AJC Dispatch

Spotlight

On this week's episode of People of the Pod, Cnaan Liphshiz, European news reporter for JTA, introduces us to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's first Jewish President, and explains what his controversial call with U.S. President Donald Trump means. Then NYU History Professor and author Edward Berenson joins us to discuss how an incident of a missing child in the 1920s led to the only known blood libel accusation against an American Jewish community. Finally, ahead of Yom Kippur, The Times of Israel's Jewish World Editor Amanda Borschel-Dan takes listeners on a journey to Israel's National Library, where the director of its music department, Dr. Gila Flam, helps us delve into the emotional pull and significance of Kol Nidre, an ancient Ashkenazi musical setting of a prosaic Aramaic vow of renunciation. Listen now

Must-reads

AJC Takes On Hezbollah
AJC Global Voice / 1-minute read
AJC is urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah a global terror organization in its entirety. During the United Nations General Assembly last week, AJC leaders met face-to-face with heads of state and senior government officials to make the case that Europe no longer can pretend Hezbollah is something other than what it actually is. A full-page ad ran in The New York Times; videos and materials were circulated on social media; and TV spots ran on New York cable news during the UN General Assembly. In addition, AJC and the Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) have produced a fact-based report titled Setting the Record Straight on Hezbollah that one by one refutes claims made by governments against designating Hezbollah in its entirety. The report demonstrates how full designation strengthens Lebanon, protects the West, and promotes stability across the Middle East. Read more

Attacks, Intimidation, Vandalism Start Jewish New Year
Jewish Telegraphic Agency / 2-minute read
In Whitefish, Montana, fliers with the code words for “Heil Hitler” and other white nationalist language were circulated to businesses on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. In Brooklyn, two women were caught on video smashing the windows of a synagogue during Rosh Hashanah services. And in Krakow, a swastika and other antisemitic graffiti were painted on the wall of the former ghetto on the second day of the Jewish New Year. Regarding the Brooklyn incident, AJC tweeted: “That this vile act occurred on Rosh Hashanah makes it all the more sickening. We call on NY officials to bring to justice those responsible and redouble efforts to combat antisemitism, which has increased over 100% this year.” Read more

Israel Quietly Welcomes Palestinian Workers From Gaza
Associated Press / 2-minute read
In an effort to avoid a fourth conflict with Hamas, Israel has expanded a program in which it had long provided hundreds of permits to business owners to travel to Israel and the West Bank for commerce. Palestinian officials say the program is now providing some 5,000 so-called merchant permits and awarding them to Palestinians working as laborers in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Israel also has extended the permits from three to six months and lowered the minimum age of eligibility to 25 from 30. Read more

Good to Know

Déjà Vu: New Knesset Sworn In Amid Prospect of Third Election
Haaretz / 2-minute read
As the 22nd Knesset convened, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin reiterated his desire to see a unity government lead the country. Benny Gantz echoed the desire for unity, calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation. Netanyahu also echoed the call for unity, but in the form of a government led by both candidates. Negotiators from both parties met on Sunday but remained in disagreement. Rivlin warned that a third election would be a costly alternative. “There are singular moments in the life of a people,” he said, “when a president is required… to intervene and act to recalibrate the system which is struggling to get back on track.” Read more

Swedish Centre Party Calls For Ban On Ritual Circumcision
The Local / 2-minute read
At an annual meeting to vote on official party positions last weekend, Sweden’s Centre Party voted in favor of banning non-medical circumcision of boys. It’s not clear if the party, which is not currently in government, will put forth a motion to outlaw the practice. Still, Jews and Muslims decried the decision. Since 2001, Swedish law has stated that boys may only be circumcised by a qualified medical practitioner or a person who has been licensed by the National Swedish Board of Health and Welfare. AJC tweeted: “Jews in Europe aren't just being physically attacked. Jewish practices and religious freedom are under attack too. Sweden's Centre Party should disavow this awful vote, which stigmatizes Jews and is likely to incite antisemitic and anti-Muslim hatred.” Read more

German City, Museum Collide Over Prize For BDS Supporter
ARTnews / 1-minute read
The German city of Aachen announced on Monday that it would rescind an award to Lebanon-born artist Walid Raad, after he refused to clarify if he supported the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. But on Tuesday, the Ludwig Forum for International Art announced it would give the prize anyway. In May, German lawmakers passed a resolution calling the BDS movement antisemitic. In line with that, the German city of Dortmund last month rescinded a literary award to British author Kamila Shamsie for her support of the BDS movement. Read more

Tidings

Los Angeles Rabbis Wrestle With Politics of Faith (Los Angeles Times)
Bombed Out Beirut Synagogue Comes Alive in Tel Aviv Exhibit (Haaretz)
Special Delivery: Rosh Hashanah Greetings from Riyadh (Times of Israel)

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

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