American Jewish Committee

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For over a century, AJC has defended the values that unite us. Across the U.S. and around the world, we’re building durable coalitions to take on antisemitism and all forms of hatred and bigotry. But we can’t do this work alone. Please donate to AJC today. Now through December 31, your gift and impact will be doubled.

Advocacy Anywhere

Advocacy Anywhere is AJC’s online platform bringing you top-quality content during the pandemic. Join us on Monday, December 7, for an exclusive conversation with President Iván Duque of Colombia, about the important Colombia-U.S.-Israel trilateral relationship. Then, on Monday, December 14, Archbishop Elpidophoros, leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, joins Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations, for a Hanukkah conversation on rising antisemitism, faith during this challenging holiday season, the strong cooperative bond between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, and Orthodox Christian-Jewish relations. View the Advocacy Anywhere page for information on past and future programs.

On Air

Intrigue in Iran and the Stories of Mizrahi Jews
People of the Pod / 25-minute listen
Sima Shine, former head of the Mossad’s research division and current senior researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), joins us to discuss recent developments related to Iran, including the recent death of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who headed the country’s nuclear weapons program. Then, AJC Los Angeles Associate Director Saba Soomekh talks about the importance of telling the stories of Mizrahi Jews, Manya Brachear Pashman shares the story of a very important menorah, and Seffi Kogen delves into the political rumblings happening in Israel this week. Listen now

Must-reads

British Soccer League Adopts Working Definition of Antisemitism
JTA / 1-minute read
Arguably the world’s most popular soccer league, the English Premier League announced on Thursday that it had adopted the Working Definition of Antisemitism developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In addition to blatant prejudice against Jews, the definition includes stereotypes and conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, and the demonization of Israel as examples of Jew hatred. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: “GOAL! One of world’s most admired sporting groups—British @premierleague—has ... said a resounding NO to any bigotry against Jews.” He also called on American sports teams to do the same. “Just imagine the potential reach and impact if American sports leagues, beginning with MLB, NBA, and NFL, follow the British lead,” Harris said in a statement praising the decision. Watch Lord John Mann, UK Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, on AJC Advocacy Anywhere, where he discusses the importance of making sure the sporting world sets the gold standard in the fight against antisemitism. Read more

Israel Faces Prospect of New Elections
The Washington Post / 3-minute read
The Knesset has passed a bill to dissolve itself, setting the stage for a fourth round of Israeli elections in two years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Defense Minister Benny Gantz to withdraw support for the bill, but declined to say he would hand over the helm to his coalition partner as promised six months ago. As the dissolution bill moves through committee, leaders could strike a deal that would avert early elections. Even if the bill fails, though, the government has until December 23 to pass a 2020 budget or else elections will automatically be scheduled for March 23, 2021. Read more

Rashida Tlaib Scrubs Antisemitic Tweet
New York Post / 1-minute read
A retweet on Sunday containing an antisemitic slogan calling for the elimination of the State of Israel has vanished from Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Mich.) Twitter account. The original tweet included an illustration of two women, one holding up a peace sign and one holding up a fist, and the words “International day of solidarity with the Palestinian people.” The message above the drawing read “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” the original slogan of the Palestine Liberation Organization, a version of which was later adopted by the Hamas terrorist group. The rallying cry calls for Palestinian control of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea and the elimination of the Jewish state. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: “A Member of Congress, Rashida Tlaib, has endorsed Israel’s end. Let that sink in. She’s saying Israel a country w/ 9+ million people, world’s only Jewish-majority nation, UN member since 1949, key US ally & thriving democracy should disappear. Beyond appalling!” Read more

AJC Shabbat Table

This week, in AJC’s Shabbat Table, we reflect once again on the story of Jacob and Esau. But this time we focus on Jacob’s struggle with his demons and the journey toward self-acceptance that’s needed for him to have a healthy relationship with his brother. We revisit two moments in history when American Jews fought on behalf of their fellow Jews abroad unsuccessfully during the Holocaust and triumphantly a half century later during the movement to free Soviet Jewry. We then open a discussion about the lessons Jewish activists can take from these two movements and what should be on our agenda next. Read more

Good to Know

AJC Praises Slovenia’s Terrorist Designation of Hezbollah
AJC.org / 1-minute read
Following the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, Slovenia this week became the sixth European Union country to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization in its entirety. Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Honduras, Israel, Kosovo, Paraguay, Serbia, United Kingdom, and United States, as well as the Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council, also have taken similar action.The EU lists the so-called “military” wing of Hezbollah as a terrorist group, but not its “political” wing — a distinction the group itself says is fictitious. “Thankfully, there is today a growing trend to shed any illusions and confront the stark reality that Hezbollah is one indivisible organization, and that organization is terrorist through and through,” said AJC CEO David Harris. Join AJC in urging the rest of the European Union to designate all of Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Read more

Czech Republic to Open Mission in Jerusalem
The Times of Israel / 2-minute read
The Czech Republic this week announced plans to establish a diplomatic office in Jerusalem, making it the second European Union member state to do so, after Hungary. Czech Ambassador to Israel Martin Stropnický said in a statement that the move fulfilled a promise made in 2018 by Czech President Milos Zeman to begin a three-tiered process of shifting the country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. AJC tweeted: “AJC welcomes the Czech Republic’s decision to open an office of @CzechEmbassyIL in Jerusalem! For over 30 years, the Czech Republic and Israel have shared a strong and vibrant relationship. Thank you for your continued support of the Jewish state and people!” Read more

What is on the Jewish agenda for Biden Administration?
The Jerusalem Post / 3-minute read
In this round up of legislative priorities for Jewish organizations, The Jerusalem Post interviews Jason Isaacson, AJC’s Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, about AJC’s plans as a new Congress and new administration prepare to take office. Those plans include pushing the Senate to pass the NO HATE (National Opposition to Hate, Assaults and Threats to Equality) Act and the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, which creates a fund that will be used to support Israeli and Palestinian cooperation. Both pieces of legislation have already been adopted by the House of Representatives. Isaacson also shared his thoughts on the incoming Biden administration's plans to rejoin the Iran deal. “It has to be an agreement in which the U.S. consults closely with our allies... starting with Israel, but also the Sunni Arab states," he said. Read more

Tidings

To the Moon and Back (The Forward)
Rapper Denies Scope of Holocaust (JTA)
Jewish Lessons About America (Moment Magazine)

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

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