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Must-reads
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Germany’s Parliament Votes to Ban Hezbollah
The Wall Street Journal / 2-minute read
An overwhelming majority of German lawmakers have called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to ban all Hezbollah activity on the ground in Germany, including fundraising. The motion adopted Thursday also calls on Berlin to push its European neighbors to stop making a false distinction between the Iran-backed global terror group’s political and military wings. Earlier this year, AJC and the Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) produced a fact-based analysis that demonstrated how full designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization could strengthen Lebanon, protect the West, and promote stability across the Middle East. AJC tweeted: “As an organization that has spent at least two decades urging Germany to ban Hezbollah activity anywhere on German soil, we could not be more pleased with the parliament’s decision today.” Read more |
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Jersey City School Official Calls Jews ‘Brutes’
JTA / 1-minute read
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop have called on a local school board member to resign over a Facebook post in which she called Jews who had moved to the city “brutes” and challenged people to heed the message of the two shooters who targeted a kosher supermarket last week, killing four. Joan Terrell-Paige, who is black, criticized the outpouring of support for Jersey City’s Jewish community, saying “brutes of the Jewish community … brazenly came on the property of Ward F black homeowners and waved bags of money.” She later insisted that she was speaking as a private citizen, not a public servant. Last month, AJC published the Translate Hate glossary, so private citizens and public servants don’t traffic in antisemitism like this. AJC tweeted: “Hate like this has no place in America, and certainly not in the leadership of our nation’s schools. She should step down immediately.” Read more |
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Suspect in Murder of French Jewish Woman Won’t Stand Trial
The Times of Israel / 2-minute read
A French court has ruled that the Muslim man accused of murdering his Jewish neighbor in Paris will not stand trial, saying he could not be held responsible because he was in a psychotic state from smoking marijuana. Kobili Traore is accused of beating 66-year-old Sarah Halimi for an hour in 2017 while calling her a demon and shouting about Allah, before hurling her body from a third-story window. The court ruled that although Traore “does appear to have voluntarily ended the life of Sarah Halimi” and the killing partly stemmed from antisemitism, he will no longer be incarcerated and can’t be convicted. AJC tweeted: “We are appalled and aghast. This shameful, outrageous, and despicable decision will forever be a stain on France’s judicial system and casts serious doubt on its willingness to condemn antisemitism and uphold the rights of French Jews.” Read more |
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Britain Considers Anti-BDS Legislation
The New York Times / 2-minute read
Fulfilling a campaign manifesto, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced during a ceremony with Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday that his Conservative Party would propose barring local governments from participating in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. The British government issued rules to prevent local governments from boycotting Israel three years ago, but a court ruled that the prohibition exceeded the government’s authority. AJC CEO David Harris tweeted: “Bravo, UK Prime Minister @BorisJohnson! … By showing such principle & backbone, you’ve set an inspiring example for others to follow. For more on why Jews should care about the Conservative Party’s election victory last week, read Why British Jews Feared a Labor Victory on AJC Global Voice. Read more |
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Congress Raises Money for Synagogue Security to All-Time High
Haaretz / 2-minute read
A measure to increase funding for security measures at religious institutions has received bipartisan support in Congress. The budget for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program went from $60 million to $90 million in 2020 – the most money ever allocated by Congress to support security at houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations such as religious day schools and community centers. The grants can be used for installing security cameras, gates, locks, bulletproof windows, and other safeguards. Read more |
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