News Releases 2024
Paris, 26 January 2024
This week, the Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr Shimon Samuels, commended the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), that discussed a Report by MEP Piero Fassino (Italian Democratic Party), on “Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s response” and expressed support for the latter, confirming its right to legitimate self-defence, with an overwhelming majority vote.
Trying to upset the debate, several Turkish parties, but also some radical left political figures, such as Jeremy Corbyn, submitted about 20 amendments, one-sidedly attacking Israel and its Observer Status at the PACE. For example, the Istanbul Women’s Association (IKADDER) accused the Jewish State as follows: “since 9 October 2023... Israel is committing blatant ‘war crimes’ in Gaza... indiscriminately killing civilians... imposing a ‘complete siege’, cutting off all access to food, water, electricity, fuel, and medicines, and ‘mass ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians.”
Paris, 19 January 2024
Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr Shimon Samuels, urged Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice (in southern France), to take action against the promotion in his town of a documentary film entitled “General Suleimani - Hero and Martyr of the Resistance”, by “Aissa Axe de la Resistance” (stage name of an anonymous pro-Iranian antisemite). The first screening of this Iran-backed travesty, organized by a shady ragbag of Jew-haters, is supposed to be held next 26 January, a day before the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The online poster of the event. Note the absence of venue details.
Paris, 12 January 2024
On behalf of the Wiesenthal Centre’s worldwide membership, Dr Shimon Samuels, Director for International Relations, wished success to 34-year-old Gabriel Attal, the newly nominated Prime Minister of France.
Prior to this nomination, Attal had been the French Government’s Spokesperson during the Coronavirus crisis and then, more recently, Education Minister, promoting legislation against conspicuous Islamist dress code and bullying at school, as well as championing lessons on “empathy” and “tolerance”.
Samuels noted the immediate antisemitic, homophobic and conspiracy theorist attacks against Mr. Attal on social media. He requested an early meeting to present the Wiesenthal Centre’s expertise on hate crimes and its educational programs.
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Free Kfir Bibas and all hostages held by Hamas
For further information, contact csweurope@gmail.com
Paris, 9 January 2024
Wiesenthal Centre’s Director for International Relations, Dr Shimon Samuels, expressed outrage at South Africa’s charges of “apartheid” and “genocide” against Israel, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in The Hague.
In fact, antisemitism flared in Durban (South Africa’s third largest city), at what was supposed to be the 2001 World Conference Against Racism (WCAR). Instead of addressing “xenophobia and related intolerance,” it became a massive hate-fest, singling out the Jews and calling to exterminate them and wipe Israel off the maps. This happened only two weeks before the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
As the only Jewish Member of the International Steering Committee (ISC), I attended five Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings in Europe, Africa, Latin America and at the UN in Geneva. The final PrepCom was in Iran, but I was denied a Visa.
Read more: Wiesenthal Centre Slams South Africa from Durban...
Paris, 3 January 2024
Mr Jürgen Stock
Secretary General of INTERPOL
Lyon, France
Mr Secretary General,
On behalf of the 400,000 members of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre worldwide, we call on Interpol to put the leadership and operatives of Hamas on the “Red Notice” list of wanted terrorists.