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October 16, 2020

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Facebook announces it will remove Holocaust Denial from online platforms

In welcoming the social media company’s decision, World Jewish Congress
President Ronald S. Lauder declared, “By taking the critical step to remove
Holocaust denial content, Facebook is showing that it recognizes Holocaust
denial for what it truly is – a form of antisemitism and therefore hate speech.”
He also called upon others to follow. Read More...
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[[link removed]]WATCH | Facebook’s VP of Global Policy Monika Bickert joins WJC for a special
edition of WebTalk

During a special sit down with the World Jewish Congress on Facebook Live,
Bickert explained that the company understands the dangers of Holocaust denial,
and outlines future steps that can be taken to reduce the spread of harmful
content. Read More...
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Facebook Newsroom | Read about the move in Facebook’s own words
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JTA Interview | WJC’s Director of International Affairs Yfat Barak-Cheney speaks
about the work behind the move
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Newly published Swedish report highlights concerning levels of antisemitism
online

Thirty-five percent of social media posts in Sweden focusing on Jews feature
antisemitic stereotypes or hostile statements about Jews, according to a study
published by the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI). Reacting to the report’s
findings, Aron Verständig, Chairman of the Jewish Central Council in Stockholm,
called for social media operators “to ensure this kind of dangerous conspiracy
theories do not spread on their platform.” Read Now...
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[[link removed]]LAJC and DAIA report that social media companies are getting better at taking
down antisemitism in Spanish | JTA

The Observatorio Web — a joint initiative between the Latin American Jewish
Congress and Argentina’s DAIA and AMIA organizations — released a report finding
that the quantity of antisemitic content on Google in connection with the term
“Jew” has dropped by 50% over the past year. Read More...
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[[link removed]]September 2020: Antisemitism in review

The World Jewish Congress has compiled a brief review of a number of concerning
antisemitic incidents recorded over the course of the month of September. When
viewed together, the facts paint a disturbing picture. Read More...
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[[link removed]]The lesson from Halle: We must take action against antisemitism, racism, and
fascism

European Union of Jewish Students President Bini Guttman reflects on the Yom
Kippur attack that took place in the German city one year ago, and calls for
society to wake up to the dangers of hate: "Racism kills. Antisemitism kills.
Fascism kills." Read More...
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Details emerge of Israel’s coronavirus cabinet plan of action | JPost

In an interview with Army Radio Thursday, Israel's coronavirus expert Dr. Ronni
Gamzu points out that the number of new daily infections has fallen below 2,000
confirmed cases. Read More...
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[[link removed]]Knesset formally approves UAE deal | AP

Thursday’s approval by the Knesset passed with an overwhelming majority. The
deal reflects a shift in the Middle East as Arab countries are growing
increasingly concerned about the Iranian regime’s regional aims. Read More...
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[[link removed]]Rabbi Benny Lau issues guide to help religious Jews engage with their LGBTQ+
family members | JPost

The document is intended to provide guidance on relationships for families of
members of the religious LGBTQ+ community which has been severely lacking from
religious literature, Rabbi Lau explained. Read More...
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[[link removed]]Fall Israel Fest: How to expand your network

Join the Start-Up Nation Mentorship this Saturday evening as a part of the Fall Israel Fest [[link removed]] for a special web event on the Israeli business eco-system. Featuring a special
live performance by 2018 Eurovision winner Netta Barzilai. Learn more and register here.
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[[link removed]]WebTalk | Building Bridges Through Sports: Stories from a Professional
Basketball Coach

In the interview, former NBA coach David Blatt reflected on his experience as a
coach in the NBA, as well as the responsibility of becoming a cultural
ambassador for Israel and the Jewish people. Read More...
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Palestinian leadership needs to get its act together

"World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder’s visit
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significant event that underscored the reality that there are many Jews and
Israelis who genuinely wish to achieve peace with the Palestinians...The
Palestinians should build on the Lauder visit and reconstruct their relations
with Israel," writes Ray Hanania in Arab News . Read More...
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Guatemalan government introduces legislation to prevent financing of Hezbollah |
Algemeiner Journal

The proposed bill would impose tighter controls on banks and other financial
institutions that are used by Hezbollah to process and move its funds. In
January, in a move applauded by the US and Israel, Guatemala, along with
Colombia and Honduras, announced it would designate Hezbollah as a terrorist
group. Read More...
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IHRA adopts working definition of anti-Roma discrimination

The adoption was announced by IHRA chairwoman and German Ambassador Michaela
Küchler on 8 October, who explained, “Our working definition will provide us
with an important tool to address the rising tide of anti-Roma sentiment and
safeguard the historical record of the crimes committed by Nazi Germany and its
collaborators.” Read More...
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14 October 1943 | 600 Jewish inmates revolt in Sobibór

The revolt was led by two Jewish prisoners, one a Soviet officer, Lieutenant
Alexander Pechersky, the other, a Polish Jew named Leon Feldhendler. Three
hundred inmates succeeded in escaping from the death camp, of whom about 200
initially survived the intense manhunt in the surrounding area. Read More...
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[[link removed]]15 October 1894 | Future Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett born

Sharett was one of the signatories to Israel’s Declaration of Independence and
became the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of the nascent country. When
Ben-Gurion retired for the first time in 1953, Sharett was appointed Prime
Minister. Read More...
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[[link removed]]16 October 1886 | Israel’s First Prime Minister and “Father of the Nation” David
Ben-Gurion born

Originally known as David Gruen, Ben-Gurion was born to Victor Gruen, one of the
leaders of the Hovevei Zion [Lovers of Zion] movement, which advocated for the
Jewish return to the Land of Israel. He would go on to serve as Israel’s
inaugural prime minister and become known as the “Father of the Nation.” Read More...
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WJC @ UNHRC: Combating conspiracy myths during the age of COVID-19

Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council, WJC urged the Council and
governments to implement strategies to combat conspiracy myths and hate speech. Watch Now...
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Check out more from the UNHRC
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