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	August 14, 2020

Facebook updates community guidelines to call for removal of hateful Jewish stereotypes

World Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said: “The World Jewish Congress has worked closely with Facebook to encourage the platform to remove harmful content including stereotypes as a form of hate speech. We applaud Facebook for its leadership and hope this move will be a guiding light for other social media companies to follow. The propagation of antisemitic myths can lead to scapegoating and extreme violence against Jews.”

Israel and UAE agree to normalize relations in historic agreement

Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached an historic agreement on Thursday to normalize diplomatic relations between the two nations. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder welcomed the agreement, describing it as, “a tremendous step forward for these states, the region, and the peace process. This is an historic moment, facilitated in great part by the Trump administration, that demonstrates that diplomacy and dialogue can lead to progress and cooperation.”

The World Jewish Congress mourns the death of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz 

“Rabbi Steinsaltz was one of the towering intellects of the modern era. In his gentle, unassuming manner, he taught thousands upon thousands the beauty and depth of Jewish culture and tradition, making the Talmud accessible to contemporary and future generations as never before. The World Jewish Congress was privileged by his presence and wisdom at numerous of our events over the years," said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder

World Jewish Congress thanks TikTok for prompt removal of antisemitic content

World Jewish Congress Executive Vice President Maram Stern said, “The World Jewish Congress continues to partner with TikTok and other social media companies in mutual efforts to ensure that these platforms are not sources for disseminating harmful antisemitic content. We are pleased to see that our work together has led to the removal of a significant amount of hateful content that attacks and endangers Jews.”

U.S. State Department report highlights urgent need for restitution to Holocaust survivors

“The JUST Act’s broad bipartisan passage in 2018 further demonstrates Congress’ commitment to keeping Holocaust issues above politics. While many countries have worked to honor their 2009 pledges, the time is long overdue for remaining nations to put their own partisan politics aside and ensure justice for Holocaust survivors,” said WJC President Ronald S. Lauder. 

WebTalk | Germany's fight against antisemitism goes global

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) President Ambassador Michaela Küchler spoke about the fight against antisemitism around the world with WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps member Dr. Efrat Sopher. 

Bulgarian Deputy PM spreads antisemitic conspiracy myth involving George Soros

The remarks accused NGOs backed by Soros of, “[wanting] to take power in order to introduce gay marriage.” The WJC-affiliated Organization of Jews in Bulgaria ‘Shalom’ condemned the statement saying, “although these theories regarding George Soros do not mention his Jewish heritage, they are strongly antisemitic in nature and allude to the false narrative of Jewish intervention in socio-economic processes in countries around the world.”

Ukraine police apprehend Mariupol synagogue attacker | The UNIAN

The attempted ax attack took place on 28 July, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av. The synagogue’s rabbi and a handful of worshippers were present at the time of the attack.

Harrisburg synagogue defaced with swastikas | The Patriot-News

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse and Rev. Russell W. Goodman of Calvary United Methodist condemned the incident, writing, “We stand in complete support of and solidarity with the members of Kesher Israel and the entire Jewish community of Greater Harrisburg. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. All of God’s creation is holy, and worthy to be loved.”

Antisemitic graffiti found at office of Manhattan Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright | New York Daily News

“We will never be intimidated by this criminal act,” said Assemblywoman Seawright, who hosted a virtual town hall on combating antisemitism just last month. “We have called for a hate crimes investigation. We stand before you today to denounce this disgraceful and hateful crime. We will remain vigilant.”

Former Major League player Cody Decker says antisemitism is ‘rampant’ in pro baseball  | Jewish Telegraphic Agency 

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Decker, who played for Israel’s national team in the World Baseball Classic, detailed several instances of antisemitism over the course of his career in which he was singled out for being Jewish and was the target of slurs by fans and teammates.

Yemeni Jewish family reunited in UAE

A Yemeni-Jewish family was reunited in the United Arab Emirates after 15 years of separation, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). “The happiness of this family is something all of us can understand and share,” said Jewish Council of the Emirates President Ross Kriel. 

Beirut synagogue appears to suffer only minor damage from deadly blast | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

The photo of the Maghen Abraham Synagogue shows some debris and dust on the floor of the synagogue and on plastic sheets covering the pews. The walls show no cracks and it’s not clear whether the glass windows were shattered, but the frames seem to be in place.

Secret letters of a Jewish family torn apart by the Holocaust rediscovered   

After being arrested and imprisoned in December 1943 by the Nazis for the “crime” of being Jewish, Daniele Israel secretly sent more than 250 letters to his wife, Anna, and children Vittorio and Dario, who were in hiding in Trieste. The letters are now recognized as treasures, after a chance 2017 meeting between researchers from MyHeritage and Vittorio.

The Jewish refugees in Hong Kong

After WWII, Jews who had found refuge around the world to escape the Holocaust were seeking to settle in a permanent home. In 1946, Hong Kong opened its doors to 280 Jewish refugees who were on their way to Australia.

Colombia will open trade office in Jerusalem, President Duque says | The Times of Israel

President Ivan Duque made the announcement during a videoconference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu marking the ratification of a free-trade agreement between the two countries.

Egypt demands end to balloon attacks on Israel | The Jerusalem Post

Senior Egyptian intelligence officials contacted leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and warned them that the continued attacks on Israel could lead to an all-out military confrontation in the Gaza Strip.

Australia news show airs segment with photographer blaming Israel for Beirut explosion

Following the incident, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry lodged a formal complaint with FreeTV Australia, the industry body that represents the Free-to-air Australian TV network. The complaint calls for the host, Waleed Aly, to provide, “an unqualified, unreserved retraction and apology on-air during the program, and at the earliest opportunity.”

France’s Macron warns Iran against ‘interference’ in Lebanon | The Times of Israel

In telephone talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, President Macron emphasized the, “necessity for all the powers concerned… to avoid any outside interference and to support the putting in place of a government which can manage the emergency.”

Scholar presents interactive map of Hezbollah terrorist operations

The first-ever interactive multimedia tool chronicles Hezbollah’s terror activities using verified up-to-date information about the organization. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist entity by the United States, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Arab League, and many Latin American countries. 

Inside the Struggle Between Israel and Hezbollah 

With ongoing Iranian backing, the Lebanese terror group is more determined than ever to deliver offensive blows inside Israeli territory, writes Shimon Shapira in the Tablet. 

9 August 2001 | Sbarro suicide bombing kills 15, wounds 130 

Seven Palestinian terrorists were involved in the attack, including Izz Al-Din Shuheil al-Masri who carried out the bombing, and Ahlam Tamimi, who scouted out the target. Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack. 

12 August 1952 | 13 Jewish intellectuals executed in ‘Night of the Murdered Poets’

The thirteen Jewish intellectuals were executed by a firing squad in Moscow’s Lubyanka prison after being convicted on accounts of treason and espionage. Their trials were kept secret even well after the verdicts were determined and the executions were carried out. 

14 August 1889 | 130 Jewish families arrived in Buenos Aires

On this day, 824 Jews fleeing the Russian Empire arrived in Argentina to establish a Jewish agricultural settlement in Moises Ville in Argentina’s Santa Fe province. The community was named in honor of European Jewish philanthropist Baron Maurice de Hirsch, who was instrumental in building the community.

Beirut's Maghen Avraham synagogue is now fully restored

The historic Maghen Avraham synagogue in Beirut, Lebanon was recently renovated after years of works. Thankfully it has not suffered major damage in the explosion in Beirut last week and remains a gem of the country's Jewish presence.

Marking 84 years of the World Jewish Congress

In August 1936, as Jews were being oppressed and persecuted in Nazi Germany and elsewhere, the World Jewish Congress was established as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people. To mark the 84th anniversary of  the WJC, we asked some of our colleagues about what inspires them most about their work.

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