antics: "We’ve gotten so used to people saying crazy and hurtful things of their own free will in public that watching them being tricked into doing so doesn’t have the entertainment value it used to." - Mike Hale, New York Times
Sacha Baron Cohen Isn't Joking – He's At War with Indifference
"His comedy is like a psychological lab experiment in complicity," writes Helen Rumbelow. Through his comedy, Sacha Baron Cohen, the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, has exposed time and time again people's indifference and the ability to get others to just "go along" with things. He relates this issue to the Holocaust, stating, "not everyone in Germany had to be a raving antisemite. They just had to be apathetic."
FSWC Opposes OCLA's Call for Canada to Help Holocaust Denier
In a letter to Canada's justice minister and foreign affairs minister, the Ontario Civil Liberties Association expressed concern about Canada’s “apparent unwillingness” to come to the aid of Monika Schaefer - who is currently on trial in Germany for publishing videos denying the Holocaust. FSWC opposes this call for Canada to help Schaefer.
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PM Trudeau Shuffles Cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made significant changes to his cabinet today, including welcoming new members. According to a release from the Prime Minister's Office, the new cabinet will focus on innovation and trade, building stronger relations with provinces and securing the border. FSWC is pleased to note that Spirit of Hope Honouree and Compassion to Action Alumnus, the Hon. Bill Blair has been appointed to Parliamentary Secretary to the Health and Justice Ministers to become the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime.
Avi Benlolo Calls for More Action
In a substantive piece published in Ottawa's The Hill Times, FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo stated that he believes the current and previous governments found antisemitism "abhorrent." However, Benlolo added that not enough voices of authority are condemning antisemitism and there is a need for “people in power [and] people in influence to stand up and speak out continuously.”
How Israel Torched Its Way to Iran's Nuclear Secrets
Israel's Mossad agents had six hours and 29 minutes to enter the warehouse and get out of the city of Tehran carrying a half-ton of the country's secret nuclear archive, documenting years of work on atomic weapons, warhead designs and production plans. Last week, three reporters were shown key documents from the trove.
SWC Denounces Inclusion of Fascist Singer in Croatian Soccer Team's Celebration
Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a denunciation of Croatia's national soccer team today for allowing the participation of a "fascist" singer in celebrations organized earlier this week. According to the Center's Efraim Zuroff, singer Marko Perkovic is an Ustasha sympathizer, referring to a Croatian nationalist movement that collaborated with the Nazis and participated in the Holocaust.
Game-Changer: Israel Is World's Most Jewish Country for First Time
The announcement was not unexpected, says Barbara Kay in her recent opinion piece. Israel now has the world's highest population of Jews - largely due to a diminishing Jewish presence in the US because of secularization, intermarriage and low birthrate, and an escalating Jewish presence in Israel. In her piece, Barbara discusses the question, is this good or bad for the Jews?
From the Arab World
Egypt has reportedly told Hamas to halt sending flying incendiary devices - including kites, balloons and other objects with flammable material - into Israel within a few days. According to a report, Hamas said it will not stop attacks, but will reduce the number. Since April, kites and balloons from Gaza have sparked endless fires, scorching 7,000 acres of land and causing millions of shekels in damage.
Turkey's two-year state of emergency - which was put in place following the failed coup attempt in July 2016 that killed 250 people and wounded 1,400 - is set to come to an end today. However, human rights advocates are calling on Ankara to do more to reverse a "suffocating" crackdown on free speech in the country.
New Dates for Genocide and Holocaust Certificate Courses
FSWC's genocide and Holocaust certificate courses will be taking place on August 14-17 and 20-21. Courses are free of charge and provide educators innovative tools and techniques for teaching these topics inside the classroom. To sign up, emaileducation@fswc.ca.
Report Antisemitism and News of Concern to FSWC
If you would like to report antisemitism or news of concern to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, please email aborisovsky@fswc.ca.
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