Your Daily Spiel is The CJN‘s daily roundup of trending stories in the Jewish world
CANADA
Hasbara Fellowships, a pro-Israel group, was barred from taking part in Social Justice Week at University of Ontario Institute of Technology over its ties to the State of Israel. “There was no fear or shame in actually saying straight out that because you side with Israel, we don’t want to provide you with a platform. I think it was a total lack of fear that was most jarring. What it suggests is that the discrimination is becoming more acceptable,” said the group’s director Robert Walker.
While giving an address in Montreal, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks urged that Jews acknowledge “the terrible mistake” they’ve made through history: believing anti-Semitism is “our problem and we have to fight it on our own…” Sacks said that Jews should not hesitate to call on Muslims and Christians to fight the battle. “Any society that has no room for Jews has no room for humanity itself… If it’s not safe to be a Jew on the streets of Europe, than it is not safe to be a European.”
The CJN recently sat down with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, the American Orthodox rabbi and television personality famous for his frank discussions of sex and relationships, about his new talk show, Divine Intervention. The show features the rabbi engaged in counselling sessions with individuals and couples, addressing subjects ranging from infidelity to parenting to sexless marriages.
UNITED STATES
Pro-Israel Republican Marco Rubio officially bowed out of the presidential race last night after losing his home state’s primary to Donald Trump, who now seems destined to rival Hillary Clinton in the election. Trump announced today that he won’t attend Monday’s Fox News debate because he already scheduled to appear at the annual AIPAC conference in Washington, which seems to be dividing some members of the Jewish American community.
U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Jewish judge Merrick Garland of Chicago to the Supreme Court today. If confirmed, Garland would be the fourth Jewish justice on the nation’s highest court.
ISRAEL
A 14-year-old boy from a Palestinian refugee camp was arrested after trying to enter Jerusalem without passing through checkpoints. A knife was found on his possession and he reportedly admitted to planning a terror attack. An investigation is ongoing.
Israel will raise the height of the fence it built along its border with Egypt in order to keep out African migrants, Ha’aretz reported today. Over the past year, the number of migrants to make it over the fence has increased, with 200 making it across in 2015, compared to 14 the year before.
WORLD
Germany banned a neo-Nazi group called the “White Wolves Terror Crew,” with police targeting members across the country, confiscating weapons and propaganda. The country, along with France, also made headlines today after criticizing Israel’s appropriation of land in the West Bank. “This decision sends a wrong signal at the wrong time,” the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In the U.K., British Security of Justice Michael Gove slammed BDS, saying the campaign “indulges prejudice rather than fighting it,” while a now former member of the U.K.’s Labour Party has been suspended (again) for a series of anti-Semitic tweets, including several that liken Zionists to Nazis.
New reports indicate that the EU has built unauthorized settlements and roads in parts of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) placed under Israeli jurisdiction under international law. Israeli NGO Regavim attempted to sue the EU for misconduct, which was dismissed after it claimed diplomatic immunity.
Anti-Semitic slogans and swastikas were painted on a synagogue in the French city of Verdun this week. The vandals reportedly attempted to break into the synagogue, but were unsuccessful. Two black swastikas were drawn, as well as a message that read, “Screw the Jews” and another profanity.
CULTURE
Three-time Slam Dunk contest champion and NBA free agent Nate Robinson has agreed to play for Hapoel Tel Aviv, sources say. The 31-year-old played 33 games for the Denver Nuggets and nine games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season before being released from his contract. Welcome to Israel, Nate.
In a new interview, Jerry Springer (aptly) likens the current U.S. elections to his rowdy television show. Spot-on analogy there Jerry. Spot on.
With Batman v. Superman quickly approaching, Israeli wonder woman Gal Gadot has been making the rounds on daytime and late night television, chatting with Jimmy Kimmel about her breasts and her parents’ decision to change her name, and telling Ellen DeGeneres about how she came to play the role of Diana Prince.
A New York high school is refusing to allow it students to don swastikas while they act out a rendition of the hilarious comedy, The Producers. Tablet magazine has a thoughtful and witty response.
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