AJC Dispatch

Spotlight

Introducing People of the Pod, a new weekly podcast and partnership between AJC and The Times of Israel. People of the Pod will examine political events, the people driving them, and what it all means for the Jewish people and Israel. In the inaugural episode, Times of Israel Jewish World Editor Amanda Borschel-Dan joins us from the newsroom in Jerusalem to discuss how People of the Pod came to be and what listeners can expect from this exciting new podcast partnership. Leah and Simcha Goldin also join us to discuss their quest to retrieve the body of their son, Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed by Hamas terrorists in 2014. Lastly, we hear from Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll, a writer, activist, and co-founder of Chochmat Nashim, an NGO amplifying the voices of women in Israel and fighting extremism. .

Must-reads

Israel, Iran Shadow War Breaks Out Into Open
The New York Times / 3-minute read
In recent days, Israel has reportedly carried out a string of operations across the Middle East to disrupt what is believed to be Iran’s arms-supply line through Iraq and northern Syria to Lebanon and allies across the region. The attacks, including two airstrikes in Syria and Iraq and a drone explosion near a Hezbollah facility south of Beirut, signal a new phase in the shadow war between Iran and Israel, which some fear could ignite a full-blown conflict. Meanwhile, Hamas fired missiles on Israel from Gaza, a 17-year-old Israeli girl was killed by terrorists and Israeli intelligence thwarted an Iranian-backed drone attack via Syria. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: "Israel will defend itself – as it must.” Read more

As Tensions Between U.S., Iran Escalate, Jews Could Be Targets
JTA / 2-minute read
With tensions rising between the Unites States and Iran, U.S. law enforcement has warned American Jewish communities that they could be targets of the Islamic Republic or its proxies, including the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. The Secure Community Network, the security arm of national Jewish organizations, recently convened a call with officials from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and the National Counterterrorism Center to discuss the potential threat from Iran and Hezbollah. Over the weekend, Iran openly threatened the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, D.C. think tank. AJC tweeted: “We stand in solidarity with our friends @FDD in the face of this outrageous and dangerous move by Iran.” Read more

Elderly Jewish Man Attacked in Crown Heights
The Jerusalem Post / 1-minute read
An elderly Jewish man was bashed in the head with a brick this week in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, the latest in a series of similar crimes against Jews in New York City. The incident is under investigation by the New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force. "Has it become too dangerous for openly religious Jewish men to walk the streets of NY City?" tweeted City Councilman Chaim Deutsch. Join AJC in pushing the House and Senate to pass the NO HATE Act to strengthen laws that combat hate speech, threats, and attacks. The National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act would improve reporting and expand assistance and resources for victims of hate crimes. Read more

Steve King Back in Spotlight After Jokes About Force-Feeding Muslims
The New York Times / 3-minute read
U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa, who has a history of making racist and insensitive comments about immigrants, struck again this week – this time during a town hall in Iowa where he found humor in reports that China has force-fed pork to Uighur Muslims, a violation of their religious dietary restrictions. The Iowa Republican made the joke while criticizing China for detaining millions of Uighur Muslims in detention camps, forcing them to wear Chinese clothing and eat a Chinese diet, which includes pork. “That's actually the only part of that that I agree with, is everybody ought to eat pork," he added with a chuckle. “If you have a shortage of bacon, you can’t be happy.” AJC tweeted: “Human rights are no laughing matter. @SteveKingIA’s ugly and offensive conduct keeps crossing red lines. The GOP leadership should condemn him (again) and demand that he apologize.” Read more

Good to Know

German Soccer Team Refuses to Acknowledge Fans Over Antisemitic Chants
The Times of Israel / 1-minute read
A German soccer team has called out its fans for antisemitic and racist chants during a recent match. Members of the Chemnitzer Football Club, from a region known for a well-established neo-Nazi network, refused to acknowledge its traveling fans as is customary at the end of a match Saturday after spectators called the team’s owner a “Jewish pig.” The owner recently fired the team captain for supporting far-right fans and their antisemitic taunts. AJC’s Transatlantic Institute tweeted: “We commend the Chemnitzer soccer team for their strong statement: Antisemitism ‘cannot have any acceptance in our society.’” Read more

South Africa’s Constitutional Court Hears High Profile Hate Speech Case
The Jerusalem Post / 2-minute read
After a decade-long legal process, South Africa’s Constitutional Court is finally hearing a case against the former spokesman for the country’s main trade union who, during a 2009 event at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand, threatened violence against South African Jewish families, sayings Jews who continue to stand with Israel must “not just be encouraged, but forced to leave South Africa.” A month earlier, he had written a blog post attacking Jews. “As we struggle to liberate Palestine from the racists, fascists, and Zionists who belong to the era of their friend Hitler,” he wrote, “we must not apologize, every Zionist must be made to drink the bitter medicine they are feeding our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We must target them, expose them, and do all that is needed to subject them to perpetual suffering until they withdraw from the land of others and stop their savage attacks on human dignity.” Read more

Hungary’s Prime Minister Relying On Rabbi to Rescue Holocaust Museum
The Washington Post / 3-minute read
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has tapped Chabad Rabbi Slomo Koves to reimagine the concept for a $23 million Holocaust history museum, known as the House of Fates. Completed three years ago, the museum building has stood empty, stalled by allegations that it aims to whitewash Hungary’s history of turning against its Jewish citizens during World War II. Orban’s administration already amended Hungary’s constitution and erected memorials to portray Hungary as a victim of the Germans during the Holocaust. Koves defended Orban, saying his support for Israel and friendship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proves he’s not antisemitic and his intentions are genuine. Koves anticipates the museum will be open by 2021. Read more

New York County Republican Ad Warns of Jewish ‘Takeover’
The Forward / 1-minute read
The Republican party in a northern suburb of New York City removed an antisemitic campaign video Thursday after major backlash. This past spring, public health officials traced a measles outbreak to the growing Orthodox Jewish community in Rockland County, prompting the state of New York to bar unvaccinated minors from public places. The health scare exacerbated already simmering tensions about the influx of large families and the impact that would have on area housing and public schools. The video posted on social media by the Rockland County Republican Party warned that a local county lawmaker who is Orthodox was plotting a “takeover” of the area. “If they win, we lose,” the video said. “Take back control.” AJC tweeted: “Regardless of one’s politics, this is a disgusting and outrageous display. The Rockland County Republican Party should apologize to all New Yorkers and delete the video NOW.” The video was removed. Read more

Tidings

HBO Drama Revives National Trauma for Israel (NYT)
Israeli Writer of Absurd Comes of Age (NYT)
Israeli Wins Gold Medal in World Championship (Haaretz)

The articles featured here do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

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