WJC News Update – Berlin Zoo tries to track down former Jewish patrons

News updates from the World Jewish Congress website – 03 December 2013

Berlin Zoo tries to track down former Jewish patrons

More than 70 years after the Berlin Zoo forced Jewish shareholders out of its ranks, the institution is trying to come clean about its own dark chapter during the Nazi era, according to an AFP report.

Gulf states applaud Israeli president at secret meeting – World Bulletin

03 Dec 2013 Israeli President Shimon Peres last month addressed a video conference attended by 29 foreign ministers from Muslim countries, the Israeli newspaper ‘Yedioth Ahronoth’ reports. READ MORE »

American Jew imprisoned in Cuba asks for Obama’s help – Times of Israel

03 Dec 2013 On four-year anniversary of incarceration, US State Department calls on Havana to release Alan Gross „immediately, unconditionally.” READ MORE »

French firm drops ‘Cyclone’ as cleaning product name – JTA

03 Dec 2013 A French detergent maker said it will change the name of a product called ‘Cyclone’ following complaints that it is offensive to Holocaust victims. READ MORE »

Israel asks Germany to keep stolen art in Jewish hands – Arutz Sheva

03 Dec 2013 Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elkin has urged Germany to give any Jewish-owned art from Munich trove to Jewish or Israeli museums if heirs are not found. READ MORE »

Israel’s Navy on high alert for ‘reverse flotilla’ from Gaza – Israel Hayom

02 Dec 2013 Dozens of Palestinian and European activists are expected to board boats headed from Gaza toward Israeli Navy ships enforcing the blockade on Hamas. READ MORE »