Your Daily Spiel is The CJN‘s daily roundup of trending stories in the Jewish world
CANADA
Expect heightened security at Union Station in Toronto following terror attacks in Brussels that left at least 31 dead, and nearly 200 injured. Metrolinx, the provincial transportation agency, said they have sent most of their security guards to the downtown Toronto train hub as a “precaution.”
Toronto mayor, icon, politician and local celebrity Rob Ford has died after an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 46.
According to a new report issued by Toronto police, Jews are the most targeted group in hate crimes across the GTA. Jews make up 3.8 per cent of the city’s population, as measured by religious affiliation, yet in 2015 were victimized in nearly 24 per cent of the religiously motivated incidents
The first-ever Israeli biotech company to list on the TSX-Venture Exchange rang the opening bell at the Toronto Exchange Tower yesterday, with some help from Israel Consul General DJ Schneeweiss. Vaxil (VXL) is an Israeli biotech company focused on cancer immunotherapy.
UNITED STATES
Donald Trump gave his address to the AIPAC conference yesterday (while a small group of rabbis prayed rather than attend), and “believe me” it was a sight to be seen. The Times of Israel’s David Horowitz commented on the “absurdity” of his claims (he backtracked on his stance on Iran, and didn’t mention his “neutral” stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict), while Tablet’s Yair Rosenberg put it all out in the headline: “Trump’s transformation at AIPAC should scare you.” Watch his speech below:
Meanwhile, in a speech released by Senator Bernie Sanders, the Jewish presidential candidate touted his deep connection to Israel (“fairly certain I am the only US presidential candidate to have ever lived on a kibbutz”) before announcing his support for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. While condemning terror attacks against Israelis, he also spoke out against Israel’s recent expropriation of land in the West Bank, and accused Israel of “disproportionate responses to being attacked,” adding that “any attack on Israel is unacceptable.”
Today, the AIPAC conference continued with an address from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke via live video feed. “In all these cases the terrorists have no resolvable differences,” Netanyahu said, likening today’s Brussels attacks to attacks in Israel.
Also at AIPAC, a group of protesters allegedly verbally assaulted attendees with anti-Semitic slogans.
Disturbing scene form anti-Israel protestors outside #AIPAC2016: assaulting conference attendees and screaming obscenities and antisemitic phrases like “Burn in hell you zionist scum.” The conference has 18,000 attendees from all different backgrounds and faiths, yet these anti-Israel groups have no respect for views different from their own, even to the point of violence.By Eddie Dvir
Posted by StandWithUs on Monday, March 21, 2016
ISRAEL
According to a Palestinian poll released yesterday, a majority of West Bank Palestinians now support a two-state solution. Furthermore, support for the knife attacks is waning – three months ago, 57 per cent of Palestinians in the West Bank said they supported attacks. According to yesterday’s poll, that figure now stands at 44 per cent.
The 2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject was unveiled this week, and Israeli universities ranked seven times in the top 100, a drop from 11 in 2015. Click here for a more in-depth look.
An Israeli startup is reportedly able to keep vegetables and fruit fresh for three times longer than usual, thanks to a powder composed of essential oils. Phresh is currently raising funds in order to perfect its solution to rotten produce. Visit its kickstarter campaign here.
Purim starts tomorrow, and in Israel, kids have already been celebrating. Click here for a glimpse of the country’s early celebrations, through pictures.
WORLD
Following the attacks that shook Brussels today, leaving at least 34 dead, Jewish schools throughout the country went under lockdown. Purim celebrations throughout the country have been cancelled out of respect for the victims’ families.
On social media, ISIS supporters celebrated the attacks. According to the Jerusalem Post, the hashtag “Brussels is on fire” was created to show solidarity with the terrorists, while other users tweeted “Allahu Akbar.”
CULTURE
Mensch and hilarious actor Amy Schumer left a $1,000 tip on a $70 bill, declaring solidarity with bartenders and servers. “I’ve been there,” Schumer told her servers, who are also actors.
Jewish actor Harrison Ford opened up about playing Han Solo in the latest Star Wars film, saying he was shocked that the film’s spoiler was able to stay a secret. Out of respect for those who still haven’t seen it, I won’t list what that secret is…
Rachel Bloom, co-creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, visited Israel last week. In a new interview, she talks about her Judaism, her support for Israel, and how, for her, the two go hand in hand.
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