Stephen Harper, José María Aznar: The World Must Unite to Stop Iran

In an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal yesterday, former prime ministers Stephen Harper and José María Aznar - featured speakers at Spirit of Hope 2018 - argue that North America and Europe must join Israel in stopping Iran and its projection of force throughout the Middle East, warning that the country's aggression and quest for regional control has increased. With Iran establishing itself closer to Israel's border and posing a growing threat to global security, the two state that "all should urgently work together to counter this threat."

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Guatemala to Move Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in May

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced yesterday that he will be moving his country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in May, two days after the US is set to move its embassy. The announcement was made yesterday night during the AIPAC Policy Conference taking place March 4-6 in Washington DC. "This decision strongly evidences Guatemala's continued support of Israel," said Morales.

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Car-Ramming Terror Attack in Israel Injures Three

Three Israelis - including a border police officer and two soldiers - were injured following a car-ramming terror attack in the northern Israeli city of Akko on Sunday morning. According to police, the driver was an Israeli Arab and the attack was carried out to due to nationalistic motives.

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1946 US Report Equates Polish and Nazi Treatment of Jewish Population

A 1946 US report obtained by Simon Wiesenthal Center reveals the antisemitism and abhorrent treatment of Jews in Poland that took place before, during and after WWII. According to the report, Poles persecuted Jews as much as the Germans did, and many Polish Jews either wanted to flee Poland or never return to the country following the war. The Center's dean and founder, Rabbi Marvin Hier, said the report can provide insight into why so many Jewish people are upset by Poland's new Holocaust law and how "antisemitism in Poland was a problem of longevity."

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French Police Arrest Four Teens After Jewish Boy Attacked 

Police in France arrested four teens last week during Purim celebrations after a 14-year-old Jewish boy was beaten and had his kippah taken away outside a synagogue north of Paris. According to reports, the boy's glasses were smashed and the alleged attackers called the boy and his siblings "dirty Jews." Police are treating the attack as an antisemitic incident.

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From the Arab World

According to a television report that aired on Saturday, a delegation of Egyptian intelligence officials have warned Hamas chiefs in Gaza that should Hamas pursue an escalation of violence with Israel, it would be "playing with fire" and will suffer dire consequences. The delegation said that there is a possibility that Israel could "topple Hamas." The delegation had reportedly been in Gaza for over a week for talks on Palestinian reconciliation.

Today police in Turkey detained four Iraqi nationals who allegedly were planning an attack on the US embassy in the city of Ankara. The arrest happened hours after the embassy closed to the public for the day due to a security threat. The embassy has advised US citizens in Turkey to avoid the embassy building, large crowds and to be aware of their own security.

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FSWC Recognizes Alex Shnaider as Spirit of Hope Dinner Sponsor

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal is pleased to recognize Alex Shnaider, Board of Directors member, as the dinner sponsor of Spirit of Hope 2018. The dinner brings together top business leaders, philanthropists, community and political leaders in a celebration of freedom, democracy and human rights. With an incredible panel of speakers - including former prime ministers Stephen Harper, Ehud Barak and José María Aznar, as well as 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan - Spirit of Hope creates a unifying voice for the pro-Israel community and sends a powerful message against hate and intolerance.

Join Alex at this year's Spirit of Hope Benefit. 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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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.