Struggle
05-11-2007 / United States
USA - Columbia students, faculty rally against hate crimes
A group of students and faculty at Columbia University's Teachers College joined together to stand up against hate, following several incidents in the past month of anti-Semitism and racism at the school.
Professor Elizabeth Midlarsky affixed a mezuzah to her office door. The scroll serves as a declaration of the Jewish faith.
"It's a wonderful thing that is being done today,” said Midlarsky. “I feel it is a real act of affirmation."
Just last week,
the professor's door was found defaced with a spray-painted swastika. On three occasions in October, Midlarsky, who is a Holocaust researcher, found propaganda in her mailbox denying the Holocaust happened.
In response, the Teachers College Jewish Association rallied outside the school to send the message that such acts are unacceptable.
Among them, an African American faculty member at the Teachers College, who found a noose hung on her office door, also in October. The president of the Teachers College appeared at the rally to assure students that the school has zero tolerance for hate crimes.
Source: www.ny1.com
Date: November 05, 2007
04-11-2007 / Czech
Czech - Police disperse extremists' concert in West Bohemia
The Czech police dispersed a concert of extremist bands attended by some 120 skinhead supporters in a local hotel in Nove Hamry.
The police interfered as one of the bands was singing a song with anti-Semitic lyrics, and thereby violated law.
The concert audiences defended themselves and two policemen suffered light injuries during the incident.
Source: www.romea.cz
Date: Nov 4, 2007
02-11-2007 / United States
USA - NYC declares day against hate crimes
Hate-crime complaints have surged by 20% this year - with anti-Semitic incidents spiking 36% in the last 90 days.
Proclaiming New York "a city of tolerance," the City Council speaker declared a day against hate to counter a spate of bias crimes - "day out against hate" to be held on Nov. 29 - including the discoveries of a swastika and a noose on the doors of two university professors. The activity will be joined by New York's borough presidents, City Council members and civic leaders.
Some activities will include the Columbia University campus, where a Jewish professor discovered a swastika painted on her office door on Wednesday. Last month, a black professor at Columbia's graduate school of education found a noose on her office door.
Date: Nov. 2, 2007
02-11-2007 / Argentina
Argentina– A Draft-Law on Removing Abusive Graffiti in Buenos Aires
On 2nd November 2007, the Members of the Parliament of the City of Buenos Aires approved a draft-law obligating the Municipality to remove all abusive, hate inspiring graffiti from public places in the city. Residents of the city will be able to call a toll-free telephone number and report graffiti of this kind. "Recently, there have been repeated incidents involving such graffiti, especially antisemitic slogans, and this is harmful to the entire society", said M.P. Martin Borselli, who proposed the law".
Source: DAIA
Date: 02/11/07
01-11-2007 / Canada
Canada - Canadian Jewish Congress honours bus driver for heroism
Geovanny Hidalgo never expected an award. But at a ceremony last week at the Wilson Station bus depot, the 40-year-old Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus driver was presented with the Canadian Jewish Congress’ (CJC) Louis Lenkinski Memorial Award, which is named for the late labour and Jewish community official and given to individuals who demonstrate “excellence and dedication in the area of human rights, community service and social justice.”
As he was driving his Bathurst Street No. 7 bus around midnight last March 15, Hidalgo happened to notice three men, one of who was wearing what he described as “white supremacist-type attire,” throwing rocks at the Chabad Midtown Jewish Community Centre, located just north of Davenport Road.
Hidalgo immediately called his dispatcher to alert the police. Within minutes, the vandals were apprehended before they could do any more damage, and they were later charged with mischief by Toronto police.
The award ceremony took place in front of friends, colleagues and dignitaries.
Source:
www.cjnews.com
Date: November 1, 2007
By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
29-10-2007 / France
France - A priest methodically reveals Ukrainian Jews’ fate
His subjects were mostly children and teenagers at the time, terrified witnesses to mass slaughter. Some were forced to work at the bottom rung of the Nazi killing machine — as diggers of mass graves, cooks who fed Nazi soldiers and seamstresses who mended clothes stripped from the Jews before execution.
28-10-2007 / Germany
Germany - Germany opens new concentration camp exhibition
Germany opened a museum at the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where tens of thousands of victims died during the Nazi era.
More than 60 years after the camp was liberated, politicians inaugurated a new building containing Holocaust victims' diaries, drawings, items of clothing and objects kept by families for years as well as video statements from survivors.
Some 100 survivors of the camp, near the northern city of Hanover, attended the opening ceremony.
“The exhibition is important for future generations”, said Stephan Kramer, General Secretary of the Central Council for Jews in Germany.
"We will never be silent when racism and anti-Semitism is expressed in whatever form," he said.
Source: www.reuters.com
Date: Oct 28, 2007
24-10-2007 / United States
UNESCO adopts resolution on Holocaust remembrance
The UNESCO General Conference today (23 October 2007) adopted a draft resolution calling to promote awareness of Holocaust remembrance through education and to combat all forms of Holocaust denial.
The resolution was ultimately co-sponsored by 72 states around the world, and was adopted unanimously by representatives of the 193 UNESCO member states.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni welcomed the adoption of the resolution by the UNESCO General Conference and thanked the Director-General of UNESCO for his contribution to the adoption of the resolution: "The UNESCO resolution is of the highest political and moral importance, sharpening the moral commitment of the nations of the world to instill Holocaust remembrance and to combat its denial. This is our historic and moral obligation to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and will serve as a clear warning to every society in order to fulfill the promise of 'Never again.'"
Date: Oct 23, 2007
24-10-2007 / Hungary
Hungary– Habad Representatives in Hungary Return Fire
Hungarian Jewry was appalled to hear that a virulent attack on the Talmud was made during a popular television program. In an interview, one of the leaders of Hungary's radical right accused the Jews of being responsible for all the troubles of the world, making wild accusations against the Talmud. He quoted phrases from the Talmud that "permit killing non-Jews", according to him. He joins a long line of antisemites who used quotes from Jewish scriptures to incite against the Jews.
The Habad representatives in Hungary quickly contacted the channel involved and asked to respond. The station invited Habad Representative Rabbi Shlomo Kovesh who refuted the ridiculous claims. Rabbi Kovesh brought a volume of the Talmud with him and quoted in the studio from the Gitin Tractate, Folio 71, page 1: "Poor of the alien is provided for along with the poor of Israel, and the sick of the alien are visited along with the sick of Israel, and the deceased alien are buried with the deceased of Israel, in the name of the pathways of peace". Rabbi Kovesh called on the antisemites to stop constantly making false and baseless accusations, adding: "Not everything is permissible in the name of freedom of speech". His words aroused considerable reactions.
Source:
http://www.shturem.net/
Date: October 24, 2007
24-10-2007 / Belarus
Belarus– The Lukashenko Denounced by the European Council
On 24th October 2007, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Council, Van der Linder, said the following about remarks made by the Belarus President Lukashenko: "The struggle against antisemitism is universal. Lukashenko's antisemitic remarks are ludicrous, but above all they are unacceptable. The European Council, as a Council with values established the first tier of the European integration process whose aim is to destroy the roots of intolerance and extremism in Europe. The struggle against antisemitism has occupied a preferred position on the European Council's agenda since 1949, and will continue to do so as long as the threat exists. President Lukashenko must think in the same way and ask forgiveness for what he has said if he seriously intends growing closer to the rest of the European countries.
Date: October 24, 2007
23-10-2007 / Spain
Spain– More Intensive Study of the Holocaust in Asturias
On 23rd October 2007, the Advisor on Education of the Asturias Principality, Jose Luis Iglesias Riopedre commented to the Media that the very fact that the Prince of Asturias Prize had been awarded to Yad VaShem will assist in more in-depth study of the Holocaust by secondary school pupils in the region.
Date: October 23, 2007
23-10-2007 / France
France – A man sentenced for anti-semitic insults in Aix-en-Provence
Reminder of the facts: On April 28, 2007- Aix-en-Provence (13)
A Jewish man coming out of the culture communal center, situated beside the synagogue, was called "a dirty Jew" by a person sitting on the steps of the building adjoining the center. For several months now, that man walks around the center and other anti-semitic insults were made by a group to which this man belongs. A complaint has been filed.
Hearing of October 23rd 2007
The perpetrator had to pay a fine of:
1,000 € (public treasure)
500 € damages and interests and
500 € article number 475-1
Date: 23/10/07
23-10-2007 / France
France– man convicted for anti-Semitic insults at Aix en Provence
Fact reminder: April 28, 2007 - Aix en Provence (013)
When exiting a community center next to the synagogue, a Jewish man was verbally attacked by a man who was sitting on the step of a nearby building. For several months, this man has been hanging around the center and has uttered in the past anti-Semitic comments while with other people. A complaint was filed. An investigation was held on October 23, 2007. The man was convicted and fined: 1000 Euro paid to the government; 500 Euro in compensation and an additional 500 Euro in accordance with clause 475-1.
Date: 23/10/07
23-10-2007 / Italy
Italy–weapon found in the possession of skinheads following police search
Ammunition, a crossbow, machete, shirts with swastikas and banners calling to kill all Jews were found by the police in Pesaro and Ancona following seven searches against extreme right youngsters from the “Nazi Skinhead” group. The searches were held in the morning of October 10 in these two counties. Among the various objects found there were also badges and instruction bulletins by the national movements, “The Third Position”. Searches were held also in the cities of Castel Colonna, Senigallia and Fabriano.
Date: 23/10/07
18-10-2007 / Belgium
Europe– The EU Initiates Legislature Defining Denying the Holocaust as a Criminal Offense
The European Commissioner for Legal, Domestic and Human Rights Affairs, Franco Frattini, is leading a proposal designed to promote legislation against Holocaust deniers in all the EU countries. Frattini told Isaac Herzog, the Israeli Minister for Diaspora Ties and Combating Antisemitism that the draft law proposes that denying the Holocaust be declared a criminal offense carrying stiff sentences.
The Commissioner up-dated Minister Herzog on the contents of a recently held survey which showed an increase in the number of antisemitic incidents in the past year. The activities of radical Muslim elements are blamed for this increase.
Source:
http://www.haaretz.co.il/
Date: October 18, 2007
By: Barak Ravid
12-10-2007 / Italy
Italy - Italian Justice Minister strongly denounces anti-Semitism
Italy’s Justice Minister has strongly condemned anti-Semitism and said his government supports the implementation of tough laws against anti-Semitic acts.
He made the statement at an event organized in New York by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to present its "Giovanni Palatucci Courageous Leadership Award" to New York police’s deputy commissioner David Cohen, for his efforts helping the city fight terrorism.
The award is named after an Italian police chief who defied the Nazis and saved thousands of Jewish lives during the Holocaust.
"Anti-Semitism is a very dangerous ideology," said Italian Justice Minister Clemente Mastella.
"I believe that nobody should be attacked because of his nationality, because of his race or because of his religion. My government is prepared to fight against and prevent all forms of anti-Semitism in the country, and across the continent."
He also expressed his support for continuing Holocaust education.
"The people of Italy must never forget the memory of the Holocaust. The message has to be strong and the words have to be clear so that we can talk to the next generation."
Source: www.ejpress.org
Date: October 12, 2007
12-10-2007 / France
France – The Suspected Perpetrator of the Terror Attack on a Synagogue in Paris in 1980 Found in Canada
The French authorities have located in Canada a person of Palestinian extraction suspected of being responsible for the 1980 bombing of the synagogue on Rue Copernic in Paris. In addition, an official source in France has confirmed the report in Le Figaro that the suspect was located thanks to information provided by the German Intelligence services. It has also been reported that the suspect, who holds Lebanese and Canadian citizenship, had in the 1970s been a member of a small organization known as "The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – Special Operations". Four people, including an Israeli woman Aliza Shagrir, were killed and 20 people were injured.
"The French investigators never closed the file and continued trying to move the investigation forward", said Jean Louis Bruguer, a former senior official in the anti-terror HQ, which had been responsible for investigating the incident. "In this sphere, more than in any other one, the passage of time does not necessarily diminish the investigation's chances", he told Reuters. "There are some cases that remain open because there is a chance that the investigation can be re-opened. In view of the serious nature of the incident, we thought that the file must not be closed".
The attack outside the synagogue on Rue Copernic in Paris was carried out on 3 October 1980 and, as mentioned above, took the lives of four people, passersby. The results of the attack could have been far more serious if it had been carried out several minutes later when the worshipers would have been leaving the synagogue. The incident shocked France and led to a mass demonstration against antisemitism in which 200 thousand people participated. At the same time, the then French Prime Minister Raymond Barre, aroused considerable scandal when he declared when he said "Innocent French citizens" were killed in the attack.
Source:
http://www.haaretz.co.il/
Date October 12, 2007
10-10-2007 / Russia
Russia - Russia supports combating anti-Semitism
President Putin says Russia supports the idea of a unified European approach to combating anti-Semitism and related extremism. The statement was made during a meeting with the members of the European Jewish congress.
Putin said he understands what kind of danger racism poses for a multi-national country such as Russia.
He stressed Russia is concerned that some countries in the European Union appear to support those who glorify Nazism.
“We cannot understand certain things which happen in some Eastern European countries. We know that the denial of the Holocaust is considered to be a crime in several European states. At the same time the authorities of Latvia and Estonia openly encourage the glorification of Nazis and their allies. The European Union ignores these facts,” President Putin said.
Source:
www.russiatoday.ru
Date: October 10, 2007
10-10-2007 / Britain
Britain-Government pledges to support security of Jewish school
The pledge is part ofthe recommendations of last year’s all-party parliamentary report on anti-Semitism. "We recommend that the Home Office provides a greater level of support in addressing the security needs of British Jews, especially with reference to their places of worship and schools," the reportsaid. Speaking in the House of Commons (Parliament) last Wednesday about capital investment in schools from 2008-2011, the British Minister for Schools and Learners, Jim Knight, said that "school and pupil security is one of the important areas that should be addressed". Parents currently pay for security measures, from the barbed wire around Manchester’s King David campus to round-the-clock monitoring by the Community Security Trust. It is not year clear how much money will come from the government and how it will be spent. The commitment was welcomed by Jewish community leaders. According to the Jewish Chronicle, figures show a steady increase of incidents at schools. But a spokesman said most were verbal abuse or the throwing of stones. There were no severe assaults.
Source:
www.ejpress.org
Date: 10/10/07
08-10-2007 / United States
USA - Holocaust-denial film blocked in Aspen
A controversial Holocaust-denial film is raising questions about free speech at Grassroots Television, an Aspen community-access station.
Steve Campbell, founder of Citizens for 9/11 Truth, asked the station to air “Judea Declares War on Germany: A Critical Look at World War II” on Monday, but Grassroots board members stopped the screening.
The one-hour program features Dr. Frederick Toben, an Australian and member of the Adelaide Institute, an organization that denies that the Holocaust happened.
“This film is offensive not only to Jews in the world but to any sensible person,” said Grassroots Executive Director John Masters.
The question of airing the film has stirred a “healthy debate” at the community TV station.
In the film, Toben says “alleged” concentration camp gas chambers were used to save lives by disinfecting prisoners and that the Holocaust was a fabrication.
According to the Adelaide Institute website, Toben has faced litigation and is under a federal gag order in Australia.
In the past, Campbell has aired controversial films on Grassroots TV trying to debunk facts about the Sept. 11 attack. He said he has not run into this problem before.
Begun in 1971, Grassroots airs community programs twice for free and charges for additional screenings or special placement, Masters said.
Source: www.vaildaily.com
Date: October 8, 2007
By Charles Agar
