Syrian doctor blames "corrupt Jews" for immigration conviction

Police feared a Facebook campaign blaming "corrupt Jewish Zionists" for the conviction of a Syrian doctor for immigration offences, would lead to protests outside a court.

Extra police surrounded Kingston Magistrates Court on Friday while Shawkat Spahi-Shoaib attended a sentencing hearing after being found guilty of using deception to remain in the UK.

He had applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK in May 2005, despite awaiting trial in Manchester for two sexual offences, of which he was later found guilty.

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Toby Coppel on the yahoo!-microsoft partnership

Is the deal good news for Yahoo!?
“Very good news. It provides strategic clarity and focus for the business going forward and significant additional financial resources compared with the status quo. I was a strong proponent of this when I was at Yahoo!.

Can Microsoft and Yahoo! now take on Google in search?

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Tweet smell of success

As part of its outreach efforts, Reform Judaism now has a presence on both Facebook and Twitter.

The movement’s Martin Dix says the idea is to “engage with Jews across the country who may otherwise have no contact with the Jewish community, live at a distance from Jewish centres, or who do not want to join a synagogue but are looking for new ways to connect with Jewish life.”

Traditional forms of communication were no longer sufficient. “Twitter and Facebook are hubs of social networking, bringing together millions of people.

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Facebook bans some Holocaust-denial groups, but not all

Facebook, the social networking website, has removed two online groups promoting Holocaust denial.

The development on Monday came despite spokesman Barry Schnitt suggesting last week that the website would only ban users viewing such groups in countries where Holocaust denial is a criminal offence, such as Israel and Germany.

Members of the two banned groups — titled “The Holocaust is a Holohoax” and “Based on Facts… There Was No Holocaust” — were using Facebook as “a forum to promote hate”, Schnitt said.

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The war being waged online

The crisis in Gaza has fuelled a fierce war on the internet by activists on both sides.

With Israel not allowing journalists into Gaza, the internet has become another front in the conflict.

The IDF has used YouTube to update people on Operation Cast Lead, with a dedicated page showing videos of Israeli troops in action.

Social networking site Facebook is being used to set up groups to drum up support for the various protests taking part across the country. Users can also sign up to a facility that automatically updates the number of Kassam rockets hitting Israel.

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Police probe Facebook complaint

Comments posted on the social networking website Facebook are to be investigated by police after a Jewish user claimed they were antisemitic and could incite racial hatred.

One group, titled “We hate Tottenham”, contains references to “dirty yiddo scum” as part of its introductory description.

The group has more than 1,240 members. One person wrote: “Yid scum….hate em more ‘n more every week.”

Another states: “Let’s smash them yid mugs tonight!”

A London-based 34-year-old man, who does not want to be named reported a number of comments to police last week.

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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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