News Releases 2020
Paris, 23 August 2020
In a letter to Elie Rosen, President of the Jewish Community of Graz, Austria, Dr. Shimon Samuels, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, expressed “horror at the physical attack against him outside the Graz synagogue,” adding, “we are gratified that you escaped harm.”
The Centre noted: “You carry a great responsibility for the phoenix character of rebirth of the Graz synagogue, burned down in the Kristallnacht Reichspogrom of 1938.”
Samuels found “troubling the recidivist assaults on the synagogue, first the outer wall smeared with Palestinian activist slogans, next the smashing of windows, followed by this attack against you.”
The letter continued, “We have noted your comment that ‘all these acts of vandalism are not Nazi (Volk) antisemitism, but come from leftist extremist antisemites’.”
“You have received expressions of support from political leaders across all parties in Austria. They must also take action to prevent recurrence, by timely identification, indictment and punishment of the perpetrators,” stressed Samuels.
“The Simon Wiesenthal Centre stands in solidarity with you and your community,” concluded the Centre.
“Argentines Awake to the World Jewish Dictatorship... The Jews are the virus... Put on the mask, don't think, don't complain!”
Buenos Aires and Paris, 23 August 2020
In the Argentine city of Neuquén, Patagonia, posters are appearing that call for the nation to arise against sanitary measures ordered by the federal authorities to control the pandemic.
The message is a conspiracy theory claiming that COVID-19 does not exist, and that all precautions are generated by the Jews, to install a world Jewish dictatorship, freedom of expression and to sell a vaccine against a non-existent disease.
Read more: Wiesenthal Center Calls on Argentine Authorities...
“Oradour burns the lips: German Waffen SS massacred 462 women and children, burnt alive in a church, crucified a 7-month old baby... 180 men were shot in the legs, doused in petrol and set on fire...”
Paris, 23 August 2020
In a letter of condolences and solidarity to Oradour-sur-Glane Mayor, Philippe Lacroix, Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, shared with today’s citizens “the pain of the revisionist denial and desecration of the memorial village and museum.”
“London University SOAS ‘Hebrew Year Abroad’ was annually held at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ). It was argued that the HUJ campus is on ‘occupied territory’... Hate is not freedom of expression!”
Paris, 17 August 2020
In a letter to the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson, Simon Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, slammed London University School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Academic Board for the termination of its “Annual Hebrew Programme.”
Read more: London University School of Oriental and African...
Wiesenthal Centre claims that, “in the case of antisemitism, the contributing factor of anti-Zionism/anti-Israelism is inadequately addressed... urging adoption of the IHRA Definition.”
Paris, 15 August 2020
In letters to UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, Simon Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels – also Permanent Observer to UNESCO and active NGO participant at the European Parliament – commended this joint initiative: “The objective of this project is announced as providing 'new resources to counter COVID-19 conspiracy theories online, through critical thinking and empathy'.”
Read more: European Commission and UNESCO Joint Programme...