The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) calls the Canadian Jewish Community to boycott  United Church

31. August 2012 – After the United Church decided to boycott goods produced in the disputed territories, the CIJA now urges Canada’s Jewish Community to boycott the United Church, Canada’s biggest protestant church.  Read more. 

Many Swedish Politicians are Anti-Israel 

31. August 2012 – Formally, the Swedish government adopts a neutral position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ilya Meyer, Vice-Chair of the Sweden-Israel Friendship Association had a closer look and analysed Swedish politicians’ decisions. Read more.

Ayatollah Khamenei is blaming the US and Israel for unrest in Syria

31. August 2012 – During a meeting with the Prime Minister of Syria, Wael al-Halqui, Ayatollah Khamenei blamed the US and Israel for the current crisis in Syria. He further called on the Syrian government to reveal American-Israeli intentions in order to educate the world about the reality in Syria. Read more. 

Pro-Palestinian activist from Chile compares Zionists to Nazis 

31. August 2012 – Mauricio Abu Ghosh, President of Chile’s Palestine Federation, stated last week in a local radio station that “the Nazis were small fry compared to today’s Zionists, who make up the State of Israel”.  The Chilean Jewish community is concerned about such statements. Read more. 

Bronze for Israeli swimmer at the Paralympics 

31. August 2012 – Israeli swimmer, Inbal Pizaro, wins a bronze medal after 50 meter freestyle. Finishing the final race within 37.89 seconds, she was the first Israeli athlete winning a medal in London 2012. No Israeli athlete obtained a medal neither in the Olympics, nor in the Paralympics before, this year. Read more. 

Anti-Israel protesters target store selling Israeli shoes in Australia

30. August 2012 – A new campaign was launched by the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and anti-Israel activists in Australia. Targets are businesses “selling the products of apartheid Israel”. 50 members of the Justice for Palestine went from business to business, handing out letters to the store managers, demanding to stop selling products from Israel. Read more. 

Travelling to Israel? Many Western countries warn their citizens 

31. August 2012 – Some western countries warn their citizens from travelling to disputed territories or the border areas. Others warn for bad drivers, crime-ridden places, tab-water and religious extremists. None of the travel alerts mentions the threat coming from Iran. Read more. 



Protesters disrupt Israel’s Batsheva dance troupe at a festival in Scottish Edinburgh 

31. August 2012 – The Festival had to stop three times due to Anti-Israel protesters demonstrating against the Israeli government’s policies concerning Gaza and the West Bank. People demonstrating were shouting slurs such as “Free, Free Palestine” and “Your tickets are covered in Palestinian blood”. Read more.



GasTerm Eesti apologised over Auschwitz gas advert 

30. August 2012 – The Estonian GasTerm Eesti company published earlier last week a photography showing the gates of Auschwitz and advertising their gas and heating services. After several complaints the company removed the photography and officially apologised to the public. Read more.

Iran doubled its underground nuclear capacity, IAEA report says

30. August 2012 - A quarterly report, published by the International Atomic Energy Agency, reported that Iran has doubled the number of uranium enrichment machines. Iran is still not giving in to pressure from the Western world, urging the theocracy to provide the UN with full information about their nuclear programme. Read more.

Prosecutors dismiss criminal complaint against Rabbi Yitshak Ehrenberg

30. August 2012 – After being interviewed by German talk show host, Anne Will, Rabbi Ehrenberg was sued by a viewer for performing circumcision and stating publicly that he won’t stop it. The case was dismissed by a local court in Berlin. Implementing the court decision which was ruled in Cologne, outlawing circumcision, is not planned in Berlin, which is also one of the Federal States in Germany. Read more.

University of California rejects a resolution on anti-Semitism

30. August 2012 – The California State Assembly approved a resolution combatting anti-Semitism on College and University campuses. Universities and Colleges are called on to implement the resolution. The University of California says that they are not planning on adapting it, since it would violate the First Amendment.  Read more. 

Former Christian Dior designer, John Galliano, sues Dior over firing him for anti-Semitic remarks

29. August 2012 – It was reported that Galiano filed an USD 18.7 million lawsuit against Christian Dior for firing him for anti-Semitic comments. Read more. 

Business owners in India naming their shops after Adolf Hitler defend their decision 

30. August 2012 – Indian business men don’t see why they should change the name of shops named after Hitler. The Indian Jewish community – along with Jewish communities’ world wide – is shocked about the current situation and harshly criticize business owners naming their shops after Hitler. The brand name in most cases includes a Swastika, an old Hindu symbol. Read more.

New Circumcision Law planned in Germany, Justice Minister says

30. August 2012 – Rabbi Cooper and Dr. Shimon Samuels held a meeting with German Minister of Justice, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, in which they were told that the German government is doing its best to “remove the uncertainty” concerning the case. The current legislation draft focuses on parents keeping the right to decide about having their sons circumcised or not. Read more. 

Jordanian authorities want to deport rioting Syrian refugees

30. August 2012 – The Prime Minister of Jordan, Fayez Tarawneh, stated on Wednesday that those refugees responsible for violence will be deported to Syria. At present 150 Syrian refugees are in police custody. Read more. 

UN Chief, Ban Ki-Moon, criticizes Iran’s human rights record while in Tehran

29. August 2012 – Ban Ki-Moon urges the Iranian Regime to start working together with the UN on the human right issues in their county. The Chief of the UN pointed out his concerns about the current situation in Iran to Iranian officials and asked them to improve freedoms in the theocracy. Opposition groups urged Ban Ki-Moon to criticize Iran’s political system. Read more. 

Charges filed against Rabbi Yitshak Ehrenberg from Berlin for vowing to continue circumcisions

29. August 2012 – After being provoked by German talk show host, Anne Will, Rabbi Ehrenberg at the end of the interview, having the last word, spoke out in favour of circumcisions and stated that it is a basic Jewish Law and therefore will be continued. Due to the comments he made at the end of the interview criminal charges against him have been filed, his office confirmed. Read more.

Police in East Lansing/ Michigan says the attack of a Jewish Student is not to be seen as hate crime

29. August 2012 – Zachary Tennen says he was attacked by two fellow students which stapled his mouth due to his religious belief. Before breaking his jaw and stapling Tennen’s mouth he was told by the students attacking him that they are “Nazis and in the KKK”. The Police investigating the incident does not believe Tennen is a victim of a hate crime. Tennen’s family is shocked and willed to privately sue the men that attacked their son. Read more.   

Rabbi Yona Metzger appeals Geert Wilders not to force Dutch Jews leaving the Netherlands

29. August 2012 - Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yona Metzger, spoke out against Dutch politician Geert Wilders attempts to ban ritual slaughter. Wilders primarily anti-Muslim Party, Party for Freedom, adopted a ban on ritual slaughter in its election platform. Read more. 

Ban Ki-Moon tells Khamenei to stop threatening Israel

29. August 2012 – On Wednesday, the UN Chief, Ban Ki-Moon, met Iran’s president and Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. He urged him and his regime to stop verbally attacking and threatening Israel. Furthermore, Ban Ki-Moon asked Ayatollah Khamenei to prove the world that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. Read more. 



Haredi man from NY sentences to 40 years of jail after brutally murdering an 8 year – old boy

29. August 2012 - Haredi man, Levi Aron, pleaded guilty in the murder case of Leiby Kletzky. He admitted that he kidnapped, killed and dismembered the lost 8 year old boy in 2011. New York City has one of the biggest Orthodox Jewish communities outside of Israel.  Read more.

Simon Wiesenthal Centre asks the German government to clarify the ban of circumcision by the end of this year

29. August 2012 – Rabbi Cooper and Dr. Shimon Samuels from the Simon Wiesenthal Centre stated that banning circumcision, as a German court ruled, is to be seen as “extraordinarily dangerous”.  The Simon Wiesenthal Centre asks for clarification in this issue by the German government.  Read more.

Antisemitic attacks against French Jews increased by 40% since March

29. August 2012 - French Jewish parents, being worried about the safety of their children, send them more often to schools in Israel, the US or Canada. Antisemitic attacks increased in France by 40% since the deadly terror attack by al-Qaida inspired Mohmmed Merah in the beginning of March this year. Read more.

Germany showing lack of sensitivity towards Nazi Era crimes when granting awards

28. August 2012 - The Israeli Ambassador to Germany, Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, and the Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Office in Jerusalem, Dr. Efraim Zutoff, harshly criticised Germany for granting awards to American Prof. Judith Butler and Lithuanian Prof. Irena Veisaite. Read more. 

Turkey urges UN to set up a safe zone in Syria

29. August 2012 - Turkey urged the UN creating a safe zone under foreign protection within Syria in order to protect displaced Syrians. France is one of the few countries supporting the Turkish state. Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, is not willed debating a potential buffer zone on Syrian territory and stated explicitly that he is against international intervention. Read more. 

“Iran Task Force” set up by UN nuclear watchdog in Vienna

29. August 2012 - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna set up a nuclear watchdog in order to monitor Iran. Regularly inspecting nuclear sites in Iran the IAEA is getting more concerned about Iran’s intentions and the military dimensions of their nuclear program. Iran is continuously insisting that its nuclear work is of peaceful manner. Read more. 

A Rabbi and his six-year-old daughter were physically attacked in Berlin 

29. August 2012 – Four teenager of Arab origin attacked a local Rabbi in Berlin physically. One of the young men hit the Rabbi several times on his head, made antisemitic statements about Judaism and threatened to kill the Rabbi’s daughter. The attack will be treated as a hate crime.  Mayor Klaus Wowereit condemned the attack publicly and a special police Unit began investigating the incident. Read more.  

Paralympics to start in London today

29. August 2012 – From August 29th until September 9th, 2012 the 14th Paralympics will take place in London. The Opening ceremony will be at 8pm local time. 4200 athletes are participating in this year’s games.  Since the Paralympics started in 1976 Canada has always been in the Top 10. Read more.

Teacher’s Rally at Queens Park in Toronto peaceful

29. August 2012 - Yesterday thousands of teachers from across the Province of Ontario protested in front of Toronto’s Queens Park against a proposed Law leading to freezing their wages for two years and cutting benefits. The present teachers protested for the government to respect collective bargaining rights and negotiation instead of dictation. Read more. 

Former Official says Yasser Arafat was not poisoned by Israel

29. August 2012 -Former chief of staff under Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister, Dov Weisglass, says that Israeli had no intention of poisoning former Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, in 2004. Following a Swiss lab’s claim to have found traces of a deadly substance in Yasser Arafat’s belongings, France I preparing to begin investigations. Read more. 

Terror Academy in Gaza established by PRC: First class graduated this week

28. August 2012 - The military wing of Gaza’s Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), the third largest terror organization in the disputed territories, established the new Shahid Imad Hamad Academy of Military Training. Main goal of the institution is fighting the State of Israel. In the Military Academy Terrorists are trained how to combat IDF. The first class graduated this week. Read more. 

Iran denied showing nuclear sites to diplomats 

28. August 2012 - After the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzahdeh, mentioned yesterday that diplomats visiting Iran for this week’s Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) might be allowed to visit the Parchin military base, the Iranian government stated today that there are no such plans. On Friday, Aug. 24th, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) tried obtaining the allowance of accessing Parchin but the request was denied. Read more. 

Haifa Court Rules that U.S. activist Rachel Corrie’s death was an unfortunate accident

28. August 2012 - In 2003 the Pro-Palestinian U.S. activist Rachel Corrie (23) was run over by a military bulldozer in the Gaza Strip while protesting housing demolitions. Accusing the State of Israel of intentionally killing their daughter, the family filed lawsuit in Haifa. The court ruled that that the State is not responsible for Rachel Corrie’s death. Read more. 

In the last 24 hours 3,300 Syrian refugees fled to Jordan

28. August 2012 - Jordan currently is hosting more than 160,000 Syrian refugees. In the last 24 hours, 3,300 Syrians have fled from the South of Syria to the UN refugee agency states.  International donors requesting basic services for refugees launched $429 million aid appeal. Read more. 

Rally for Public Education: August 28th at Queen’s Park

28. August 2012 - Teachers are planning a rally in the afternoon of August 28th at Toronto’s Queen’s Park to protest a bill introduced on Monday which leads to cutting benefits and freezing their wages. The rally starts at 1:30 pm.  Present will be the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario (EFTO), the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation (OSSTF) and CUPE Ontario. Read more. 

Police investigating: Racial slur found outside of Halifax Church

28. August 2012 - On Sunday morning, the congregation of the Cornwallis Street United Baptist Church in Halifax found a racial slur scrawled on a plaque commemorating the Rev. Richard Preston, the founder of the church. After escaping slavery he became a lead figure for the African Nova Scoatian community. The church has 235 members, 75% of which are of African background. The police is investigating the racist incident. Read more. 

Antisemitic hate rally’ shouldn’t be allowed on Ontario legislature grounds

By Sarah Boesveld in the National Post 

Canadian Jewish groups are urging the Ontario government to stop an “anti-Semitic hate rally” from taking place on the steps of the legislature next month, saying it’s highly inappropriate for the Shia Muslim organized event to be held on public land.

At last year’s Al-Quds Day, speakers likened Israel to a cancer, waved yellow Hezbollah flags and hoisted images of Ayatollah Khomeini, the Iranian leader of the Islamic Revolution who started the day in 1979 to mark the last Friday of Ramadan.

This year, the “International Day of Al-Quds” say they will gather to “express solidarity with all the oppressed of the world” and to “particularly remember the innocent civilians of Palestine who have been, and continue to be victimized by the oppressive and racist Zionist regime.”

Avi Benlolo, president and CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, sent a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty Monday, asking that the government take “every step possible” to prevent the Al-Quds Day organizers from getting a permit allowing them to protest at Queen’s Park on August 18th.

READ MORE . . .