Can Germans finally tell Holocaust jokes around Jews? – Haaretz

News updates from the World Jewish Congress website – 09 January 2014

Judge lets anti-Semitic French comedian on stage, quashing ban

A court in the city of Nantes on Thursday lifted a ban imposed by French authorities on the controversial show of the comedian, who has made headlines with anti-Semitic slogans.

German man charged over 1944 Nazi massacre in Oradour-sur-Glane

09 Jan 2014 Prosecutors in Germany brought charges an 88-year-old former member of an SS division with 25 counts of murder over allegations that he took part in the largest civilian massacre in Nazi-occupied France.  READ MORE »

Pro-Israel columnist appointed next Canadian envoy to Israel – JTA

09 Jan 2014 Toronto lawyer Vivian Bercovici, whose newspaper columns have been critical of Palestinian leaders and the United Nations, will be Canada’s next ambassador to Israel. READ MORE »

Mandela looked to Anne Frank for inspiration while imprisoned – Times of Israel

09 Jan 2014 The passionate, compassionate leader, who ‘couldn’t stand still in his thinking,’ saw miracles in Jewish innovations. READ MORE »

US proposal boosts momentum for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks – Time

09 Jan 2014 The current round of Israeli-Palestinian talks has taken place in a climate of cynicism. But a new American proposal has given the negotiations some momentum, at least on the Israeli side.  READ MORE »

Largest Dutch pension fund divests from Israeli banks

09 Jan 2014 A Dutch pension fund has stopped investing in five Israeli banks because they are financing Israeli settlements and have branches in the West Bank. READ MORE »

Can Germans finally tell Holocaust jokes around Jews? – Haaretz

09 Jan 2014 In a recent opinion piece and a new book, German Jew Yascha Mounk spotlights how the shadow of the Holocaust has shaped modern Germany. READ MORE »

Poll: Two-thirds of Israelis believe US is committed to Israeli security in peace talks – Monsey

08 Jan 2014 A new poll released Monday shows that a majority of Jewish Israelis believe the US is committed to reaching a signed peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel.  READ MORE »

Israel to name visitor center after Canadian PM – Israel Hayom

08 Jan 2014 Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is set to visit Israel in two weeks, will receive a „king’s honor” upon his arrival, according to political sources.  READ MORE »

Israel accuses Kerry of urging EU settlement pressure – Times of Israel

08 Jan 2014 Jerusalem sources say if peace talks fail, US secretary of state will let Europeans boycott products from over the Green Line. READ MORE »