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Virtual Event Features Discussion on Jewish Heritage and Drastic Increase in Virulent Antisemitism in Canada

Yesterday evening, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) and Beth Sholom Synagogue presented a special virtual presentation of Evenings with Steve, moderated by Steven Skurka, featuring a discussion between FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt, Senator Linda Frum and Irwin Cotler, Canada's special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism. The discussion was watched by more than 600 people.

While the event was originally meant to focus on a celebration of Jewish heritage, the speakers also delved into a deep discussion on the drastic increase in virulent antisemitism that Jews throughout Canada have been experiencing, how the community can combat this antisemitism, and what the path forward looks like. It was an extremely insightful and important discussion FSWC was proud to take part in.

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Canada and the World Experiencing Rise in Antisemitism

Yesterday on Zoomer Radio's Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt joined Michael Mostyn from B'nai Brith and Simon Granat from CIJA to discuss the rise in antisemitism in Canada and around the world, which significantly worsened this month amid and in the aftermath of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

Listen at the 28:55 mark.

Listen

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Inter-Parliamentary Task Force Condemns Rise in Global Antisemitic Incidents

In a statement issued yesterday, members of the Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism, including FSWC's Michael Levitt, condemned the rise in antisemitic incidents occurring across the globe, including attacks on people and property as well as antisemitic discourse online.

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Rex Murphy: Antisemitism's Vile, Unending Hatred Never Ceases to Smoulder

"Antisemitism is the primal hate, the deepest hate, and the most enduring hate. It is a fire never extinguished: the embers always remain aglow. It may be stayed for a while, but the flicker of a single event can call it back to full flame," writes Rex Murphy in the National Post.

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Holocaust Survivor Attacked with Hateful Comments on TikTok

The TikTok account of 97-year-old Lily Ebert, a Holocaust survivor who survived Auschwitz concentration camp, was recently flooded with antisemitic messages as violence took place in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians. Ebert had created the account to answer questions about the Holocaust.

FSWC is disgusted by the hateful comments and commends Ebert for her dedication to continuing to use her TikTok account to educate people online. Earlier this afternoon, FSWC met with TikTok Canada to discuss the platform's Community Partners Channel program that allows non-profits to fast track complaints to the platform. FSWC has joined the program to ensure antisemitic content on TikTok can be quickly reviewed and removed.

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Antisemitic Acts in US Soared 80% in a Month, Jewish Security Group Reports

The Secure Community Network, an organization that advises US Jewish communities on security matters, has recorded an 80% spike in antisemitic acts in the last month amid Israel's 11-day war with Hamas. One of the causes was disinformation spread on social media.

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Thousands of Jews and Arabs March in Tel Aviv for Peace, Coexistence

Thousands of Israelis marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening in a show of support for peace and coexistence between Jews and Arabs amid two long weeks of intense violent riots waging across the country.

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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 jaime@fswc.ca.

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