American Jewish Committee

Check out this week's episode of People of the Pod!	Click to View in Browser

Dear AJC Friend, Shabbat Shalom. Welcome to the latest edition of AJC Dispatch, bringing you everything you need to know about Israel and the Jewish world from the past week.

If you like what you see, forward it to your friends! They can sign up at AJC.org/Dispatch.

This week, the United Nations Human Rights Council once again targeted Israel for alleged human rights violations, singling out the Jewish state while treating some of the world’s worst regimes with kid gloves. Israelis headed to the polls for the fourth inconclusive election in two years and Greece, a close Israeli ally, toasted 200 years of independence.

People of the Pod

AJC’s weekly podcast analyzing global affairs through a Jewish lens

And the Winner Is ... ?

How is this election different from all other Israeli elections in the past two years? Journalist Allison Kaplan Sommer of Ha’aretz explains why no clear victory emerged from this week’s ballots and a fifth election could be in the cards. LISTEN NOW

The Times of Israel | 3-minute read

This week, the United Nations Human Rights Council condemned human rights violations in Iran, Myanmar, Syria, North Korea, Belarus, Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, and the part of Georgia occupied by Russia with one resolution for each country. South Sudan earned two. But the council adopted four resolutions damning Israel, including calling for an arms embargo. READ MORE

AJC responds: “[The UN Human Rights Council] has just adopted yet another biased resolution targeting Israel. We thank Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cameroon, and Malawi for standing with Israel against this outrageous measure.” (Share on Twitter)

Israelis Wearily Wonder When Elections Will End

The New York Times | 5-minute read

The results of Israel’s fourth election in two years point to more political deadlock, possibly for months to come. That has some Israelis questioning whether reforms to the electoral system are necessary for the country to move forward. READ MORE

AJC responds: In a statement commending Israel’s commitment to democracy, AJC also expressed concerns about the entry of extremist voices and parties in the Knesset. “As we await the final tally from Israel’s national election, we celebrate the vibrancy of Israeli democracy and are heartened by the images of Israelis of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and faiths flocking to the polls across the country.” (Share on Twitter)

AJC hosts: Join prominent Israeli experts on Thursday as they dive into what’s next for the Jewish State. (Register at Advocacy Anywhere)

More News

Energy Diplomacy Opens New Chapter of Independence for Greece

JNS | 4-minute read

As modern Greece marks 200 years of freedom from Ottoman rule, AJC Senior Director of Policy and Political Affairs Julie Fishman Rayman highlights how energy diplomacy with Israel and Cyprus offers even more independence for Greece and its allies. READ MORE

AJC CEO David Harris congratulates: “Greece marks 200th anniv. of its struggle for freedom from occupying Ottoman Turks: I stand with Greece, as I have for decades. I cherish its priceless gifts to our world. I recall its heroism in WW2. I value its US, NATO, EU & Israel ties. I love its beauty, warmth & spirit.” (Share on Twitter)

Google Fails to Remove Antisemitic Reviews of Auschwitz

The Guardian | 4-minute read

An investigation by The Guardian revealed more than 150 antisemitic reviews were allowed to appear on the Google Maps site for the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Meanwhile, in Brazil, the head of the country’s Labor Party posted on social media an antisemitic blood libel that historically has led to the murder of thousands of Jews. READ MORE

AJC responds: “We are disgusted by the hateful comments of Brazilian Labor Party head Roberto Jefferson accusing Jews of sacrificing children. The blood libel is a centuries-old antisemitic hoax and is still used to persecute Jews. It has no place anywhere in society.” (Share on Twitter)

AJC responds: “While we welcome Google's promise to 'do better,' tech companies must take proactive steps in the fight against online hate.” (Share on Twitter)

What’s happening next week? (And what you may have missed this week!)

Advocacy Anywhere is AJC’s online platform bringing you top-quality content during the pandemic. View the Advocacy Anywhere page for information on past and future programs:

Thursday at 11 a.m. ET: Israel’s Return to the Polls
Will Israelis go back to the polls for a fifth time? Join prominent Israeli experts as they dive into what’s next for the Jewish State. Register

Did you miss...

Around the World with AJC CEO David Harris
One of the Jewish world’s foremost experts on global trends shared recent developments on the world stage and what lies ahead for Jewish advocacy. Watch

AJC’s Shabbat Table

This week, in AJC’s Shabbat Table, we discuss how matza—eaten on Passover, which starts this weekend—is more than a bread of affliction, but also a bread of transition from slavery to freedom, symbolic of where we are now in our journey from lockdown to normalcy. We also recall the conviction and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg on charges of espionage and the impact that had on American Jewry. READ MORE

Tidings

A White House Seder Different From All Others (The Forward)
Walking on Sunshine (Tablet Magazine)
Ixnay on Religious Holidays (The Washington Post)

Enjoy receiving the AJC Dispatch each week? Forward it to your friends!
They can sign up for their own Dispatch here.

*The articles highlighted above do not necessarily reflect AJC’s positions.

SUPPORT OUR WORK

AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.

To unsubscribe or to manage your email preferences, please click here.