Simon Wiesenthal Center

Recently, Simon Wiesenthal Center's Latin America representative, Ariel Gelblung, spoke at the 2nd Panamerican Forum for Young Politicians. The forum gathered representatives from over 30 countries, with a majority from Latin America. Gelblung participated in a panel titled "Attacks on Religious Freedom - Last Defense of the Western Hemisphere." In Gelblung's address, he highlighted that more than half of the world's population lives under regimes that do not guarantee religious freedom. He also discussed Iran and its proxies, as well as Hamas and Hezbollah's role in the rise of anti-Semitism following October 7th. The Simon Wiesenthal Center maintains a presence in Buenos Aires, reinforcing the commitment to condemning anti-Semitism and hate worldwide. #SimonWiesenthalCenter #CSWLatam #LatinAmerica #ReligousFreedom #AntiSemitism

The City of Nagasaki decided not to invite Israel to its ceremony commemorating the 1945 atomic bombing, while extending an invitation to a Palestinian representative. SWC’s Rabbi Abraham Cooper criticized the Nagasaki Mayor for not inviting Israel to the atomic bomb Memorial, calling it immoral and disrespectful to both Japanese victims and the 1,200 Israelis killed on October 7. He emphasized that the Nagasaki bombing ended World War II, highlighting Japan's alliance with Nazi Germany during that time. For decades, individuals in Japan, the US, and the global Jewish community have worked to build trust and alliances while learning from the past, but this exclusion undermines that trust. Read more about the SWC’s statement in our press release: https://lnkd.in/g4f9B5gy #Hiroshima #Nagasaki #Israel #JapanIsraelRelations #Japan

Breaking News: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Tehran, Iran, shortly after attending the swearing-in ceremony for new president Masoud Pezeshkian. Haniyeh was a key figure in the most recent Israel-Hamas conflict and has caused death and destruction for years. He faced scrutiny from the International Criminal Court, which sought arrest warrants for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Simon Wiesenthal Center hopes that Haniyeh's removal will accelerate the release of hostages, an end to the fighting, and a potential path to peace. Read more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/gid7Rjhr Photo credit: Mohammed Salem/Reuters #IsmailHaniyeh #Haniyeh #Hamas #Iran #HamasChief #BreakingNews #News

During the Israel-Paraguay soccer match at the Paris Olympics, two horrific forms of anti-Semitism were displayed by pro-Palestinian supporters, highlighting the disturbing rise of hate worldwide. Firstly, as the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, was played, pro-Palestinian supporters responded with Nazi salutes and chants of "Heil Hitler." This disgraceful act not only minimizes the horrors of the Holocaust but also promotes extreme anti-Semitism. Secondly, pro-Palestinian fans held up a banner reading "Genocide Olympics." This statement is a horrifying falsehood and undermines the significance of protecting the state of Israel. Such actions are not expressions of free speech—they are hate speech, and they must be condemned and stopped. The SWC is pleased to hear that the Paris Olympics will not tolerate this anti-Semitic behavior. Paris 2024 stated it “strongly condemns these acts… and is committed to combating all forms of discrimination.…reminds everyone that the Games are a time for harmony and tolerance.” Video credit: TMZ #Olympics2024 #ParisOIympics #ParisOlympics2024 #AntiSemitism #HateSpeech #Hatikvah #IsraelOlympics #IsraelOlypmics2024 #Israel #StandWithIsrael #IsraelParaguay #SoccerOlympics

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has called for the dismissal of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she made a controversial comparison between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler. Rabbi Cooper from the SWC stated, "This is not a one-off incident. Francesca Albanese has a long-standing pattern of demonizing Israel and justifying terror against Israelis. SWC underscores that anti-Semitism has no place in any organization, least of all within the United Nations. We urge European governments to leverage their influence within the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that Francesca Albanese is held accountable for her actions and removed from her role as Special Rapporteur.” Read more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/g_SeteZH Photo credit: Craig Mokhiber via X #FrancescaAlbanese #StandWithIsrael #antiSemitism

The Simon Wiesenthal Center mourns the largest civilian casualty since October 7th. This is the fate Iran's proxy, Hezbollah, wants for all Israeli citizens. What is the world doing about this, where is the outrage? https://lnkd.in/gk5kw-V7 #StandwithIsrael

As the Olympics commence today, the Simon Wiesenthal Center applauds the Paris Olympics for honoring Holocaust survivor Léon Lewkowicz, who at 94 years old, carried the Olympic flame earlier this week. Lewkowicz bore the torch through the 15th arrondissement to the Memorial Garden of the Children of the Vél' d'hiv'. This site commemorates the 4,115 children deported from Paris and murdered in Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942. Interestingly, Lewkowicz nearly became an Olympian himself. In 1955, at just 19 years old, he became the French weightlifting championship. However, his Olympic dreams were put on hold as he was not yet a French citizen at the time. In light of the numerous death threats faced by Israeli athletes, this moment serves as a beacon of hope for Jews worldwide. #ParisOlympics #HolocaustSurvivor #LeonLewkowicz #OlympicTorch #Olympics2024

The Simon Wiesenthal Center regrets to announce the passing of Alex Dancyg at the age of 76. Dancyg was a pioneer in Jewish history and education, collaborating with educational institutions in Israel and Europe and mentoring thousands of students. Alex Dancyg was abducted from his bed on Kibbutz Nir-Oz during Simchat Torah. Throughout his life, he fought against anti-Semitism, only to be taken hostage and murdered by Hamas. This year, Alex was scheduled to mentor more groups, emphasizing that humans always have the free choice to do good or evil. May the world learn the lessons that Alex taught. We must continue to demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages and stand in solidarity with Israel against terrorism. #AlexDancyg #JewishHistory #HolocaustEducation #AntiSemitism #NeverForget #FreeTheHostages #StandWithIsrael #Israel Photo credit: Yad Vashem

Simon Wiesenthal Center met with PM Netanyahu & Jewish American leaders yesterday. Key issues addressed: hostage release, Israeli/Jewish unity, US-Israel relations, Iran's nuclear threat, global antisemitism & confronting Hamas. Read more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/gZNVAhnJ #SimonWiesenthalCenter #SWC #Netanyahu #JewishUnity #HostageRelease #USIsraelRelations #StandWithIsrael

Exciting news! The Israeli Olympic team arrived in Paris yesterday! In just 3 days, these incredible athletes will compete on the global stage. Despite facing adversity and threats, Israel's determination to participate in the Olympics is a victory in itself. The Simon Wiesenthal Center stands with the Israeli athletes who continue to represent their nation. Their courage in the aftermath of October 7 sends a clear message that terror and intimidation will not prevail. Due to heightened tensions and threats, the Israeli delegation is accompanied by enhanced security measures as they participate in the 2024 Olympics amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Let's cheer them on as they strive for gold during these challenging times! Photo: Israel Olympic Committee #IsraelAtTheOlympics #Paris2024 #StandWithIsrael #AntiSemitism #2024Olympics #Olympics2024 #Paris #Israel #IsraeliOlympicTeam