CNN wins StandWithUs plaudits for series on anti-Semitism
StandWithUs has applauded CNN for its week-long series reporting on resurgent anti-Semitism in Europe during November, 2018. CNN commissioned a poll of over 7,000 European adults that found, “Anti- Semitic stereotypes are alive and well in Europe, while the memory of the Holocaust is starting to fade… a third of Europeans in the poll said they knew just a little or nothing at all about the Holocaust.”
“Perhaps most troubling to me, as the child of Holocaust survivors, is the very high level of ignorance among millions of Europeans about what happened to their Jewish neighbors on their own soil,” stated Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO of StandWithUs. “Nazi Germany’s mass murder of Jews was in the context of a world war. This represents a failure of education, which can have far-reaching consequences not only for Jews, but for all Europeans. As anti-Semitism infects Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party and other political factions across Europe, it is crucial for people of good will to act before it is too late.”
According to the CNN poll “substantial minorities blamed Israel or Jews themselves” for anti-Semitism. “This itself is an expression of anti-Semitism. It is blaming the victim,” continued Rothstein.
In America, the Anti-Defamation League reported a 60% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in 2017, not including October’s massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue. “I urge CNN to expand its study of resurgent anti-Semitism to include the United States. A major focus ought to be the growth of anti-Semitism on the far right, as well as on American college campuses where Jewish students face marginalization and discrimination because of anti-Israel activism that often spills over into anti-Semitism,” Rothstein said.
Historically, anti-Semitism symbolizes ‘the Jews’ as embodying everything that a given society believes to be loathsome and evil. In the Middle Ages Jews were called ‘Christ-killers,’ in the 20th century communists blamed Jews for capitalism, and capitalists blamed Jews for communism, while Nazis blamed Jews for polluting the races.
“Today, racism and apartheid are widely-viewed as the most repugnant thing. So, following the long pattern of anti-Semitism Israel – the Jewish state – has been saddled with the representation of being the most unique ‘evil’ in the world. While it is not anti-Semitic to criticize Israeli policies, it is anti-Semitic to make Israel the symbol of evil and humanity’s great misfortune. This language is found on the far right, the far left and among Islamist extremists. They all seem to agree that Israel, the state of the Jews, should be treated as the Jew among the states,” Rothstein explained. –– From StandWithUs
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Attorney for accused terrorist resigns in backlash over his cursing at bereaved family
The attorney of the alleged terrorist who is accused of murdering Sgt. Ron Kokia announced his resignation from the case following wide backlash for hurling expletives at the bereaved family during the court hearing.
Last Thursday, a heated exchange erupted between the Kokia family and attorney Nasser Mustafa, the representative of the alleged terrorist accused of murdering Sgt. Kokia in November 2017, in which Mustafa berated the Kokia family and called them “sons of bitches.”
Following the outburst, a formal complaint against Mustafa was lodged with the Israel Bar Association on behalf of the Kokia family by attorney Ben Zion Adoram, the legal advisor of the Zionist organization Im Tirtzu. A viral post uploaded by Im Tirtzu shaming Mustafa for the incident was shared by over 2,000 people.
According to Reshet Bet, Israel’s public broadcasting station, Mustafa stated that his resignation was due to differences with the accused as well as “information posted to social media…that harmed my good and professional reputation…”
Boaz Kokia, father of Ron Kokia, called on the Israeli public to refrain from employing Mustafa.
“Whoever curses at a bereaved family and wastes the court’s time needs to bear the consequences,” said Kokia. “This attorney must be punished for his disgraceful actions. We will continue to press the matter with the Israel Bar Association until steps are taken against this attorney.”
“Whoever chooses to represent a depraved terrorist should know that the people of Israel will not respect him,” added Kokia.
Ben Zion Adoram, Im Tirtzu’s legal advisor who has been accompanying the Kokia family, said: “Less than 24 hours following the complaint to the Israel Bar Association, attorney Mustafa resigned due to the shame over his actions, and this is a large victory for the side of justice and decency. — From Im Tirzu
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Bend the Arc Jewish Action ‘disgusted’ by attacks against Linda Sarsour
In response to manufactured smears against Linda Sarsour involving her fundraising efforts for the Pittsburgh Jewish community following the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, released the following statement:
“We are disgusted by concerted efforts to spread lies about Linda Sarsour’s sincere support for the victims of the Tree of Life shooting and for the American Jewish community. Following the shooting, Linda immediately jumped in to support us in our time of mourning, attending vigils, and promoted fundraising efforts for funerals and for the safety and security of Tree of Life and other Jewish institutions in Pittsburgh. These baseless smears not only seek to vilify Linda, they also serve to erase the incredible outpouring of love and solidarity from the American Muslim community in the wake of the largest antisemitic massacre in our country’s history.
“We see these shameful and disgusting attacks against Linda for what they are: attempts by the political Right to divide our communities by attacking a woman of color leader and exploiting anti-Muslim bigotry. And we see Linda’s actions and allyship for what they are: a long history of standing with all targeted communities out of love and justice.
“We recognize that there are a variety of strongly-held viewpoints in the Jewish community, and we affirm that we do not have to agree with each other or with our allies on everything. But the confusion and pain that some in the Jewish community feel about Linda’s leadership should not be conflated with this right-wing attempt at character assassination. We are living through existential times that require discernment, discipline, and enormous heart. We must collectively remain focused on the threat of the growing white nationalist movement and recognize that our safety is bound up with each other.” — From Bend the Arc