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Levy welcomed how the German government is fighting antisemitism.
Whilst poignant ceremonies took place Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan called on governments for free unrestricted research of Holocaust archives and to confront antisemitism forcibly.
“Opening the archives is so important,” he said. “We are in the last years where we have witnesses with us, numbers are dwindling. But we sometimes forget that six million Jews were not able to give testimony so the documents are their testimony in letters, documents, cards and other things.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure historians can research the Holocaust without impositions.”
Dayan added that he is determined to build in the coming years a strategy of engagement.
“Yad Vashem has incredible treasures, we have the largest library but my intention is to put the Holocaust at the forefront of public, diplomatic and political opinion because there is a lot to learn from the Holocaust,” he noted.
Dayan tells dignitaries who visit Yad Vashem that the Holocaust shows the vital importance of an independent Jewish state. He also addressed antisemitism and the Holocaust.
“We know from history what monstrous dimensions from antisemitism can grow,” he explained. “When you see antisemitism, confront it immediately, aggressively, decisively and with determination otherwise it may grow to the dimensions it grew before. If it happened once it can happen twice.
“Antisemitism should be confronted forcibly and immediately, that is a responsibility for all governments.”
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that decades after Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated the world had an obligation to remember and deal with the Holocaust.
“This was a tragedy that is unparalleled in the annals of human history, the main obligation is cast on us, the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” he noted. “It is good that the world remembers. We as the government share the obligation to make certain that Yad Vashem continues to preserve the memory of the Holocaust in the country and the world.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg yesterday.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office together with the Embassy of Israel held a remembrance ceremony.
Guests included Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Lord Pickles, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Auschwitz survivor Lily Ebert.
“We are at a critical moment of history and we must ensure the lessons of the past are told frequently so that the next generation understand where antisemitism leads,” said Ambassador Hotovely. “Jewish people are able to feel safer and more secure since the founding of the State of Israel; a homeland and a place of refuge. We are thankful to the British Government for their friendship and their solidarity in the fight against antisemitism.”
UK’s Foreign Secretary commented, “Remembering is not a passive act. It is an expression of fidelity to those who perished, and an act of duty to future generations.”
Truss noted that a new national Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London will open in 2025 and stand as a constant reminder of the relentless fight against hate and antisemitism.
She added that the British Government was committed to combatting antisemitism in all its forms.
Lord Pickles said that ‘never again’ must not become an “empty echo” of past good intentions.
“As a community, we will stand against ignorance and antisemitism, we will keep the remembrance flame shining bright against Holocaust distortion and denial,” he added.
The European Jewish Congress held its annual commemoration yesterday.
President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and newly elected European Parliament President Roberta Metsola attended.
The ceremony focussed on the Holocaust in France. A panel discussion with former Prime Minister of France Manuel Valls, philosopher Raphael Enthoven and writer Abnousse Shalmani was moderated by journalist Jean-Charles Banoun. Topics included the rise of antisemitism, Holocaust trivialisation, youth radicalisation and the spread of conspiracy theories, hatred and disinformation on social media.
World Jewish Congress’ seventh annual #WeRemember campaign ends today at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Photographs of participants in the campaign will be showcased on a screen next to the infamous Auschwitz gate as a testament to the Jewish people’s survival.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said that through the campaign, WJC “combats antisemitism, as well as other pernicious forms of hatred and xenophobia”.
Global leaders, sports organisations, cultural figures, corporations and social media companies joined the initiative that incorporates landmarks worldwide including the Old City in Jerusalem, Reichstag in Berlin and European parliaments.
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
On behalf of The Jewish Weekly, I urge our readers to support Jnetics this week in their first ever matched 36-hour funding campaign to reach £500,000.
Like so many charities up and down the country Jnetics headed up superbly by Nicole Gordon, has been through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which thank G-d appears to be easing. Her small team of hard working staff and many volunteers are dedicated to preventing Jewish genetic disorders. Funds raised will be spent on screening young adults at schools, universities and the Jnetics Clinic which targets young couples. As Nicole says, there is no reason why a young couple should endure the heartache of having a child with a genetic disorder that can be screened for.
A simple saliva test can provide the knowledge to ensure children are born free from devastating genetic disorders. The joy of bringing a child into the world is arguably the greatest miracle of all. Let’s back Jnetics and help them achieve their goal in the coming days. To donate, visit www.charityextra.com/jnetics See article on page 7
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Herzog receives INSS survey
BY SIMCHA ABIR
President Isaac Herzog has received the Strategic Survey for Israel 2022.
The Institute for National Security Studies report’s main findings were presented to the President by INSS director Manuel Trajtenberg and INSS senior fellows.
Also present was INSS Board of Directors chairman Sir Frank Lowy.
INSS scholars presented Herzog with the major security and diplomatic issues facing Israel in 2022, arising from the institute’s analysis. Among issues in the report was climate.
Following the presentation, Herzog said: “Your annual report identifies dangers and threats, but also points to opportunities and openings for hope.”
He added: “There is an emerging regional understanding that the future of the Middle East is a future of cooperation. In the face of the Iranian threat and its dangerous proxies in the region, we must cooperate with our friends. Not just for the sake of Israel’s citizens, but for all the inhabitants of the Middle East. This is a regional interest of the highest order.
“Israel’s security is tightly bound up with its national resilience, in our ability to deal with the most profound disagreements, without giving up on our faith in ourselves. We have the power to live together and act as one people. Bridging divides, including political ones, is perhaps the most important step for maintaining Israel’s security, stability, and prosperity.”
Herzog thanked INSS researchers for their efforts.
“The world is undergoing very dramatic changes,” he noted. “You are getting the nation’s leaders, public opinion and public opinion shapers to focus on core issues on which we must focus. And the past year proved just how much attention they require.”
The INSS report claimed that Iran is weeks away from achieving nuclear capability and developing military options to threaten Israel.
Proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas would launch simultaneous attacks against Israel from different borders. Researchers identified major threats which include the Iranian nuclear program, Israel-Palestinian relations and internal divisions in Israeli society.
Operation Dugo
BY ADAM MOSES
The Embassy of Israel is celebrating the life of Holocaust survivor David ‘Dugo’ Leitner by donating falafel meals to individuals experiencing homelessness in central London.
Operation Dugo is an annual initiative to honour Leitner’s story so others do not go hungry.
The Embassy have partnered with Sant’Egidio in the distribution of meals from Mayfair to Piccadilly.
The project is part of global events to mark International Holocaust Memorial Day today.
Director of Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Embassy, Efrat Perry, welcomed the link with Sant’Edigio in in a longstanding commitment to Holocaust education.
“Dugo’s tradition symbolises that he will never go hungry again,” explained Perry. “There is no better way to share this uplifting message than to give warm meals to those who are in need of hope and sustenance.”
Leitner was 14 years old when he walked for three days alongside 60,000 Jews on a ‘death march’ from Auschwitz-Birkenau on 18th January 1945. What kept him alive, he has said, was the promise of his mother that, one day, he would make it to Israel.
Dugo settled in Israel and every year on January 18th he enjoys falafel in celebration of his life and freedom.
Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely noted, “Operation Dugo is such a meaningful initiative, one in which we can celebrate his defiant story as well as help to cultivate the memory of the Holocaust. Through this partnership we have carried Dugo’s story across central London in a tangible way offering hope to those who need it most.”
Representatives from the Israeli Embassy and Sant’Egidio helped distribute meals.
Sant’Egidio’s UK Coordinator, Emanuela Russo said, “Preserving the memory of
Holocaust survivor David ‘Dugo’ Leitner PHOTO: DAAD
the tragic events of the Holocaust is an important commitment for the Community of Sant’Egidio. We have been very happy to receive the generous falafel donation from the Embassy of Israel.”
Chloe Dunbobbin, Inter-Communal Officer at the Israeli Embassy, noted, “It was incredible to be a part of this initiative, which turned Dugo’s inspiring story of hope and resilience into impact on the ground. We heard stories of so many people we reached, across faiths and communities.”
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Bennett launches Western Wall plan
Israel’s cabinet has backed a five-year plan to encourage visits to the Western Wall.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presented the New NIS 110m initiative.
The Western Wall is visited by millions of visitors and tourists from around the world. As a holy site for the Jewish people it is amongst the most historical and archaeological sites. Between 2015-2020, the number of visitors to the Western Wall grew from 10 million to 12 million.
The Prime Minister’s Office will implement the plan.
“The Western Wall is one of the Jewish people’s holiest and most important sites,” said Bennett. “Millions of visitors from around the world visit it on an ongoing basis. The plan that the government has just approved will continue upgrading urgent infrastructures at the site and assist in encouraging masses of additional visitors. Quietly and effectively, day after day, our government is working for the citizens of Israel.”
Objectives are to continue the momentum of development at the site, meet the needs of visits by school pupils, new immigrants and soldiers, develop educational plans, transportation and services in addition to finding new ways to make the Western Wall accessible via technological platforms.
27 JANUARY 2022
TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488
BY SIMCHA ABIR
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ‘European Forum’ has analysed Israeli perceptions of European antisemitism for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
A survey of 1,000 Israeli Jews and Arabs considered whether antisemitism was behind EU policies and criticism of Israel.
Just over half, 53%, of Jewish respondents felt the situation for Jews in Europe had worsened, 25% noted it was the same. More religious respondents had a pessimistic viewpoint.
Some 52% of Arab respondents viewed matters the same. Just 20% noted an improvement.
France (39%) and Poland (33%) were the most antisemitic followed by Germany (15%) in the poll.
Germany topped religious Jews, France led the way with religious and traditional Jews, and Poland for the most secular Jews. Among Arab respondents, Poland and Germany topped the poll.
Just under a third of Jews (27%) held a direct link between criticism of Israel and antisemitism, most Jewish respondents accepted a link.
A similar number of Jewish respondents rejected the idea that EU policies were antisemitic or antisemitically-motivated while 40% said some are and aren’t.
Professor Gisela Dachs, principal author of the survey, said, “While the majority of Israelis see a link between criticism of Israeli and European policies and antisemitism, the respondents were much more nuanced than Israel’s politicians. Israelis who are familiar with Europe also know how to distinguish among the various countries and that is reflected here in the survey.”
Dachs added, “The perception of France as topping the list of antisemitic European nations did not surprise me. For a long time, it’s been an open secret that France is rife with antisemitism, and not just among the far-right politicians and populations. Since Israel’s Second Intifada in 2000, French Jews have started to feel there may be no future for the younger generation in France and quite a few have emigrated to Israel to maintain their Jewish identity.” Hebrew University PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA Regarding future Israeli-European relations, sociologist Prof. Gili Drori, noted, “This survey reveals the urgency of studying the multidimensionality of Israeli-European relations. We see that alongside the very strong trade relations and formal agreements between Israel and Europe, Israelis observe the rise of antisemitism and the growing power of the political right in Europe with great alarm.” The representative survey from the Israeli adult population was conducted in faceto-face interviews in respondents’ homes last October. PORI Institute conducted fieldwork partly funded by the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation in Jerusalem.
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Herzog to make historic UAE trip
President Isaac Herzog is to make a historic two day visit to the United Arab Emirates. During the presidential trip Herzog will meet Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Isaac Herzog bin Zayed Al Nahyan, senior government officials including Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and the Jewish community.
President Herzog and the First Lady Michal depart on Sunday and will visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
President Herzog, ahead of his departure said, “This important visit comes as the Israeli and Emirati nations are busy laying the foundations of a new shared future. I believe that our bold new partnership will transform the Middle East and inspire the whole region. We are a peace-loving nation and together we will expand the historic circle of peace of the Abraham Accords and create a better, more tolerant, and safer world for our children.”
The President will open Israel’s national day at Expo 2020 Dubai during the whistle stop trip.
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CAA welcomes jail sentence for neo-Nazi
BY SIMCHA ABIR
Campaign Against Antisemitism has welcomed a Court of Appeal ruling to jail a neo-Nazi for two years after his sentence was deemed “unduly lenient”.
Ben John, 21, was convicted at Leicester Crown Court last August of possessing information likely to be useful for preparing an act of terror. The charge carried a maximum jail sentence of 15 years.
John, who had 67,788 documents containing National Socialist, white supremacist, antisemitic material and Satanic information, was handed the jail term last September suspended for two years plus a further year on licence, monitored by the probation service.
The former De Montfort University student was also given a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order to stay in touch with police who would monitor his online activity and up to 30 days on a Healthy Identity Intervention programme.
Lincolnshire Police said John had become part of the Extreme Right Wing online and was studying Criminology with Psychology in Leicester when he was arrested.
However, Judge Timothy Spencer QC Spencer said John’s crime was an isolated incident by a “lonely individual” and “act of teenage folly”. Spencer added that John was “highly susceptible” to recruitment and was not of the view that harm was “likely to have been caused”.
John was instructed to return every four months to be tested on reading classic literature.
The Court of Appeal heard that John resumed his interest in far-right extremism within days of the original sentence.
Solicitor General, Alex Chalk QC, told the court, “He began liking Nazi posts online and other extremist activity five days after promising the judge he had put it behind him.”
Chalk added that “some of the material accessed as recently as this month is very troubling.”
In handing down the judgement, Lord Justice Holroyde said the original judge’s intention to avoid having to jail John was “understandable”, but concluded that “there must be a sentence of immediate imprisonment.”
John was jailed for two years with a oneyear extended licence. He will be eligible for release after spending two thirds of his prison sentence.
“We know from hard experience that sometimes it takes time to get justice,” said a CAA spokesperson. “John has today finally received an appropriate custodial sentence. The Attorney General was absolutely right to ask the Court of Appeal to review the pathetic original sentence. It was inexplicable that a man who collected nearly 70,000 neo-Nazi and terror-related documents could entirely avoid prison for crimes that carry a maximum jail term of fifteen years:
Noting that John had left court with a “mere suspended sentence and some English homework”, CAA added, “The British public can sleep safer tonight knowing that the Court of Appeal has shown sense, rectified the alarming joke of a sentence originally handed down to Mr John, and jailed a dangerous individual.”
When John reported back to Judge Timothy Spencer QC on his reading efforts, the judge was encouraged by John’s efforts. However, in an interview with Scout News last month, John reportedly said he had not read the books.
CAA and other groups condemned the sentence as a dangerous joke, the Attorney General asked the Court of Appeal to review an “unduly lenient” sentence.
Florence commemorates Nazi victims
Stumbling Stones memorials in Florence
PHOTO: FEEL FLORENCE
BY LEAH WAXLER
The Jewish community and Municipality of Florence have commemorated Italian Jews murdered by Nazis by installing 25 stumbling stones on city streets for Holocaust Remembrance Day today.
Fifty square-shaped memorials were placed on pavements in January 2019.
The stones remember Jews murdered in concentration camps but also casualties from Roma and Sinti communities, homosexuals and political dissidents.
This year there is also a tribute to German Expressionist artist Rudolf Levy (1875-44) who left his homeland in the 1930s after persecution seeking refuge in the Rapallo, Mallorca, New York then Ischia, near Naples.
In 1940, he went into hiding in Florence where he deported to a death camp in 1944.
Levy was trapped by the SS who pretended to be art agents. He was briefly imprisoned at Le Murate, then deported to Auschwitz. His art survived him.
Cyber security industry grows
BY LEAH WAXLER
The Israeli Cyber Security industry set new growth records in 2021.
Data processed by the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) showed funds tripled to a record $8.8 billion in over 100 different deals. Additional records were set in cyber exports with 11 Israeli companies joining the billion-dollar (Unicorn) club.
According to data, four Israeli cyber security IPOs occurred. One out of three cyber security unicorns globally are an Israeli company.
Investment in Israel is on the increase relative to the rest of the world. 2021 featured over 40 acquisition deals of Israeli companies and foreign entities with an estimated worth of $3.5 billion.
Around 40% of private global investment in cyber security funding rounds are in Israel. And according to Israeli Export Institute data, cyber exports were $11 billion in 2021.
Roi Yarom, INCD Director for Economy and Growth said, “The Israeli cyber industry wrapped up another record shattering year in which it showed that it was not only an economic growth engine in Israel of the highest order, but also a pillar of the global cyber security innovation ecosystem.”
The INCD maintains a safe and open cyberspace for Israel’s citizens and facilitates Israel’s growth and power base.
INCD prevents, detects and responds to cyber attacks on a national level. It adopts cybersecure technologies, publishes best practices, trains personnel and increases awareness.
The directorate supports advanced academic research and promotes the State of Israel as a world leader in cyber. It also designs national cyber strategy and policy in Israel and internationally, and advises Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and the Government of Israel.
BoD and CAA praise “gamechanging” conviction
BY ADAM MOSES
A man who made antisemitic phone calls to the Board of Deputies has been convicted of malicious communication and racially aggravated assault at Peterborough Crown Court.
Nicholas Nelson, 32, was charged under section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
The Board administrator received antisemitic calls in April and May 2020. Calls were triggered by a BoD statement about antisemitism in the Labour Party.
Nelson, who lives in Cambridgeshire, also sent antisemitic e-mails and messages to Oscar-nominated Jewish writer Lee Kern and hateful messages to communications strategist Joanne Bell.
Nelson was convicted after pleading guilty. Sentencing takes place in March. The offence carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine.
The case followed a first-of-its-kind litigation by Campaign Against Antisemitism.
“Our new legal device to unmask internet trolls who hide behind anonymous e-mail addresses in order to abuse Jewish victims has borne fruit with today’s guilty plea,” said Stephen Silverman, CAA.
“This game-changing precedent is the most significant development in the legal fight against online hate in years. We are grateful for the cooperation of the police and prosecutors in helping us to send a message of deterrence to would-be online abusers. We will continue to devise innovative legal mechanisms to protect the Jewish community and deliver justice to victims of antisemitism, including in ways previously thought impossible.”
BoD of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl welcomed the conviction.
“It is good to know that people who make malicious, racist comments cannot do so with impunity,” she said. “This man felt it was safe to hide behind anonymous phone calls to make vile comments to our staff. Now he will face the full force of the law.”
Kern contacted CAA, which funded a case led by lawyer and Honorary CAA patron Mark Lewis.
Abusive communications came from accounts Nelson had worked hard to make anonymous. But the new legal initiative by CAA and counsel identified Nelson for criminal proceedings to commence.
Kern said Nelson was a “malevolent racist” motivated by his love of Jeremy Corbyn and had engaged in an antisemitic campaign of harassment against him for a number of years.
Kern said, “Justice will now be served. All those who think they can attack Jews anonymously and get away with it should pay heed. We have the motivation and commitment to come after you hard. And we succeed.”
Nelson had pleaded guilty to the same charge in 2018 after sending abusive messages to Labour MPs. The court gave Nelson a 20-week suspended sentence for 122 months and ordered to complete 160 hours unpaid work. New offences were committed during the period of the suspended sentence.
27 JANUARY 2022
TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488 Jnetics looks to raise £500K
BY DAVID SAFFER
Jnetics is holding its first matched funding campaign this month.
The UK’s only cross communal charity is dedicated to the prevention and management of Jewish Genetic Disorders.
The 36-hour ‘Give and Let Live’ Campaign, which runs this Sunday to Monday, aims to harness the networks of 150 ambassadors to reach the goal of raising £500,000. Thanks to generous donors money raised will be doubled ensuring every pound will have double the impact.
Jnetics CEO, Nicole Gordon, explained to the Jewish Weekly why the charity is running the campaign.
“We have achieved so much in the last 18 months, increasing the size of our testing panel from nine to 47 conditions to include Sephardi and Mizrachi as well as Ashkenazi,” she explained. “This hugely increases our profile within the community. Moving to a virtual screening platform offers bigger opportunities in terms of the numbers of people we can test and the geographic reach we can cover. However, as we have increased Jnetics relevance within the community this has put added pressure on the charity financially in addition to the devastation of our fundraising due to Covid-19. We have ambitious targets for Jnetics during 2022 and in order to achieve this we need to raise the funds to continue our life saving work”
Can you tell us about the match funding campaign and how will the funds be spent?
“The more the community give, the more young adults we will be able to test and the more lives we will save, it really is that simple,” Nicole said. “We have an army of nearly 150 Ambassadors who will reach out to their contacts for support during the campaign.
“The funds will be spent on screening young adults through schools, universities and the Jnetics Clinic which targets young couples. In addition, due to the pandemic we have a backlog of 800 young adults in schools who were unable to be screened due to the pandemic. Every person screened costs £300, so we have to raise a substantial amount of money each year to meet our screening targets.”
Jnetics has a team of five full time staff, however the charity continues its life saving work due to a pool of 300 volunteers, many of whom are scientifically and/or medically trained.
Nicole has been in the role nearly 18 months and cites fundraising as the biggest challenge due to Covid-19. An inaugural dinner was cancelled twice.
What other areas were impacted?
“Remote working to a degree has proved challenging, especially for me as I was new to the role so developing relationships with the team and managing remotely has been interesting,” she explained. “We also had to develop new ways of testing so that we could continue
our screening programmes. We moved to a totally virtual programme in universities, our Jnetics Clinic was hugely successful and will continue despite the end of the pandemic now being in sight.”
She added, “Schools have proved a huge challenge for the charity during this time, but I am pleased to say that we have recently restarted our schools programme.”
Nicole noted that during her tenure to date a highlight was a larger testing panel but also new fundraising channels with the launch of its first Jneticycle challenge and campus programme that enabled Jnetics to screen around 300 students at no cost to them across 60 educational centres. It is now firmly embedded in the diary annually.
As for surprises, she noted, “The biggest is how engaged the wider community are and want to be with Jnetics. I have been blown away by the engagement and support in all our endeavours. We are hugely grateful.”
Recent times for charities have been difficult but now the pandemic is easing will this change?
“Some things will not change, in fact in many ways the pandemic offered us an opportunity to screen greater numbers of young Jewish adults across a greater geographic reach than ever before,” Nicole said. “As far as we are concerned the Jnetics clinic and the Jnetics on Campus university programme will remain virtual.”
She added, “Schools have proved a tremendous challenge, the closure for 18 months made it impossible to screen year 12 students. We now have hundreds of students to screen, which is one of the key drivers behind the matchfunding campaign.” So, how do you think fundraising will look in the future? “We have learnt a lot from the pandemic with regards to fundraising,” Nicole said. “I’m not sure whether moving forward there will be a place for the classic fundraising dinners, they are so much more restrictive in terms of the outreach. The great thing about crowdfunding campaigns is that they can spread awareness across the community as well as raising funds.” Zoom sessions have become the norm, have they opened new opportunities?
“Yes, now we can run online events and it doesn’t matter where in the world one is!” Nicole noted.
Now we are coming out of the pandemic will you move back to old ways of testing?
“No, certainly not through the Jnetics Clinic and through our Jnetics on Campus universities programme, the virtual offering is far more attractive,” Nicole explained. “The screening participants do not have to move off their sofa and Jnetics can screen greater numbers across a wider geographic reach than ever before. In schools we have found the virtual offering to be less effective and so we are back in schools with the insitu model.”
So, how do you see the future?
“Genomic medicine is advancing all the time so watch this space!” Nicole explained. “What I do know is that as a community we need to continue to shift the mindset and normalise screening for genetic disorders, as it is in other countries. A fifth of us are likely to carry the faulty gene for one of the disorders that we test for. At a time when so much is out of our control, as a community we must seize the opportunity to manage what is in our control and erasing genetic disorders from our community is. There is no reason why any young couple should have to endure the heartache of giving birth to a child with one of the genetic disorders that we screen for.”
She added, “We will continue to educate and screen as many young Jewish adults each year through the Jnetics clinic, all nine mainstream Jewish secondary schools and through our university programme as we can. We will also educate and signpost the community with regard to BRCA, which is currently an area of huge relevance within our community. We are working in collaboration with other communities in addressing similar issues and working on the possible provision of screening.
“There is definitely a community need for BRCA screening. One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews and one in 80 Sephardi Jews are carriers for the BRCA1 /BRCA 2 gene. As a community we need to come together and effect a move from family-based screening to population-based screening.”
Nicole concluded, “I would urge all young adults beginning to think about family planning to be screened. A simple saliva test will empower them with the knowledge to ensure their children will be born free from the devastating genetic disorders that Jnetics screen for.”
Jnetics works closely with but are not funded by the NHS to ensure that any young adults requiring follow up support will have it.
Jnetics is the only cross-communal charity in the UK testing adults in schools, universities and through its Jnetics Clinic. Jnetics currently tests for 47 genetic disorders, all recessive, but life threatening, life shortening and debilatating.
Jnetics CEO, Nicole Gordon
To find out more about Jnetics or to book your test visit www.jnetics.org/screening
The Jewish Weekly is supporting the Give and Let Live appeal campaign.
Yad Vashem welcomes UN Holocaust resolution
BY DAVID SAFFER
Yad Vashem, global diplomats and organisations fighting antisemitism have welcomed the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution condemning Holocaust denial and distortion.
The resolution, co-sponsored by 114 nations, called on UN member states to develop educational programs and teach future generations about the lessons of the Holocaust to help prevent future acts of genocide. It also appealed to the UN and its agencies to continue implementing programs to counter Holocaust denial and mobilise society to provide truthful facts about the Holocaust.
Israel UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan and Germany’s Antje Leendertse backed the resolution and its significance as it came on the 80th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference where Nazi leaders coordinated plans for the ‘Final Solution” to exterminate the Jews.
Erdan, whose parents are holocaust survivors, told the assembly, “We now live in an era in which fiction is becoming fact and the Holocaust is becoming a distant memory. And as this happens following the greatest crime in human history, now comes the greatest cover-up in human history.”
Erdan added that the resolution preserves the memory of the six million victims and was a commitment to ensure that Holocaust distortion and denial “will be tolerated no more”.
Erdan invited five Holocaust survivors including Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla to be present at the assembly and called for action from social media platforms that spread a “pandemic of distortions and lies” about the Holocaust.
“As the number of survivors dwindles, the young generation is learning from social networks to doubt reality and believe in fraud,” he said. “The media giants can no longer remain complacent to the hate being spread on their platforms.”
“The General Assembly is sending a strong and unambiguous message against the denial or the distortion of these historical facts,” said Leendertse. “Ignoring historical facts increases the risk that they will be repeated.”
Following the vote, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog tweeted, “47 years ago, my father Chaim Herzog, Israel’s UN ambassador, ripped up an outrageous resolution equating Zionism with racism. Today, I am pleased to see the UN taking this step for historical truth. We must keep doing everything to fight the terrible scourge of Holocaust denial.”
The adoption of the resolution came a week before International Holocaust Remembrance Day today.
Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan said, “We must redouble our efforts to expand
Gilad Erdan
PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA Antje Leendertse
PHOTO: DAAD
and support unfettered and fact-based Holocaust research and education. Holocaust distortion is so dangerous because, quite plainly, it misrepresents essential facts of history in order to legitimise past and present misdeeds.” He added, “The Holocaust carries substantial relevance for many vital contemporary issues, denying and distorting the uniqueness and unprecedented aspects of events is not only detrimental to the memory of the Holocaust but to that of other atrocities and genocides as well.”
Israel and Germnay’s Forign Minister’s, Yair Lapid and Annalena Baerbock issued a joint statement.
They said, “We have a duty to all victims and survivors, never to forget. We take responsibility for preserving and protecting the historical facts of the Holocaust that led to the annihilation of a third of the Jewish people, alongside members of other minorities. The Holocaust will forever serve as a warning sign for everyone against the danger inherent in hatred, intolerance, racism and prejudice.” They added, “The adoption of this resolution by consensus clearly proves that Holocaust denial is a matter for which the international community stands united in agreement.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the resolution, said his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
“We can never let down our guard in the face of increasing attempts to deny, distort or minimise the Holocaust,” he said. “We must also adapt and respond to new forms of antisemitism fuelled by ignorance or conspiracy theories, also circulating online.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the UK was “proud” to co-sponsor the adopted resolution to combat Holocaust denial.
Noting on Twitter that it was “an historic UN resolution” brought forward by our Israeli and German friends, Truss added, “Together we continue to stand against antisemitism in all forms and reject any attempt to deny the facts of the Holocaust”.
The resolution sends “a strong message against the denial or the distortion of these historical facts”, the UN said. It is only the second time in UN history that an Israeli resolution has been adopted by the UN General Assembly.
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted that the resolution could not have come at a more important moment.
Recalling the recent terror attack at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas and Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg a few years ago, she said, “We know that a pernicious rising tide of antisemitism has led to deadly violence in the U.S. and elsewhere around the globe. We must root out anti-Semitic hatred and the false narratives that go hand in hand in our communities, in our countries, and in our institutions. This is why it is so important that we consistently remember and speak out against the hatred that spurred the Holocaust. We continue to say again and again, “never again, never again.””
The Anti-Defamation League tweeted, “We applaud the UNGA for passing this important resolution targeting Holocaust denial. It’s an important declaration against Holocaust denial & distortion.”
Eliot Minchenberg, UNESCO, said the resolution would “definitely give us more support, and maybe leverage, when it comes to engaging member states” in an effort to educate people on the Holocaust.
International March of the Living President Phyllis Greenberg Heideman and Chairman Dr Shmuel Rosenman in a joint statement said, “Passage of this historic resolution honours those Holocaust survivors gratefully still with us, dignifies those who senselessly perished and sends a clear message to the world that the Holocaust is history’s unforgettable fact.”
US Holocaust Memorial Museum director Sara J. Bloomfield said, “Violent antisemitism is on the rise. History shows us that mass communications and the propaganda they facilitate have the potential for good or ill. Social media can reach billions in seconds and enable communities of hate to develop. Hitler once said, ‘Propaganda is a truly terrible weapon in the hands of an expert.’ With social media, anyone can be an expert. The UN resolution is an important step, but addressing antisemitism will require efforts from governments, companies, organisations, and individuals worldwide, and we hope this resolution will spark further action.”
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder commented, “Holocaust denial is not merely just a historically inaccurate statement, it has become a cornerstone of antisemitic incitement, white supremacy and other extremist movements,” he said.
WJC noted that Holocaust denial was a “grand conspiracy myth” that asked people to conclude that Holocaust survivors who provided witness statements were wrong, non-Jewish bystanders who testified were lying, historians were mistaken or misinterpreted the facts and perpetrators could only have testified under torture.
While the resolution was adopted, Iran “disassociated” itself from the resolution.
The resolution lists distortion or denial of the Holocaust as intentional efforts to excuse or minimise the impact of the Holocaust or its principal elements, including collaborators and allies of Nazi Germany, gross minimisation of the number of the victims of the Holocaust in contradiction to reliable sources, attempts to blame the Jews for causing their own genocide, statements that cast the Holocaust as a positive historical event and attempts to blur the responsibility for the establishment of concentration and death camps devised and operated by Nazi Germany by putting blame on other nations or ethnic groups.
Meron entrance
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
The Israeli government has approved a compensation plan for victims of the Mount Meron stampede tragedy at Lag B’Omer.
Each family of the 45 fatalities will receive NIS 500,000 ($158,000).
“These are very difficult humanitarian cases,” said Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. “The state is taking responsibility, even before the conclusions of the state commission of inquiry, which could yet take some time. The compensation will not bring back the 45 people who were killed there but will, at least, assist the families in getting through this very difficult period.”
The payment will help families struggling financially and may be deducted from a future legal settlement decided by the state commission of inquiry.
Sadly, the panel’s chairperson, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Miriam Naor, died suddenly on Monday. It is not clear how this may affect the panel’s work.
The panel announced interim findings last November, recommendations will be implemented before Lag B’Omer at Meron in May.
“We will allow it to be held in a safe manner,” said Bennett. “Those who go up to Mount Meron will not have to risk their lives.” He added. “The celebration will be different. We will allow it to be held in a safe manner. Those who go up to Mount Meron will not have to risk their lives. I rely on the Religious Services Minister and on the other ministers in this regard.”
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Police arrests after Texas shul attack
Greater Manchester Police have arrested two more men in connection with the Texas synagogue terror attack carried out by Malik Faisal Akram earlier this month.
The men arrested in Manchester remain in custody for questioning.
In a statement, police said: “Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West are continuing with their investigation following the events in Texas, they are working closely with and are supporting US law enforcement.” The statement added, “We continue to work closely with colleagues from other forces. Communities defeat terrorism and the help and support we get from the public is a vital part of that.”
Counter Terror Policing North West arrested four men including two teenagers in South Manchester last week.
Akram had threatened congregants
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
attending Shabbat services at Beth Israel Synagogue.
In a terrifying attack he held four hostages during an 11-hour stand off. Police shot Akram dead and noted he acted alone.
US President Joe Biden said the attack was an “act of terror”, the UK condemned it.
AAD and CAA praise Everton over 3-year fan ban
BY DAVID SAFFER
Action Against Discrimination and Campaign Against Antisemitism have commended Everton FC for issuing a three-year banning order against a supporter who made antisemitic slurs towards Tottenham Hotspur supporters during a Premier League match at Goodison Park last year.
Michael Campbell, of Aigburth Road, Liverpool, was reported to stewards and police following his actions at the match held on 7th November.
Merseyside Police and Everton conducted an investigation that resulted in Campbell’s arrest and subsequent charges. He then received the Football Banning Order for three years at South Sefton Magistrates Court in Bootle and ordered to pay a fine and court costs at a hearing last week.
“These are commendable developments by Everton,” noted AAD chairman Jonathan Metliss.
A CAA spokesman added, “Banning fans who engage in anti-Jewish racism demonstrates that this kind of rhetoric will not be tolerated. Other clubs should heed Everton’s example.”
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill, of Merseyside Police, said, “Hate crime in all its forms simply will not be tolerated and I hope this result sends a clear message that anyone found to commit hate crime offences anywhere on Merseyside will be brought to justice. Campbell will now have a criminal record and the consequences of this in the future could prove to be significant. The professional response of Everton Football Club stewards meant that he was quickly identified and arrested.” He added: “We know that the overwhelming majority of supporters attending matches are well behaved and would share our revulsion at these appalling chants. However, when the behaviour of fans is unacceptable we will always work with clubs to identify those people and put them before the courts.”
An Everton spokesperson commented, “Club officials and security staff have worked alongside Merseyside Police in their investigation which has concluded with an arrest and subsequent conviction.
“The Club strongly condemns any form of hate crime and has a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of discrimination. Any such behaviour has no place within our stadiums, our community or our game and we will act swiftly to deal with any reported instances of discrimination.”
AAD have also commented on last Sunday’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge when away fans at the Shed End chanted “Yid”, “Being a Yid” and “Yiddo”.
“This is a criminal offence in itself, as these terms are abusive to Jewish people generally,” commented Metliss. “This behaviour is sickening, upsetting and abhorrent and unbefitting a sports event. These evil chants should be banned as being obscene and inciting and provoking racial hatred and antisemitic behaviour.”
AAD has again written to Tottenham complaining about this behaviour and calls on the club, relevant football authorities and Metropolitan Police to stop this chanting.
The relevant Government policy unit has also been contacted.
AAD have reported some positive news in that Brentford FC have committed to stop ‘Y Word’ chanting when Tottenham visit Brentford in April.
In December 2020, the Premier League adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.
