Struggle
18-09-2007 / Canada
Canada– A Seminar in Concerning the Struggle against Antisemitism on College Campuses in Quebec
On 18th September 2007, a seminar was held on the struggle against antisemitism on college campuses in Quebec. The seminar was organized by the Canadian Institute of Jewish Research (CIJR) in the framework of Israel Advocacy Seminars which deal, as is known, among other things in training students to handle incidents of antisemitism and attacks against Israel on college campuses. Following is a summary of an address delivered at the seminar by CIJR Director Prof. Krantz:
The penetration of antisemitism into the campuses in Quebec under the guise of anti-Israel and anti-Zionist protests, is gaining in momentum. The phenomenon that is particularly worrying in this connection is the misuse of teaching authority by the lecturers. The politicizing of the universities, lack of action by the administrations which are interested in "industrial calm" and the struggle for ideological hegemony provide fertile ground for the exacerbation of the phenomenon. It is necessary to train lecturers and students on how to stand up to them, utilizing skills both in speaking and in writing.
According to Dr. Shoenfeld of New York, the author of "The Return of Antisemitism", the return of antisemitism has its origins in a confluence of several developments, mainly: the return of antisemitic motifs and Islamic fundamentalism at a time when there is massive Muslim immigration to the West; the "exporting" of antisemitism from the Muslim world, especially from Iran and Saudi Arabia to Israel to (especially to France) and to North America and the resurrection of traditional antisemitism in the West which appeared to have been a thing of the past. Contrary to pure logic, incidents of antisemitism in the West are more prevalent in the socially established, educated and progressive communities rather than among elements on the side-lines of the society which want to vent their anger/frustration on some object or other. The antisemitism of the Left is gaining force and respect in the West.
Date: September 18, 2007
17-09-2007 / Germany
Germany - German court rejects Zundel's appeal
A German federal court has rejected an appeal by far-right activist Ernst Zundel against his incitement conviction for denying the Holocaust, which resulted in a five-year prison sentence.
Zundel, who was deported from Canada in 2005, was convicted by a Mannheim court in February on 14 counts of incitement for years of anti-Semitic activities, including denying the Holocaust - a crime in Germany - in documents and on the Internet.
The court handed him the maximum five-year sentence.
The Federal Court of Justice said Monday it had thrown out Zundel's appeal in a Sept. 12 ruling.
Zundel and his supporters have argued that he was a peaceful campaigner being denied his right to free speech.
Source:
http://cnews.canoe.ca
Date: September 17, 2007
15-09-2007 / Germany
Germany - Police arrest suspect in stabbing of rabbi
The 22-year-old was arrested in Frankfurt Thursday night and admitted to stabbing the rabbi, Zalman Gurevitch, prosecutors in the city said in a statement. The man is being investigated on suspicion of attempted manslaughter and dangerous bodily harm.
According to the rabbi, the assailant said "I'll kill you, you (expletive) Jew," prosecutors say.
However, prosecutors said the suspect - whose name they did not release - denies having either any intention of killing the rabbi and any anti-Semitic motive.
Source:
www.newschannel5.tv
Date: September 14, 2007
14-09-2007 / Germany
Germany - Soccer clubs in eastern Germany take action against anti-Semitism
Three prominent clubs in eastern Germany have united in banning right-wing and other extremist symbols from their stadiums.
Second-division Carl Zeiss Jena and two third-division clubs, Dynamo Dresden and Magdeburg, said Friday they would not allow fans wearing or carrying extremist symbols.
"We will not tolerate anti-Semitism, violence and xenophobia in our stadiums and in our clubs," Dynamo's chief executive Bernd Maas said.
Matches in former East Germany, especially in lower divisions, often have been marred by the presence of neo-Nazis and hooligan violence.
Source:
www.jpost.com
Date: Sep. 14, 2007
13-09-2007 / France
France - Sarkozy determined to fight anti-Semitism
French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared that he is determined to fight racism and anti-Semitism, in a message to Jews in France on the occasion of the celebration of Roch Hachana, the Jewish New Year.
"I can confirm to you my determination to fight more than ever against any form of racism, anti-Semitism, exclusion and intolerance," Sarkozy said in a letter of wishes sent to France’s chief rabbi Joseph Sitruk.
‘’On the eve of Rocha Hachana, I want to present to yourself, to your family and to all the Jews in France my wishes of good and happy year 5768", the president wrote.
"The year which ends takes with her its good and more painful memories. I wish that the year which begins sees the establishment of peace. Peace in hearts and peace between men, particularly in the Middle East, a region to which we are so close."
The president also assures that he will continue "to keep the cohesion between the different elements of the Nation."
Sarkozy ends his letter with the Hebrew words "Chana Tova ou Metouka", which means Happy and Sweet New Year.
Source:
www.ejpress.org
Date: Sep 13, 2007
13-09-2007 / France
France – Three Vandals Convicted of Desecrating Jewish Graves
On 13th September 2007, a French court convicted three persons of spraying swastikas and antisemitic epithets on gravestones in the Jewish cemetery in the village of Herlischeim in Western France in April 2004. The three admitted to vandalizing 117 gravestones and monuments marking the occasion of the anniversary of Hitler's death.
The judges sentenced the gang's leader, Emanuel Risé, 37, to two-and-a-half years in prison. His two accomplices, Laurent Boulangé, 27 and Laurent Paterscmidt, 28, were sentenced to one-and-a-half years and six months in prison respectively. Boulangé and Paterschmidt had worked under Risé for a security company. The three were also convicted of raising the Nazi flag in a cemetery in the village of Hartmansvilersopf and of smashing Muslim gravestones.
"I apologize to the entire Jewish community. I made a terrible mistake, and I bear responsibility for the results", said Paterschmidt outside the courtroom. Risé, for his part, said in the course of the trial that he had been fascinated by the "order and discipline" that had existed in Nazi Germany, but now he considers them "absurd".
The prosecutor at the trial, Pascal Schultz, said before the sentence had been read out that, "The punishment is designed to calm the Jewish and Muslim communities, and should remind all of us of the basic values of the French Republic".
Source:
http://www.ynet.co.il/
Date: September 13, 2007
11-09-2007 / Poland
Poland - Polish court rules prison term for anti-Semitic offence
A court in Warsaw convicted the man, identified only as Marcin G., for a racially motivated anti-Semitic attack against a young neighbor.
A former member of a Polish right-wing extremist group, Marcin G. was also found guilty of making anti-Semitic death threats against the young man's mother, Maria K., his neighbor.
Marcin G. is currently already serving a one-year prison term for a separate case of assault.
Source: http://news.monstersandcritics.com
Date: Sep 11, 2007
11-09-2007 / France
France - Comedian fined for remarks on Holocaust
French comic Dieudonne was fined 7,000 euros after he accused Jews of “memorial pornography” for their remembrance of the Holocaust.
The comedian, whose full name is Dieudonne M’Bala M’Bala, made the remarks at a press conference in Algeria in February 2005.
In the same conference he attacked “The Zionist lobby which cultivates the idea of their unique suffering... and has declared war on the black world.”
A Paris court found him guilty of “Complicity to slander a group of persons on the grounds of race, religion or origin.”
Source:
www.khaleejtimes.com
Date: September 11, 2007
07-09-2007 / Germany
Germany-unions reject boycott against Israel
An umbrella organization for German unions rejected calls to boycott Israel.
A statement Thursday by the Confederation of German Trade Unions said the body "categorically rejects calls for boycotts that are targeted one-sidedly at Israeli citizens, institutions and products. Anyone resorting to a one-sided boycott of Israel will in fact weaken the position of the majority on both sides who are ready for peace and will play into the hands of radical and fundamentalist forces." The American Jewish Committee praised the statement as "principled" at a time when unions in Ireland and Britain are considering such boycotts.
A statement Thursday by the Confederation of German Trade Unions said the body "categorically rejects calls for boycotts that are targeted one-sidedly at Israeli citizens, institutions and products. Anyone resorting to a one-sided boycott of Israel will in fact weaken the position of the majority on both sides who are ready for peace and will play into the hands of radical and fundamentalist forces." The American Jewish Committee praised the statement as "principled" at a time when unions in Ireland and Britain are considering such boycotts.
Source: www.jta.org
Date: 07/09/07
07-09-2007 / United States
USA-Floral Park Teen Charged In Alleged Anti-Semitic Vandalism Spree
Sixth Precinct police detectives arrested a 20-year-old Manhasset resident and a 17-year-old Floral Park Memorial High School senior in connection with a criminal mischief that allegedly occurred Aug. 31 between 2:40 and 8 p.m. in Plandome. According to detectives, an employee of two swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti were spray-painted on the building. Two windows were also broken. Sixth Squad detectives also report multiple other bias criminal mischief crimes that occurred throughout the precinct between Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Police arrested John Rocissano, 20, of Manhasset, at the Sixth Precinct station house Saturday, Sept. 1 and Matthew Felicetti, 17, of Floral Park, at Staples on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset Sept. 1 shortly thereafter. Rocissano has been charged with eight counts of first-degree aggravated harassment (E felony), seven counts of third-degree criminal mischief (E felony) and five counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief (A misdemeanor). Felicetti has been charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated harassment, four counts of third-degree criminal mischief and four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief. Police stated that these counts include additional graffiti at Plandome Reconstructionist Synagogue on Sept. 1 and graffiti at Munsey Park Elementary School from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 at 2:30 p.m. And, according to detectives, a resident of Roslyn Estates discovered three swastikas spraypainted on the door of a residence on The Dogwood. A swastika was also spray painted onto a street sign on The Intervale. Additionally, according to detectives, a security guard for Roslyn High School on Round Hill Road discovered a swastika spray painted on a school bus.
Date: 07/09/07
06-09-2007 / Britain
Britain-friendly soccer game against anti-Semitism
A friendly game will be played between a group of Israel and England fans in Wembley on 13/9 in the evening in an expression of solidarity against anti-Semitism. The event, organized jointly by Maccabi Great Britain and the London England Fans supporters group, will be held at Wembley Park Sports Ground, just a few minutes from the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium where Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier between England and Israel will be played.
The two sets of fans will join together for a unique training session, run by coaches from Football4Peace, who spent this summer working in Israel. They use football to bring Jewish and Arab children together. The game will be followed by a fan forum, giving the group a chance to discuss their views on soccer.
Date: 06/09/07
05-09-2007 / Australia
Australia-cricket player banned from sport
A Melbourne cricket player who created a Web page encouraging anti-Semitic slurs has been banned from the sport for eight years and expelled from his club. Ash Peake, who played for the McKinnon Cricket Club, was found guilty this week by the Victorian Turf Cricket Association of breaching racial vilification laws for his page on Facebook, a social networking site. Peake encouraged anti-Semitic slurs against a Jewish cricket club. Four other cricketers who posted anti-Semitic comments on the page -- called FU AJAX Cricket Club -- were suspended for between two and 18 months. A sixth cricketer, who has visited the Jewish Holocaust Museum and issued an apology, is overseas and will face the tribunal upon his return. The Web page, which was created in June but has been taken down, encouraged people who were “sick of the appalling arrogance and antics of the Maccabi Ajax Cricket Club" to comment “without fear of censorship.” A cricketer from another club referred to his German grandparents who “tried to get them all.”
Source:
http://www.jta.org/
Date: 05/09/07
04-09-2007 / United States
USA- Article by British parliamentarian on anti-Semitism in Europe
The Washington Post published an article written by Denis MacShane who chaired a committee in Britain examining anti-Semitism in Britain. In his article MacShane claims that anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe.
Date: 04/09/07
04-09-2007 / United States
The United States – Arrest of a Young Vandal in New York State
On 4th September 2007, an 18-year-old youth was arrested in Oceanside, New York for daubing swastikas in black on two synagogues in the area.
Date: September 4, 2007
02-09-2007 / United States
USA-men arrested for anti-Semitic graffiti on North Shore
Two men have been arrested and charged with bias crimes in a spate of Anti-Semitic graffiti left at five locations on the North Shore. Two young men aged 17 and 20, painted swastikas at two schools, a synagogue and on a home and a street sign in a residential neighborhood.
The 17 year old was charged as an adult with five counts of aggravated harassment in the first degree, four counts of criminal mischief in the third degree and four counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, police said.
The 20 year old was charged with eight counts of aggravated harassment in the first degree, seven counts of criminal mischief in the third degree and five counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
The 20 year old was charged with eight counts of aggravated harassment in the first degree, seven counts of criminal mischief in the third degree and five counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
Source:
www.newsday.com
Date: 02/09/07
31-08-2007 / United States
USA- Google hastens removal of far right
Google wants to delete all videos containing far right content from its YouTube video community platform as quickly as possible. Google spokesperson said "We distance ourselves categorically from inflammatory content on YouTube. Such content is illegal and in breach of YouTube guidelines." In future YouTube plans to monitor content uploaded by users more closely.
Date: 31/08/07
31-08-2007 / Hungary
Hungary- Fidesz dismisses anti-Semitic councilor from party
Main right-of-centre opposition Fidesz dismissed a local government representative from the party's ranks for making anti-Semitic remarks on the internet. Online news portal Hirszerzo on Thursday revealed some of the internet forum comments of Gabriella Cs. Kovacs, who chairs the regional development and environment committee of the local council of Leanyfalu (20 km north of Budapest), in Fidesz's ranks. Cs. Kovacs had admitted she was behind the handle which was used in several forums to make anti-Semitic comments. Another Fidesz member resigned from the party on Wednesday after being found among those responsible for putting up a mock-up photo depicting a openly gay member of the government outside the gates of a Nazi death camp wearing a pink triangle.
Date: 31/08/07
29-08-2007 / Argentina
Argentina– A Memorial Service for Holocaust Victims at the Greek Embassy in Buenos Aires
On 29th August 2007, a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Holocaust was held at the Greek Embassy in Buenos Aires. During the ceremony, both the Greek Ambassador Alexios Cogevinas and the DAIA Chair, Aldo Donzis addressed the audience. Donzis said that "Of the 77,000 Jews who had lived in Greece before the outbreak of World War II, almost 60,000 were murdered by the Nazis".
As had been the case in other European Embassies that had held similar ceremonies, DAIA presented the Greek Embassy with a statue by the artist Laura Nucenovich.
Source: DAIA
Date: August 29, 2007
28-08-2007 / Australia
Australia- parliamentarian condemns anti-Semitism in Melbourne
In state Parliament, the Member for Caulfield, Helen Shardey, expressed her unease over rising anti-Semitism in Melbourne.
Shardey said she was told Jewish children in primary schools were being "racially vilified by other children as young as eight".
Evidence from Victoria's Jewish community indicates that over the past year, there have been upwards of 160 attacks on Jews in Victoria. Yet apparently many assaults go unreported.
Date: 28/08/07
28-08-2007 / Russia
Russia-soccer fans charged with hate crime in Moscow
When five soccer fans from Moscow suburb of Solntsevo were arrested for shouting anti- Semitic slogans during a recent soccer match, they said they were "just kidding". Now they face up to two years behind bars for racial hatred. The case represent the first time fans at a sporting event, and not just the teams at play, have been prosecuted in Russia for hate crime. In this case, one of the teams may be fined as well. Solntsevo prosecutor Alexei Klimov formally charged the five fans this week with committing a hate crime. They briefly were detained on Aug. 28 but released the same day and ordered to stay in town until the court hearing.
Prosecutors and investigators rarely use Article 282-1 of the Russian Criminal Code which prohibits the incitement of racial hatred or humiliation, "because it is rather difficult to collect evidence and to prove the offender's intention". In this case, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov intervened personally. Wile the five men face criminal prosecution, the Alliance soccer club may be fined as much as 20,000$ for its fans' improper behavior. Even when fines are levied for anti-Semitic or racist behavior during soccer matches, usually they are levied against the club. This summer, for example, Spartak- Moscow was fined after its fans brandished a racist banner targeting a host team's dark- skinned player during a game in the city of Samara. The fans themselves were not detained. This Solntsevo case is the first one in Russia where the fans themselves were charged.
Source:
www.jta.org
Date: 28/08/07
