American Jewish Committee

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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, as Israel marked its 73rd birthday, Iran blamed the Jewish state for a blackout at one of its nuclear facilities and retaliated by saying it ramped up its uranium enrichment. Meanwhile, the European Union finally imposed sanctions for Iran’s human rights abuses and a French Court confirmed what many already feared: France is an increasingly dangerous place to be Jewish. We want it to be safe everywhere.

COMBAT HATE CRIMES: Amid rising antisemitism and hate crimes in the U.S., join AJC in urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act.

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People of the Pod

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

What Everyone Should Know About the Third Era of Jewish History

Author and journalist Yossi Klein Halevi joins us to explain what the “Third Era of Jewish History” means and to discuss the wisdom of the Israeli calendar in how Israel remembers the fallen on Yom HaZikaron, then celebrates independence on Yom HaAtzma’ut the very next day. LISTEN NOW

Top Stories

Israel at 73

The Times of Israel | 5-minute read

In this love letter to Israel in honor of its 73rd birthday, AJC CEO David Harris writes that “the story of Israel is the wondrous realization of a 3,500-year link among a land, a faith, a language, a people, and a vision.” READ MORE

AJC celebrates: Upon receipt of AJC’s birthday card signed by thousands of friends and supporters of Israel from around the world, Israeli President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin thanked AJC for its love and support for the Jewish state throughout the years. “We must always remember that the Jewish people, no matter where we live, are all part of one strong and united family.” (Watch on AJC.org)

French Top Court Rules Against Trying Sarah Halimi’s Killer

The Times of Israel | 2-minute read

In a case that highlights France’s failure to address antisemitism, relatives of Sarah Halimi lost their final appeal to hold her killer accountable in court because he was high on marijuana when he beat her and threw her out a third-floor window while spewing antisemitic slurs. READ MORE

AJC responds: “Sarah Halimi was murdered because she was Jewish. France's highest court has ruled that her killer will not stand trial due to his “delirious state” from smoking marijuana. This is a terrible day for Sarah's family, French Jews, and all committed to fighting antisemitism.” (Share on Twitter)

European Union Sanctions Iranian Commanders For Human Rights Abuses

Reuters | 2-minute read

The European Union imposed sanctions on eight Iranian militia commanders and police chiefs, including the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards, over a deadly crackdown on citizens during 2019 political protests. READ MORE

AJC responds: “We welcome the EU's decision to impose sanctions on eight Iranian militia commanders and other senior figures over a deadly crackdown in November 2019. Iran must be held accountable for this and other gross human rights violations.” (Share on Twitter)

More News

Asians and Jews, Standing United

Daily News | 4-minute read

In this New York Daily News column, Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) and AJC CEO David Harris address the rise in racism and antisemitism against the Asian American and Jewish communities. “The Asian and Jewish communities have a long history in this country of standing up for one another and for the tenets of American pluralism,” they write. READ MORE

Politician’s Fundraising Sets Off Alarm Bells

The Washington Post | 5-minute read

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who has expressed support for the radical ideology of QAnon and accused Jewish philanthropist George Soros of collaborating with Nazis, has raised record dollars during her first three months in office, signaling support for her dangerous rhetoric. READ MORE

AJC responds: AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson told The Washington Post that we cannot remain silent when elected officials openly embrace antisemitic and white nationalist conspiracy theories. “It’s on us to expose the threat that they pose to American democracy, the rule of law, the social fabric, so it will resonate with people of conscience and diminish the threat.” (Share on Twitter)

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:

Four Generations Celebrate Israel’s Independence
In celebration of Israel’s 73rd birthday, four generations of Israelis and Americans – great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and children – shared their personal connections to Israel. Watch

AJC’s Shabbat Table

This week, in AJC’s Shabbat Table, we contemplate the parallels between leprosy in Biblical times and today’s epidemic of hate speech, which endangers all of society. We also remember the struggles of Jewish mathematician Emmy Noether and how discrimination denies us the contributions of those being excluded. READ MORE

Tidings

Mic Drop for Orthodox Jewish Women (Glamour)
Jewish Herbilore (The Forward)
Remembering Rosenwald Schools (JTA)

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

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