Brighton

Stanmore couple charged with £26,000 fraud of 100-year-old uncle

Anna Sheinman — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:41:11 +0100

A couple from Stanmore have been charged with defrauding their 100-year-old uncle, who lived in Brighton, of £26,000.

A statement from Sussex police said: “Janice Olaff, the victim's niece and who had power of attorney, along with her husband, Leslie Olaff, had written cheques and used debit cards over a six year period.”

Janice Olaff has been charged with nine offences of abuse of trust and Leslie Olaff has been charged with four offences of fraud. The couple, from Fallowfield, Stanmore, pleaded not guilty at Brighton Crown Court on Thursday

Brighton minister is warmly received

Yael Breuer — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:28:53 +0100

The induction service for Rabbi Andrea Zanardo drew a crowd of 250 to Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue. The induction was conducted by Reform movement rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner and the congregation included civic dignitaries and representatives of other local synagogues.

“It was a fabulous day,” Rabbi Zanardo said afterwards. “I felt honoured by the presence of so many friends and colleagues.

“I look forward to serving this community, whose warmth I have been blessed to experience already.”
Brighton and Hove Reform chairman Michael Harris was “so proud to see our synagogue organise such an excellent occasion. Rabbi Zanardo and his wife Sara have already earned much respect within our community and we look forward to a strong, enduring relationship.”

Protests turn nasty outside Israeli EcoStream

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:30:00 +0000

A woman was arrested last Saturday amid escalating protests outside an Israeli store in Brighton.

Julie Warman, 44, was charged with racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress following an incident during a protest outside EcoStream, a Sussex police spokesperson confirmed.

Ms Warman pleaded not guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court on Monday and has been remanded on bail. The case will go to trial on July 18.

Protests outside the Israeli company have been an ongoing issue since the shop opened last August. Pro-Israel campaigners, often members of Sussex Friends of Israel (SFI), regularly confront Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Boycott Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) activists near the shop on Saturday lunch-times.

Last month, after complaints from members of the PSC and BDS movement against SFI members Marlene Williams and Simon Cobbs, investigations were dropped.

An allegation of common assault was made against Mr Cobbs during a protest outside EcoStream last year.

“I told the guy who chained himself outside the shop that if he wanted to bully someone, he could bully me,” Mr Cobbs explained. “I didn’t touch him.”

Ms Williams, who is Christian, was counter-protesting against boycotters of the Israeli dance group Batsheva last November at the Brighton Dome. She said: “One woman screamed ‘Free Palestine’ in my ear. She then knocked my phone out of my hand. She smirked before she did it again.”

The BDS activist “went to the police and told them that I had caused red marks on her face — but I didn’t touch her face.”

Both investigations into the allegations against the pair, who were represented by Julian Hunt from UK Lawyers for Israel were dropped. Mr Hunt said: “These are two wholly innocent individuals who have been dragged through a police investigation in respect of allegations of no substance by people in boycott movements.”

Reports of violence, alleged antisemitism and spitting from members of the BDS and PSC outside EcoStream were reported to Brighton MP Caroline Lucas during a Zionist Federation lobby of Parliament last month.

Dr Lucas, a member of the British-Palestine Parliamentary Group and a supporter of the PSC, said: “In light of the events that have been brought to my attention, I call on all those protesting at or near the store to reassert their commitment to doing so peacefully.”

Last year, a man was fined for making a Nazi salute outside EcoStream.

Brighton MP Lucas challenges IDF at pro-Israel lobby

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:43:55 +0000

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas told constituents that Israeli authorities were responsible for “blocking humanitarian aid” and “humiliating” the people of Gaza during a pro-Israel lobby day in Parliament.

Dr Lucas, who is a member of the British-Palestine Parliamentary Group and is a vocal supporter of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC), agreed to attend a meeting organised by Sussex Friends of Israel (SFI) on Wednesday.

She agreed to meet the 19 constituents, non-constituents and interested parties to discuss the boycott of the Israeli EcoStream store, Batsheva dance performance, her strong friendship with Baroness Tonge and her outspoken stance against the Israeli government.

Simon Cobbs, a founding member of SFI, explained: “We asked everyone to send her emails and encourage her to attend the meeting. I was sure she would cancel and she nearly did by saying the room was too small a day before.

“It took us six months to organise this meeting. Her constituents, the people who get spat at and abused from members of the PSC for supporting EcoStream, should be her priority.”

Last year two men were arrested and one anti-Israel activist was fined for making a Nazi salute outside the EcoStream shop.

After people told the Green Party MP of the antisemitic abuse they suffered from PSC protestors outside the environmentally-friendly shop, Dr Lucas said she would need “real hard evidence” of the abuse.

“If I get evidence of it, then I am more than delighted to completely oppose it,” she said.

Dr Lucas rejected claims that if the protests did not move from directly outside EcoStream, the store would close.

But she was more responsive when Roman Fox, a gay Jewish member of SFI, told her he suffered antisemitic and homophobic abuse.

“I would be happy to come and stand with you and see what abuse you face,” Dr Lucas promised.

However, one frustrated Jewish man left the meeting when Dr Lucas asked people what they thought “of the increasing number of Israeli settlements in the area?

“I’ve been to Gaza, I see what Israeli authorities do and what is going on there. There are humiliating military checkpoints. The people of Gaza are not able to get access to their books or repair their homes.”

Speaking about the Palestinian Authority, Dr Lucas said: “Fatah is a lot less oppressive than Hamas. Some politicians I’ve met from Fatah are absolutely enlightened. I am not defending Hamas, I’m defending the people of Gaza. The Gaza people are suffering.”

The MP said she recognised that “there is a huge threat to the people in Israel” from other countries, but said she would support “actions to neutralise Iran – but not a military intervention.

“Not everything Palestine does is right and Israel does is wrong.

“My whole political career is about upholding human rights."

Speaking after the half-hour meeting, Mr Fox said: "She seemed really concerned about homophobic abuse and took on board that gay people in Palestine are shot and escape to Tel Aviv.”

Mr Cobbs added: “I think she was shocked by the depth of feeling and the amount of abuse people suffered.

“But by still being inactive on the protests outside Ecostream, she’s effectively supporting the shop closing.”

New friends in Sussex

Cecily Woolf — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:29:03 +0000

The formation of a Sussex Friends of Israel group was announced at a Zionist Federation-organised meeting on the Middle East situation held at Brighton’s Ralli Hall, which was attended by 150 people.

Ronnie Bloom, who will chair the group, said afterwards: “With the unparalleled level of antisemitism in the town, we feel our organisation will be able to make people understand the truth about Israel.”

The meeting was chaired by the ZF’s Alan Aziz and speakers included Christian Friends of Israel chief executive Jacob Vince. ZF president Eric Moonman was due to have addressed the event but turned back en route after feeling unwell.

Norwood cleans up in Sussex

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:42:17 +0000

Norwood is responsible for the first Sussex commercial car wash to be staffed entirely by those with learning disabilities.

The Future Clean venture in Lewes, funded by East Sussex County Council, follows the success of the north London area outlet in Hatch End.

An eco-friendly hand valet and car wash, it is based on social enterprise principles with trainees being taught work skills which will help them in the job market.

Norwood business manager Nigel Bolton said the charity wanted “to give the people we support meaningful opportunities in every aspect of their life.

“I’d like to thank the trainees for showing commitment to learn new skills and demonstrating the high standards that they can achieve.”

Israeli shop ‘set to sue’ protesters in Brighton

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:00:00 +0000

An Israeli shop in Brighton is set to issue legal proceedings against pro-Palestine activists who have picketed at the eco-friendly store for the past three months.

EcoStream, which sells SodaStream products made in the Mishor Adumim settlement, has been repeatedly targeted by anti-Israel activists. On Monday, they led a day of action against Soda Stream, although the attempted Twitter and phone bombardment on the shop was less than effective when staff disconnected the shop phone.

SodaStream is set to file “urgent” legal proceedings to counteract the boycott’s negative effect on business.

“The shop makes no money — it’s empty,” said local resident Simon Cobbs. “The only people are Brighton Jews, going in to support the shop and keep it going.”

Community members have now established a Sussex Friends of Israel group, to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel feeling in Brighton.

Last Thursday, an anti-Israel activist who made a Nazi salute outside EcoStream during a BDS protest, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment at Brighton Magistrates Court. The 23-year old was fined £75 for the November 17 incident.

On the same day, Andrzaj De Virion, who chained himself to the store’s doors in the same protest, pleaded not guilty to aggravated trespass, and has been bailed to return for trial on June 25 .

Brighton counters anti-Zionists

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:31:53 +0000

Zionist Federation director Alan Aziz has said that the best response to rising anti-Zionist sentiment in Brighton is “to bring more Israeli activity, culture, education and training”.

Mr Aziz was speaking after a meeting hosted by the Sussex Jewish Representative Council at West Hove Synagogue to discuss local protests against Israeli performers and commercial interests. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has backed the demonstrations outside the Israeli-owned EcoStream store in her Brighton Pavilion constituency, although she has said she does not believe the shop should close.

Joining Mr Aziz on the panel were Simon Cobbs, who has led counter-demonstrations, Board of Deputies vice-president Alex Brummer and the Belfast community’s Stephen Jaffe, who helps regional groups with Israel advocacy.

The rep council’s Debra Goodman pointed out that “part of the remit of the SJRC is to ‘protect the interests of the Sussex Jewish community’, a role we take very seriously. The number of people who attended the meeting shows that the community is also taking the current situation seriously.”

Business Club launches in Brighton

Yael Breuer — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:16:00 +0000

The Brighton Jewish Business Club has been launched by local Reform synagogue member Nick Beck, who is planning monthly breakfast get-togethers at the shul’s Ajex Hall.

Mr Beck said the club, open to all sections of the community, would provide networking opportunities “in a Jewish context, emphasising Jewish ethics. The rabbis of our community are most welcome to come as well.”

Participants in the inaugural breakfast came from professions including law, finance, retail, security, fitness and marketing. “I used to be in marketing and, through networking, succeeded in improving the business a great deal,” Mr Beck recalled.

“I am now involved in launching a music festival. I hope to attract more people of all ages and business backgrounds to our breakfast club.”

Batsheva show goes on in Birmingham despite protests

Jennifer Lipman — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:08:13 +0000

Five anti-Israel activists were removed from the audience of the Birmingham Hippodrome after mounting vocal protests against Israel's Batsheva Ensemble during their performance.

Activists have arranged demonstrations outside the venues at all of the stops of the Dance Consortium arranged tour, including in Edinburgh, Brighton and Bradford. At each performance, they have also purchased tickets in order to shout out anti-Israel slogans during the show, in an attempt to disturb the dancers. However the Batsheva performers have consistently maintained their composure and their performances have mostly not stopped. Last night's performance was briefly halted while protesters were ejected shouting slogans such as "free free Palestine", "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free" and "Don't cross the picket, burn your ticket".

"The dancers just paused on stage and carried on amazingly – the audience was totally behind them," said one person who saw the show.

On Tuesday night, in the first of two performances in Birmingham, the disruptions were co-ordinated by the British Committee for the Universities of Palestine (Bricup), and by Sue Blackwell, the veteran anti-Israel academic and former lecturer in English at the University of Birmingham.

Before the show a group of supporters of the Batsheva performers also held a counter-demonstration.

In Brighton over the weekend it was a similar scene. "The pro-Palestine supporters were very aggressive and were shouting at people entering the show- remarks about Palestinian blood on their tickets," said a woman who attended a rally in solidarity with the dancers. There were also three disturbances during the show.

"The venue security staff moved very quickly and had the instigators removed instantly. Following the example set in Edinburgh and Manchester, this was to the applause and cheering of the audience supporting the performers and the removal of the trouble makers."

Although the second of the two originally scheduled Batsheva performances at the Brighton Dome was cancelled out of awareness for security requirements, the venue recorded the show and aired i t on the website, attracting nearly 1,000 views in one day, as well as holding a private screening.

The chief executive of the Brighton Dome, Andrew Comben, said freedom of expression was vital to the arts and vowed to continue to welcome artists from all over the world.

"We have a duty to ensure that our audiences have a safe and enjoyable experience," he said. "We are disappointed that their enjoyment of this company's work was disturbed on Friday evening."