Avi Benlolo's Letter to the Editor in Toronto Star: Theocratic Rule Blocks Path to Freedom
Read FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo's Letter to the Editor, which was published in yesterday's issue of the Toronto Star in response to a piece the newspaper had published earlier this month that unfairly demonized Israel and also attempted to whitewash the actions of Palestinian terrorists.
Read Avi Benlolo's Letter to the Editor
1. Canadian 2015 Hate Crimes Report Reveals Jewish Community Still Number One Target for Hate
Yesterday, the Government of Canada released its 2015 hate crimes report, which showed that the Canadian Jewish community remains the most targeted group for hate crimes in the country. However, in a sign of positive progress, the number of reported hate crimes against the Jewish community decreased from 2014 to 2015. When speaking to the Toronto Star about the newly released report, FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo stated many instances simply go unreported to police, adding that Toronto is seeing more antisemitism now than ever before.
2. Developing: Shooting at GOP Baseball Practice in Virginia
It is being reported that there has been a shooting attack at a Republican Party baseball practice this morning in Alexandria, Virginia, and the Republican House whip, Representative Steve Scalise, has been shot and is in serious, but stable, condition. It is also being reported that there are multiple other individuals injured - including the attacker, Republican staffers, and officers with Mr. Scalise's security detail.
3. Switzerland Votes to Defund NGOs That Promote Antisemitism
The Government of Switzerland voted yesterday to amend its laws pertaining to government funding of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in order to ensure that no funding goes towards groups that promote antisemitism or antisemitic causes. The vote is widely seen as a response to recent troubling reports, which have revealed that many NGOs that serve the Palestinian people in the Palestinian territories have been channeling funds to antisemitic groups and causes.
4. London Mayor Sadiq Khan Sought Israel's Advice on How to Counter Radical Islamic Terrorism
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has revealed that in the aftermath of three radical Islamic terror attacks in Britain in the past three months - with two of those occurring in London - he has sought the advice of Israeli officials and lawmakers. Khan said that his "office has been in contact with not only Tel Aviv but other places as well" and that he had learned from Israeli officials "lots of things, things like putting in place the barriers we have done in London."
5. Palestinian Official Denies US Claims That Palestinian Authority Has Stopped Paying Families of Terrorists
The US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, said yesterday that the Palestinian Authority has ended its policy of paying the families of terrorists who have attacked Israeli targets. However, Palestinian Authority official Issa Qaraqe has since denied ending payments and stated the PA rejects ending subsidies to the prisoners and families of martyrs.
6. FSWC at Work
The Tour for Humanity had a very successful two days in Orillia this week, welcoming students from numerous schools as well as OPP officers - including several from the Hates Crimes unit. FSWC would like to thank the OPP for the incredible time and effort they devoted to this two-day visit - which reached more than 250 students in grades 5, 6 and 7.
PHILANTHROPY CORNER
FSWC is a designated Canadian charitable organization that provides tax receipts for charitable contributions. A donation to FSWC is tax deductible and provides an incredible footprint of direct action in our community. If you want to change lives and provide for positive community development, consider extending your philanthropy to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center this summer.