Gaza spurs Latin American fears

Israel’s Gaza operation has led to a rise in antisemitism in Latin America and fresh fears for the safety of Venezuelan Jews, according to a prominent Latin American Jewish organisation.

In an open letter, the Confederación Latinoamericana Maccabi (CLAM) has expressed grave concerns over a new wave of antisemitism in Venezuela, prompted by events in Gaza.

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Meeting Miliband

Concern over rising antisemitism since the Gaza conflict was voiced by Manchester Jewish leaders in a meeting with David Miliband during the Foreign Secretary’s visit to the city last Thursday.

Regional student chaplain Rabbi Y Y Rubinstein told the minister that religious students were being advised not to wear kippot. “The very thin line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism is always crossed when things are going on in the Middle East. The minister listened to this and took written notes,” Rabbi Rubinstein said afterwards.

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MPs urge hate-attack clampdown

A parliamentary motion condemning attacks on the Jewish community as a result of the war in Gaza has been signed by more than 40 MPs - including critics of Israel. The MPs called on the government to stamp down on a wave of antisemitic incidents.

The motion, sponsored by Labour MP John Mann, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Antisemitism, also attacked the growing number of extremist websites, one of which calls for attacks against Jews around the world.

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Muslims condemn attacks on Jews

A group of Muslim activists has issued an open letter condemning antisemitic attacks in response to the Gaza crisis.

Addressed to “fellow Muslims”, the group of 18, including imams, businessmen and scholars, wrote that they were “deeply saddened” to hear of assaults on British Jews.

“We unreservedly condemn attacks on innocent British citizens and the desecration of all places of worship.”

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Students resolve to fight campus antisemitism

The National Executive of the National Union of Students has passed a complex resolution on the Gaza conflict which has been warmly welcomed by the leadership of the Union of Jewish Students.

As students all over Britain began the new winter term with the fighting in Gaza still heading the news, the NUS was well aware that its membership covers both sides of the divide.

The NUS President, Wes Streeting, made it clear that “we shouldn’t pretend that NUS can speak with one voice on the complexities of this conflict.”

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Arrest in JFS bus assault

A teenager has been arrested in connection with an antisemitic attack on Jewish pupils travelling on a popular London bus route, the 183.
The 16-year-old, unnamed for legal reasons, was detained by officers last week and appeared at Hendon Magistrates’ Court last Friday.

He denied charges of racially aggravated harassment and common assault, but admitted one charge of malicious communication with police officers. He was released on bail and will face trial on January 28.
The youth was arrested by officers from Barnet’s Safer Neighbourhoods and Safer Transport teams.

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Facebook removes slurs

Social networking site Facebook has removed antisemitic posts after complaints from Australian Jewish leaders. Sydney students had posted slurs and a link to a site called “F*** Israel and their Holocaust bull****.” Vic Alhadeff, of the New South Wales Board of Deputies, said that the comments were “offensive”.

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