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The G8 and G20 summits
provide world leaders with an unprecedented opportunity to make the world a
safer, healthier and more compassionate place for all people around the world.
To achieve these goals, FSWC recommends our leaders consider the following:
ü
Comprehensive sanctions on Iran to end its nuclear aspirations and an indictment of its leadership on
charges for the incitement to commit genocide.
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A
campaign to end the scourge of terrorism and suicide bombing, which now also
impacts numerous nations around the world.
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An
educational outreach programme that stems the tide of hate, intolerance and
anti-Semitism around the world by focusing on building bridges of compassion and
understanding.
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Focus on sustainable energy to rid the planet of oil dependence, now fuelling
hate and intolerance and environmental disasters.
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Greater awareness for human rights violations, disease, hunger and emerging
genocides.
UPDATES
TO ONGOING ISSUES
PRIDE RELENTS TO ANTISEMITISM
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Leaders of the
organized Jewish community have banded together to condemn the sudden and
unexpected decision by Pride Toronto to prohibit the phrase ‘Israel
apartheid’ in the Gay Pride parade. Joining FSWC in denouncing Pride’s caving in
to the bullying tactics of Queers against Israeli apartheid (Quaia) and their
supporters are Canadian Jewish Congress, Canada-Israel Committee and the UJA.
“We are astonished that Pride Toronto has once again
abdicated
its
leadership role
and decided to allow parade
participants to
decide for themselves if their messages
comply with the
City of Toronto’s
Anti-discrimination policies.
Allowing
messages of hate and
creating an
atmosphere of
fear and
distrust is in no way in keeping with a joyous
celebration of
gay rights,” said Avi Benlolo,
President and
CEO of FSWC.
“The parade has been hijacked by
anti-Israel
agitators and is turning into a staging ground for antisemites
rather than gay
rights,” he added.
Kulanu Toronto, representing the city’s gay Jewish
community, insists it will not give in to
intimidation tactics and
asks the Jewish community to join them in marching
in the
parade on July 4, 2010.
CLICK HERE to read the story
in the Toronto Star
CLICK HERE
to visit the
Kulanu website and learn more about marching in the parade and showing your
Jewish Pride!
CLICK HERE to read FSWC’s latest press release regarding City Council’s
motion to withdraw funding from Pride
BIASED BOOK REMAINS IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES
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A controversial
and highly biased novel about the Mideast
conflict will be allowed to remain on the shelves of Toronto District School
Board schools. A review committee decided ‘The Shepherd’s Granddaughter’,
nominated for the
Red Maple award, said the book meets the criteria for the school board’s
approval. Although nominated, the novel for students in Gr. 6 – 8 did not win
the award.
FSWC plans to
develop a guide for school boards to teach critical thinking skills and
strategies for use when teaching contentious subjects.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE GLOBE AND MAIL
By Avi Benlolo, President and CEO, FSWC
Re: In Gaza,
Hamas is still the obstacle – June 20, 2010
Kudos to the Globe and Mail for your spot-on understanding of
the complex situation in the
Middle East. Unlike several other
Canadian media, the Globe seems to ‘get’ that peace cannot
be pursued or declared by one side only. Palestinian
businessman Yasser Qashlak was recently quoted on TV
in
Gaza saying, “Do not "believe in the illusion of peace created
by modern Arab leaders....Even if our leaders sign
peace
agreements, we will not respect them."
SIMON
WIESENTHAL CENTER
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Wiesenthal
Center Denounces Venezuelan Anti-Semitic Defamation of New Argentine Foreign
Minister
Buenos Aires, June 22, 2010 -
The Simon Wiesenthal Center has discovered and denounced antisemitic defamation
of newly appointed Argentine Foreign Minister, Héctor Timerman on a pro-Chávez
Venezuelan website.
The site “Aporrea” has posted an article entitled “A Zionist at the Argentine
Foreign Affairs Ministry”.
CLICK HERE to read the full press release
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SWC Protests to Norwegian PM over University of Oslo's Anticipated Vote to
Boycott all Israeli Institutions of Higher Education
Paris, 22 June
2010 - In a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, the Simon
Wiesenthal Centre’s Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels,
noted that “this weekend, 20 June, marked ‘International Refugee Day’ to
celebrate the contribution made by refugees and migrants to their host countries
and also the injustices they face.”
He quoted the United for Intercultural Action Special Report for the occasion,
entitled “‘13,824 Deaths: Blood on European Hands’ – a litany including 286
drownings and harrowing stories at detention facilities across the continent.”
CLICK HERE to read the full press release
TORONTO
ISLAMIC CONFERENCE RAISES EYEBROWS
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The July 2 -4 “Journey of Faith 3rd Annual Islamic Conference” at
Toronto’s Metro Convention Center is meant, according to its website, to
“endorse the proper understanding of religious sources in avoiding human whims
and desires often leading to extremism, intolerance and religious violence”.
FSWC recommends viewing this event with a great deal of caution.
The conference is in partnership with Indian-based “Peace TV” run by Dr. Zakir
Naik. Naik has on previous occasions been banned from the
UK, and will not be admitted into Canada because of his suggestive views that “every Muslim should be a
terrorist” and that “If Osama Bin Laden is fighting for enemies of Islam, I am
for him”.
More than 10,000 Muslims are expected to attend this conference. They have
an opportunity. It is up to their community to decide if the agenda stays
true to its stated aim as a forum for peace and acts as a bridge of
understanding between the Muslim community and their fellow Canadians.
________________________________________________
Media Contact
Stacey Starkman,
Communications Coordinator
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies
416-864-9735 x
32
sstarkman@fswc.ca
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