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Anti-Semitic Vandalism and Graffiti Pop Up Across the Country

ADL Headlines newsletter

September 13, 2019

THE WEEK’S BIG 3

ADL is monitoring a spate of anti-Semitic vandalism and graffiti across the country over the past two weeks, including at a synagogue in Los Angeles, a high school in the Bay Area and a residence hall at the University of Nevada, Reno. Several Israeli students in Warsaw were allegedly assaulted by a group of men from Qatar, shouting “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza.” And in conjunction with the Aspen Institute, ADL announced a new cohort of leaders from across the political and ideological spectrum for its inaugural class of the Civil Society Fellowship.

Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate, and the latest info about ADL from around the country.

1)    Anti-Semitic Vandalism and Graffiti Across the Country Draws the Concern of ADL

“The Sept. 5 graffiti at Burlingame High School, CA occurred during a string of similar anti-Semitic graffiti occurring around the country; several swastikas were found spray-painted on at least nine homes in San Pedro over Labor Day weekend. Additionally, swastika graffiti was also found at a University of Nevada Reno residence hall on Aug. 23 and at Needham High School in Boston on Sept. 4” Jewish Journal: READ MORE

+ Los Angeles Synagogue Vandalized with ‘Free Palestine’ Graffiti – Forward

+ UNR taking steps after swastika discovered at Wolf Pack Tower – KOLO-TV, ABC Reno

2)    Israeli Students Assaulted in Warsaw by Qatari Youths

“The men identified themselves as being from Qatar and started shouting ‘free Palestine,’ ‘free Gaza’ and ‘f**k Israel’ at the group of Israelis, and when they stated they were indeed from Israel, the Qatari men began to attack and assault them.” The Jerusalem Post: FULL STORY

+ Jonathan Greenblatt tweet: With #antiSemitism & anti-Israel hate on the rise, we need ally-ship; indifference is not an option…

+ WATCH ADL VIDEO: Dealing with rising anti-Semitism in Europe

3)    Inaugural Class of Civil Society Fellows Unveiled

“’We are now bringing together a group of diverse individuals from around the country and across the ideological spectrum to turn their ideas into actions that will strengthen American civil society,’ said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. ‘I hope that this emerging fellowship cohort of leaders will have the opportunity to engage with one another, share insights, challenge one another’s ideas respectfully, and expand their horizons…’” Jewish Insider: FULL STORY

+ What is the Civil Society Fellowship?

+ Meet this year’s class of Fellows

KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS

•    Our country’s doors need to stay open for asylum seekers, regardless of where their journey starts…
•    Online trolls are weaponizing lists of Jews by variously posting their images and personal information…
•    Incredibly heartbreaking to see this 120 yr old synagogue go up in flames. We’re glad law enforcement is investigating to see if this was a targeted attack…

IN THE COMMUNITY

•    Anti-hate group keeps eye on investigation in Duluth (Duluth News Tribune)
•    Man who faced homophobic, anti-Semitic harassment at New York subway stop tells his story (WPIX-TV, New York – Evan Bernstein interviewed)
•    Anti-Defamation League: Kentucky ranks second for white supremacists targeting college campuses (WAVE-TV, NBC Louisville)

ADL IN THE NEWS

•    How High Does the Body Counter Have to Get Before Congress Shuts Down 8chan? (Forward – Oren Segal op-ed)
•    As hate crime laws expand, who to exclude as victims? (The Washington Post)
•    Here’s how New York City’s new hate crimes chief plans to tackle anti-Semitism (JTA)

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