Weekly roundup of world briefs

Some Columbia classes reportedly canceled in solidarity with anti-Israel activist

By Izzy Salant

(JNS) — The Washington Free Beacon reported on Monday that at least three professors at Columbia University canceled in-person classes in solidarity with the anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, whom federal agents arrested on March 8.

“Given that the college and Columbia University has neither issued a public statement with any clear explanations as to why or how this arrest was allowed nor offered any serious reassurances for international students who might be targeted further, many professors feel it is unsafe to continue teaching as usual,” an unnamed Columbia professor wrote to students, per the Free Beacon.

“Many students are afraid to go on or even near campus,” the email added. “To ensure the safety of all, I am cancelling classes this week.” (JNS sought comment from Columbia.)

Joseph Albernaz, assistant professor of English and comparative literature, wrote to students that he is “sickened” at the news of Khalil’s detainment, per a screen capture that the Free Beacon published.

“I cannot see how I can hold a typical class right now under these current conditions, nor how you can be expected to prepare for an exam,” the email added. “So I am cancelling in-person class tomorrow and cancelling the mid-term scheduled for Thursday. (Everyone will receive an ‘A’ on the midterm.)”

Several other professors allowed students to participate in class via video feed, rather than in person, the Free Beacon reported.

Barnard College shared a letter with JNS that its provost’s office sent to faculty.

“Please keep in mind that classes and exams should take place this week in person at their scheduled times and locations,” the email directed. “Many students rely on the classroom as a place of community, and it is important that we provide that space, as well as some experience of continuity and normalcy at this unsettled moment.”

“The provost’s office will notify the faculty if there are any changes to course modality,” it stated, noting that “we recognize that many members of our community are experiencing a great deal of stress.”

“We ask that you kindly exercise understanding and provide flexibility to students, who are temporarily in need of accommodations,” it added.

Harvard ‘benefited’ from Robert Kraft foundation tools for tracking online Jew-hatred

(JNS) — Harvard University has “benefited from” tools from the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, but it wasn’t clear if the Ivy League school, whose campus has been marred with Jew-hatred, actually used the tools.

“We’ve particularly benefited from his work to combat antisemitism,” Alan Garber, the university president, said of Jewish billionaire philanthropist Robert Kraft, who founded the foundation, at an annual Shabbat dinner that the Harvard Business School hosts with Kraft, per the Harvard Crimson.

“The work of this organization is extraordinary, not only in bringing antisemitism to the attention of the world, but in actually gathering data and information to pinpoint where it is a huge issue, to pinpoint trends,” Garber added at the Feb. 28 dinner, per the Crimson, a student paper.

Kraft, 83, a businessman and owner of the New England Patriots, holds an MBA from Harvard.

“University spokesperson Jason A. Newton wrote in an emailed statement that officials ‘have met with representatives of FCAS to learn about their approach to the vital work of standing up to antisemitism and hate,’” per the Crimson. “FCAS did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the organization’s involvement with Harvard.”

In January, Harvard resolved two federal lawsuits alleging Jew-hatred on campus.

Israel begins border negotiations with Lebanon

By Shachar Kleiman

(Israel Hayom via JNS) — Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday initiated negotiations towards settling the border between the two countries. 

Representatives of the Israel Defense Forces, the United States, France and Lebanon agreed during a meeting in Naqoura in Southern Lebanon to establish three joint working groups aimed at stabilizing the region.

The working groups will focus on three main issues: The five strategic points in Southern Lebanon that remain under Israeli control following the expiration of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, discussions regarding the Blue Line and remaining territorial disputes between the two countries, and the status of Lebanese detainees held by Israel.

As part of these developments, and in coordination with the United States, five Lebanese detainees were transferred from Israel to Lebanon as a gesture of goodwill to Lebanon’s newly elected president. The detainees were transferred via the Rosh Hanikra crossing, escorted by a Red Cross convoy.

This is an edited version of a story originally published by Israel Hayom.

Israeli first lady welcomes children for special Purim celebration

(JNS) — Israel’s first lady Michal Herzog hosted children with disabilities at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Monday together with their families for a special pre-Purim celebration marking the tenth anniversary of Beit Issie Shapiro’s “Dream Costumes” initiative. 

The initiative, launched in 2015, pairs children who need wheelchairs or walkers with designers from the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) to craft unique costumes based on each child’s imagination. This year, designers from WIX also joined the project, helping create 31 personalized “dream costumes.”

“Beit Issie Shapiro creates a feeling that there are no limitations,” said Michal Herzog.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog made a surprise visit, engaging with the children and their families.

Among the 31 children receiving costumes this year was 14-year-old Avital Grunberg, who said, “Dream Costumes turns our mobility aids from an accessory we are not proud of to something we are very proud of.”

The event followed Beit Issie Shapiro’s annual Dream Costume Parade in Ra’anana, showcasing the children’s creative outfits.

Israeli foreign minister inaugurates ‘war room’ to win hearts and minds

(JNS) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar inaugurated the Foreign Ministry’s new communications room on Tuesday.

Immediately after taking office, Sa’ar instructed the ministry to establish a section dedicated to monitoring international news and media channels and creating a quick response to anti-Israeli media programs, according to a ministry statement. 

The operations room will monitor about 250 news channels, identifying false or biased news that could create a media “fire,” the statement added. 

Staff will act quickly to provide a response through Israeli and pro-Israel spokespeople, who will refute accusations and present the Israeli narrative.

The staff comprises diplomats and students who specialize in the field of international communications. 

The media room is part of Saar’s proactive approach to winning over international opinion. As part of this approach, Sa’ar, or a senior ministry official, holds weekly press conferences at the ministry with leading media outlets. 

In addition, the Foreign Ministry has established a network of pro-Israel influencers and spokespeople, who present Israel’s positions on social media and in traditional media.

In the near future, the communications room is expected to invite delegations of influencers and key figures to Israel, and develop other projects as part of the struggle for international opinion.

Israeli FM Sa’ar: Hamas not ready to disarm

(JNS) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar dismissed the idea that Hamas is prepared to lay down its arms.

“I don’t think so, and I don’t see any indication that Hamas is ready to disarm,” Sa’ar said in an interview with ABC News chief national correspondent Matt Gutman on Tuesday.

Sa’ar emphasized that if Hamas were to agree to disarm, it would significantly alter the current conflict. “That would be a huge development—one that could change the entire equation. But up until now, they have been very clear and decisive that they will not disarm.”

Instead, Sa’ar said Hamas appears to be considering an alternative approach modeled after Hezbollah in Lebanon. “They are looking at a different approach, something similar to the Hezbollah model—allowing someone else to handle the ruins they left behind in the Gaza Strip while they remain the most powerful military force there. Their goal is to continue the war against Israel,” he explained.

Sa’ar firmly rejected this possibility, insisting that it would pose an ongoing security risk for Israel. “This is totally unacceptable. For us, there is no way to guarantee our security without the complete disarmament of the Gaza Strip—Hamas, Islamic Jihad, all of them.”

The Israeli government has repeatedly defined the dismantlement of Hamas’s military capabilities as a key war goal.

Israel replaced with ‘Palestinian territories’ on Air Canada map

(JNS) — A digital in-flight map on Air Canada replaced the entire State of Israel with ‘Palestinian territories.’

The geographical error was noticed by a passenger on a recent flight from Vancouver to Montreal.

“Air Canada has been made aware of a display issue with the interactive map on the IFE systems of its B737 aircraft,” the airline said in response to an image of the erroneous flight map posted to X on Monday.

“The issue has affected other carriers using the same system and we are working with the third-party provider on a remedy,” added the statement.

Air Canada is set to resume flights to Israel in June which had been suspended due to the security situation.

Last year, a similar error on the interactive maps aboard a JetBlue flight caused a public outcry. The U.S. carrier said that the map had been provided by a third-party company and decided “after a careful review” to switch to a new vendor.

Israel offers assistance to Argentina after deadly floods

(JNS) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday offered Argentina assistance following deadly floods south of the capital Buenos Aires.

“Our thoughts are with our friend President Javier Milei and the people of Argentina and the families of the victims of the devastating flood,” Sa’ar wrote on X.  “Israel stands with Argentina during these difficult days.”

At least 16 people were killed when heavy rains pelted the Argentinian city of Bahía Blanca in a storm that started last Friday.   

Some 12 inches of rain fell in the city over several days, when the historical monthly average is about 5 inches.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also extended well-wishes from Jerusalem.

“On behalf of all Israelis, I send my heartfelt condolences to you and the families of those who tragically perished in Bahía Blanca following the horrific floods,” Netanyahu wrote on X.

Milei will be visiting Israel later this month and will address the parliament.

IDF chief of staff cancels holiday ‘shutdowns’

By David Isaac

(JNS) — IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has canceled the policy of military “shutdowns” during holidays, in which large numbers of active-duty soldiers are granted leave, Hebrew media reported on Tuesday.

Zamir made the announcement on Monday at an officers’ meeting. He said the decision applies a lesson learned from the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion, when the terror group invaded sparsely defended bases on the Gaza border and ran rampant through the southern Negev for hours.

“The IDF will be ready the entire year,” he said.

During “shutdowns,” particularly during religious holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, IDF bases operate with reduced manpower.

The Oct. 7 invasion took place on the holiday of Simchat Torah, which follows immediately after Sukkot. The IDF was “shut down” and the number of soldiers on bases was low.

Roughly a week ago, the IDF published the core findings of its investigations into the Hamas invasion.

According to Ynet, “One of the scandalous failures that the investigations revealed was the decision five years ago by the General Staff to reduce the number of fighters in the security sector by about half on weekends.”

That decision, which the Southern Command recently admitted was a “mistake,” cost the IDF dearly on Oct. 7. At the Nahal Oz base, 53 men and women were killed.

A Hamas attack booklet recovered at the base noted that only about half of the combat force would be present on weekends.

On March 5, his first day as chief of staff, Zamir set up a team headed by Maj. Gen. (res.) Sami Turgeman to re-examine the IDF’s investigations and present him with the findings.

Australian police arrest 14 members of crime ring linked to antisemitic attacks

(JNS) — Australian police announced on Tuesday that 14 members of an organized crime ring have been arrested and charged in connection with a wave of antisemitic hate crimes in the country.

The suspects have been charged with 65 offenses, including taking part in a criminal group, arson and destruction of property.

The Australian police said they no longer believe many of the gang’s activities were driven by ideology, even as the attacks directly targeted the Jewish community.

“None of the individuals we have arrested … have displayed any form of antisemitic ideology,” said NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson.

“I think these organized crime figures have taken an opportunity to play off the vulnerability of the Jewish community,” he added.

At the same time, the police commander conceded that he had no doubt that antisemitism in Australia has seen an “escalation” since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel.

Australian Jews experienced more than 2,000 anti-Jewish incidents over the past year, more than quadruple the number from the previous year, according to a report published by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) in December.

Last week, a second Australian nurse was charged for threatening to kill Israelis.

Jewish community leaders in Australia have attributed the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents to inaction or even hostility on the part of Australia’s Labor-led government.

About 120,000 Jews live in Australia, mostly in Sydney and Melbourne.

After months of attacks directed at the Jewish community, Australia‘s parliament enacted stringent laws to address hate crimes, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for terrorism offenses and the display of hate symbols.

Australian police arrest 14 members of crime ring linked to antisemitic attacks

(JNS) — Australian police announced on Tuesday that 14 members of an organized crime ring have been arrested and charged in connection with a wave of antisemitic hate crimes in the country.

The suspects have been charged with 65 offenses, including taking part in a criminal group, arson and destruction of property.

The Australian police said they no longer believe many of the gang’s activities were driven by ideology, even as the attacks directly targeted the Jewish community.

“I think these organized crime figures have taken an opportunity to play off the vulnerability of the Jewish community,” said NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson.

At the same time, the police commander conceded that he had no doubt that antisemitism in Australia has seen an “escalation” since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel.

Australian Jews experienced more than 2,000 anti-Jewish incidents over the past year, more than quadruple the number from the previous year, according to a report published by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry in December.

Last week, a second Australian nurse was charged for threatening to kill Israelis.

Jewish community leaders in Australia have attributed the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents to inaction or even hostility on the part of Australia’s Labor-led government.

About 120,000 Jews live in Australia, mostly in Sydney and Melbourne.

After months of attacks directed at the Jewish community, Australia‘s parliament enacted stringent laws to address hate crimes, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for terrorism offenses and the display of hate symbols.