Israeli teens increasingly targeted by online anti-Semitism, poll says
(JNS.org) Nearly 83 percent of Jewish Israeli teenagers encounter online anti-Semitism, and more than 51 percent are targeted due to their nationality, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). In the same poll last year, 69 percent of Israeli teens reported being exposed to Web anti-Semitism, including 36 percent due to nationalistic reasons.
The poll of 500 Jewish teens from ages 15-18 encompassed hate symbols, websites, and messages found on social media and in videos and music.
France passes symbolic resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood
(JNS.org) The French National Assembly on Tuesday voted 339-151 in favor of urging its government to recognize a Palestinian state. The symbolic resolution, proposed by the ruling Socialists and backed by other left-wing parties, asked the government to “use the recognition of a Palestinian state with the aim of resolving the conflict definitively.” Similar measures have recently been passed in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland, while Sweden formally recognized Palestinian statehood in October.
Ukrainian Jewish leader downplays Jewish MP’s rise to parliament speaker
(JNS.org) The Ukrainian parliament’s recent confirmation of a Jewish member as speaker will not have major impact on the country’s Jewish community because in Ukraine, “every person can get any position independent of his ethnic origin,” said Eduard Dolinsky, executive director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee. Dolinsky told the Jerusalem Post that “for the Jewish community, [Groysman’s appointment is] not much of a difference.” He also said Groysman might not have “any connection to the Jewish community.”
Report: Hezbollah intends maritime siege in next war
(JNS.org) Hezbollah has a stock of advanced sea-to-sea missiles with which it intends to impose a maritime siege on Israel if the two sides enter another war, Lebanese media outlets reported on Monday. According to the reports, Hezbollah apparently has an arsenal of sophisticated Russian-made Yakhont sea-to-sea missiles, which were recently transferred from Russia to Syria as part of an arms deal between the two countries. Moscow has also allegedly transferred more advanced S-300 anti-aircraft batteries to Syria. It is possible that some of these have been transferred to Hezbollah.
Pope Francis, Church Leaders deplore ‘terrible situation’ for Mideast Christians
(JNS.org) In a rare display of Christian unity, Pope Francis and the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew issued a joint plea deploring the “terrible situation” facing Middle East Christians.
“Many of our brothers and sisters are being persecuted and have been forced violently from their homes. It even seems that the value of human life has been lost, that the human person no longer matters and may be sacrificed to other interests. And, tragically, all this is met by the indifference of many,” the joint statement added. On Sunday, Pope Francis wrapped up his historic three-day visit to Turkey, where he met with various Turkish leaders and toured Christian and Muslim holy sites.
Israel names successor to IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz
Israel announced that Maj. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot will succeed Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) next February. Eizenkot, the IDF’s current deputy chief of staff, began his military service in the Golani Brigade, which he would eventually lead from 1997-1998. He later served as military secretary to the prime minister and defense minister, head of the IDF’s Judea and Samaria Brigade, head of the Operations Directorate, and General Officer Commanding the Northern Command.
First woman to command vessel in Israeli navy
For the first time, a woman was appointed as a vessel commander in the Israeli Navy. Captain Or Cohen, who is currently a navigation officer on a missile boat, will become the deputy chief of a patrol boat. During this summer’s war between Israel and Hamas, Cohen participated in a mission that intercepted a ship smuggling weapons from Iran to Gaza. “As an IDF officer, I believe in the integration of women into meaningful combat roles, and I’m glad that I’ve been given the chance to have influence,” Cohen said, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
