French Jewish leader compared Radical Islamism to Nazism

19. October 2012 – Richard Prasquier, president of the French Jewish community umbrella organization CRIF, has compared Radical Islamism to Nazism following the rise of anti-Semitism in France.  He stated that the views had two characteristics in common. Read more.

Jewish graves desecrated in New Zealand

19. October 2012 – About 20 graves in central Auckland, some dating back to the 1880s, were vandalized with spray-painted with Nazi symbols, including swastikas. Stephen Goodman, president of the New Zealand Jewish Council, said it was the first anti-Semitic vandalism at the cemetery. Read more.

Dutch town drops plan for joint memorial to Holocaust victims and German soldiers

19. October 2012 – Following protests in the Netherlands, the Dutch town of Geffen decided not to display the names of German Wehrmacht soldiers along with Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Geffen’s Mayor, Roel Augusteijn, said that the monument “was meant to promote reconciliation”. Read more.

Russia to save Israel from UNESCO condemnation

18. October 2012 – On Wednesday members of the UNESCO vote on five resolutions proposed by Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Syria. If passed, it would have led to strong criticism of the state of Israel. Russia’s envoy to the UN successfully suggested an alternative plan, delaying resolution for a six month period in which an independent UN fact-finding mission would be send to Jerusalem. Read more.

Germany’s parliament considering reviewing of education programs in school

18. October 2012 – After receiving a government commissioned report showing that anti-Semitism in Germany remains high the German parliament, the Bundestag, considered changing education programs at German schools. Currently the education on anti-Semitism in Germany focuses on the Holocaust only. Read more.