Iran and the three weeks
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Iran nuclear deal was signed when it was. We find ourselves, after all, in the midst of a three-week period during which a host of calamitous events have befallen the Jewish People over the course of its history. The destruction of both Temples, the smashing of the original Sinai tablets by Moses, the final expulsion of Jews from Spain, the outbreak of World War I, the bombing of the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires – all occurred in the 21 days bookended by the 17th of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av.
Ambassador speaks out against Iran nuclear deal
In the aftermath of this week’s agreement between Iran and the P5+1 countries, we must ask one simple, yet important question: Is the world a safer or more dangerous place?
For Israelis, who unlike those in North America do not have the luxury of being a 14-hour flight away from Iran, the answer is crystal clear. Even though we are a population known for our predilection to disagree with one another, there is a reason why Israelis of all political stripes stand united in their opposition to the agreement.
Dream big and leave the past behind, Peres advises
TORONTO — “For the sake of our children – all of us – Iran should not become a nuclear power.”
So said former Israeli president and prime minister Shimon Peres at this month’s Toronto Global Forum.
The Toronto forum is held under the auspices of the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA), whose annual summits draw thousands of central bank governors, ministers, business leaders and global economic decision-makers.
Canadian-Israeli woman returns to Israel after fighting ISIS
JERUSALEM — A Canadian-Israeli Jewish woman who joined Kurdish forces in their fight against the Islamic State has returned to Israel.
Gillian Rosenberg has been out of contact for most of the last eight months. She began training with the Kurds in Iraq in November 2014.
Should Canada re-engage with Iran?
During an interview with CBC last Tuesday, Liberal party Leader Justin Trudeau stated his intention to cancel the bombing missions in Iraq and Syria that currently constitute Canada’s main contribution in the war against the Islamic State (ISIS).
“This government has failed miserably to demonstrate why the best mission for Canada is to participate in a bombing mission,” he explained, pledging instead to focus on training Iraqi forces.
Liberal party defends Trudeau statements on Iran
Justin Trudeau would “hope to re-open [Canada’s] mission in Iran,” but doing so would be conditional on several factors, a spokesperson for the Liberal leader told The CJN.
“We have been clear that this will depend on many factors, including ongoing human rights abuses and the outcome of negotiations between the P5+1 nations and Iran,” said Kate Purchase, Trudeau’s director of communications.
Tories have Israel’s back, Joe Oliver tells shul audience
TORONTO — Though Canada’s unique friendship with Israel and the former’s economic situation are separate issues, both are topics federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver feels very passionate about, he told a crowd at Adath Israel Congregation.
The final guest in the synagogue’s 2014-15 speaker series, Oliver addressed an audience of about 140 people at an early-morning breakfast session June 7.
FEATURE: Israel accelerates China engagement
As Iran’s nuclear talks with the UN and Israel’s campaign to stop it dominated the headlines, news of the two countries joining others to help China found a new multilateral bank largely escaped scrutiny. After the March 31 deadline, 57 countries had joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to fund proposed multi-billion-dollar projects in Asia and the Middle East.
CFL star lineman apologizes for offensive Shoah tweets
MONTREAL — After reaching out to B’nai Brith Canada, which brought the matter to light earlier this week, Montreal Alouettes’ star defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell has apologized for posting a link to a video that denies the Holocaust, as well as other offensive content on his Twitter account.
Alouette player fined for Shoah denial and other offensive tweets
MONTREAL — Montreal Alouettes player Khalif Mitchell has been fined by both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the team for posting material that denies the Holocaust, as well as other offensive content, on his Twitter account.
The team also issued an apology.
In response to a complaint from B’nai Brith Canada, the Alouettes announced on May 14 that the club has fined Mitchell the maximum amount allowable under CFL rules for violating the team’s social media policy. The amount of either fine was not disclosed.
