WJC News Update – School assignment on Holocaust ‘inappropriate’, California education officials say

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

School assignment on Holocaust ‘inappropriate’, California education officials say

California school officials said an assignment asking students to write an essay on whether they believe the Holocaust really happened was „horribly inappropriate”.

Deborah Lipstadt: California school asks 8th graders to debate whether the Holocaust happened – Tablet

09 May 2014 The assignment materials cited Holocaust deniers, and represent a gross failure of judgment – and historical awareness. READ MORE »

Senior American diplomat faults both sides for collapse of Israeli-Palestinian talks

09 May 2014 US Middle East envoy Martin Indyk said both Israeli and Palestinian leaders had been unwilling to make the „gut-wrenching” compromises needed for peace. READ MORE »

Jerusalem church defaced with anti-Christian graffiti

09 May 2014 Vandals have defaced a church in Jerusalem just a few weeks before Pope Francis visits the Holy Land. READ MORE »

Anti-Semitism on the rise, Jewish leader warns – Ottawa Citizen

09 May 2014 Sixty-nine years after the Second World War ended in Europe, a dangerous wave of anti-Semitism was slowly emerging on that continent, says WJC CEO Robert Singer. READ MORE »

Two in five Austrians think Nazi era wasn’t all bad, survey finds

08 May 2014 Sixty-nine years after the end of World War II, nearly a third of Austrians would like to have a “strong leader” (Führer) at the helm of their country. READ MORE »