Columnist Barry Shaw, based in Netanya, was banned by Facebook for 30 days after he posted a commentary critical of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Here is his account:
“See my banned post below and let me, and Facebook, know if I have posted anything offensive or untrue.” — From Barry Shaw
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Jewish Democratic Council of America condemns swastika attacks against Gottheimer
Josh Gottheimer
It was reported earlier this week that a campaign sign for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and the home of one of his supporters was vandalized with swastikas, profanity, and racist graffiti. In response, Halie Soifer, Executive Director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), released the following statement:
“The Jewish Democratic Council of America strongly condemns this blatant anti-Semitic attack in New Jersey. This is not the first time that Rep. Gottheimer has faced anti-Semitism in his campaigns for Congress, and his strong denunciation of these incidents is an example that both parties should follow. We call on the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) to join us in condemning this act of hatred, which is counter to American and Jewish values. We also call on the RJC to join us in opposing the numerous neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and Holocaust deniers running for Congress as Republicans.
“As JDCA has previously stated, the only way to ensure those who promulgate hatred are not elected to Congress is to endorse and support their opponents. During these troubling times, all of us in the Jewish community must put partisan labels aside and confront those who perpetuate hatred and divisiveness in our country.” — From Jewish Democratic Council of America
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Shwekey, Shapiro concertize in Jerusalem for United Hatzalah
“United Hatzalah needs no introduction.” So said Yaakov Shwekey in front of a sold-out audience at the Israel Convention Center in Jerusalem on Thursday night during the benefit concert for United Hatzalah. More than 3,000 people were in attendance at the annual gala concert that has become a mainstay of the Jerusalem cultural scene over Sukkot celebrating its 18th consecutive year. “These guys stop on a dime to help another Jew, another Yid, or just someone who needs help. What more can be said? I hope you have a lot fewer calls.”
Shwekey performed as the headliner in a concert that raised more than one-million dollars in donations for the organization according to a statement made by President and Founder Eli Beer. Mordechai Shapiro, who has been a Jewish Music star since 2013, opened the performance with some of his smash hits that got the crowd rocking. Later in the show, the two performers did a duet to the delight of the crowd. Shapiro said that he was happy to share the stage with Shwekey once again and that he was even more excited to do it in Jerusalem and for a cause as good as United Hatzalah. — From United Hatzalah
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USC Shoah Foundation film featured at UNESCO panel
A film by USC Shoah Foundation featuring video testimonies on current antisemitism opened a high-level panel Wednesday organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) titled, “The Power of Education for Countering Racism and Discrimination: The Case of Anti-Semitism,” at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The panel featured United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, as well as various ministers and high-level officials from many countries. The main objectives of the event were to mobilize national governments and education stakeholders to address racism and discrimination, including antisemitism, through education and to further international collaboration with UNESCO and the United Nations on relevant initiatives.
“Jews continue to be attacked for no other reason than their identity. And antisemitism is not a problem for the Jewish community alone. Where there is antisemitism, there are likely to be other discriminatory ideologies and forms of bias feeding each other in a cauldron of contempt,” Guterres said at the meeting.
The speakers highlighted the importance of combating racism and discrimination on a global scale, with a focus on antisemitism, as part of the overall effort to prevent and counter violent extremism.
“We were honored to present our work to this high-level panel and hope this testimony educates and informs their decisions moving forward,” said USC Shoah Foundation Finci-Viterbi Executive Director Stephen Smith, who holds the UNESCO Chair on Genocide Education, “While antisemitism dehumanizes all of us, testimony can elevate our ability to empathize and inspire us to action.”
The film used testimonies collected by USC Shoah Foundation across seven countries over three years. The testimonies capture the experiences of people deeply affected by antisemitism and extremism. Produced under its Stronger Than Hate initiative for its Countering Antisemitism Through Testimony program, the film featured testimonies from government leaders such as Robert Badinter, Former Minister of Justice, France; Viviane Teitelbaum, Member of Brussels Parliament, Belgium; Jan DeBoutte, Head of Belgian Delegation to International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Belgium; Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belgium; as well as other experiences.
AJ Congress President Jack Rosen hosts President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala
Jack Rosen
San Diego Jewish World received the following note from Jack Rosen:
“This spring, President Morales made the courageous decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocate Guatemala’s embassy to the ancient capital of the Jewish people – Guatemala being the second country to do so after the United States. Israel and Guatemala have a long history of friendship dating back to the UN Partition Plan in 1947, when Guatemala voted in favor of the Jewish State. In 1948, Guatemala was one of the first countries to recognize Israel’s independence.
“Together we discussed several important issues pertaining to Israel, as well as Israel’s relationship to Latin America. We also emphasized the relationship of the United States with Guatemala on several issues of shared interest.”
Republished from San Diego Jewish World