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News Releases 2018

Paris, 5 June 2018

“It is our civic duty to bring to your attention the arrival today of the Gaza solidarity boat Hurriya (Freedom in Arabic) to Brighton, until departure on 8 June,” advised Dr. Shimon Samuels, Director for International Relations of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, to Brighton and Hove Mayor Dee Simson.”

Samuels noted that “the Hurriya is one of four vessels arriving from Sweden and Norway, on their way to breach the Gaza barricade that prevents the smuggling of advanced weaponry to the Hamas terrorist movement, predominantly from Iran – irregardless of potential loss of life.”

The letter continued, “This campaign is organized by the ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition’, associated with Turkey’s IHH – accused of ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and under investigation for links with Al Qaeda and ISIS.”
<www.dw.com/en/russia-claims-turkish-ngos-are-main-supplier-of-extremists-in-syria/a-19159685>

Samuels concluded, “Madam Mayor, the organizers plan to use Brighton as a platform for their hate”... “we therefore urge you to take the necessary measures to hold the vessel, investigate the passengers and ensure that the beautiful city of Brighton – where I lived as a child – is not damaged by potential mayhem.”

“As a vector for antisemitic conspiracy theories, Holocaust revisionism, incitement to hatred and supporting a cause associated with terrorism, GoFundMe is in violation of its own Terms and Conditions... the company is urged to investigate.”

Paris, 4 June 2018

In a letter to GoFundMe.com CEO, Rob Salomon, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, revealed that “the company has been abused as a vector for antisemitic conspiracy theories, incitement to hatred, Holocaust revisionism and a cause, reportedly, associated with terrorism – all in violation of its Terms and Conditions.”

Samuels explained that, “through GoFundMe, a self-acclaimed American journalist, Cat Watters, successfully appealed for money to participate in the Gaza flotilla.”

“Investigate Belgian parole procedures and acknowledge that those who inculcate hate and violence – in mosques, schools, prison or the Internet – are accomplices to murder.”

Paris, 30 May 2018

In a letter to the Mayor of Liege, Belgium, Mr. Willy Demeyer, Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, noted that, “in April, we participated in the ECCAR (European Coalition of Cities Against Racism) held in your beautiful city of Liege... We wish to express our outrage at the assault by a radical Jihadist, screaming 'Allahu Akhbar!' while shooting three innocent victims.”

The letter requested the Mayor to “convey our Centre’s sympathy to the families and our respect for the Liege police, who lost two female officers,” continuing, “an investigation into Belgian prison procedures for releasing on parole radicalized convicts, as in the case of this murderer, Benjamin Herman.”

Samuels stressed that “only the rapid response of your counter-terror officers prevented a massacre, possibly from the high school to which he fled.”

The Centre commended Belgium for declaring itself “on red alert, hoping that – whether targetted or indiscriminate, native-born or imported – terror will be quashed.”

“This will require an acknowledgement that those who inculcate hate and violence – in mosques, schools, prison or the Internet – are accomplices to murder,” concluded Samuels.

“The whole operation is an exercise in terror with those who grant their flag, finance, glorify and applaud, as active accomplices.”

Paris, 28 May 2018

“The Porto Alegre-based World Social Forum (WSF), an antiglobalization organization hijacked for the Palestinian cause, has become the focal point for coordination of the BDS and flotilla campaigns,” stated Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, who annually monitors WSF programmes:

- “The Gaza Flotilla” concept was first raised at the WSF in 2008. The 2016 Montreal meeting featured the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (see website <jfp.freedomflotilla.org>), and a proposed “Women’s Boat to Gaza,” led by flotilla activist, David Heap;

- Though less focussed on Palestinian issues, the March 2018 El Salvador meeting, reportedly discussed a flotilla to mark the 31 May 2010, “Mavi Marmara,” as further opportunity to defame Israel;

“If unstopped, Venezuela – the spoiler – could turn UNESCO into a fragile House of Cards.”

Paris, 23 May 2018

In its role as Chair of the 120 member-states of the “Non-Aligned Movement” (NAM), Venezuela today sent out a formal communique (N° 274-2018) on “Violations and Provocations Regarding the Status of Jerusalem.”

The NAM Secretary-General, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, reaffirmed “its abiding solidarity with the Palestinian people...,” calling on “those States that have established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem to withdraw such missions from the Holy City.”