Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a controversial statement when asked that why would Russia need to denazify Ukraine especially when its President is Jewish.

Russia-Israel tensions: Outrage over Lavrov's claim that Hitler was part Jewish

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Adolf Hitler had Jewish blood but this is not a new conspiracy theory, in fact it has been doing the rounds for years now.

Adolf Hitler's ancestry in focus, Russia says Hitler had Jewish roots

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins, enraging the government of Israel. Where did this conspiracy theory come from? Why is Russia antagonising 'neutral' Israel? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Russia claims Hitler was part-Jewish

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday announced a plan costing more than USD 300 million to double Jewish Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights. This territory was captured by Israel from Syria more than 40 years ago.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who held his weekly cabinet meeting at the Mevo Hama community in the Golan on Sunday, vowed this was the "moment" to boost the number of Jewish Israelis living in the territory.

"Our goal is to double the population in the Golan," the right-wing Bennett said as he presented his one billion shekel ($317 million) programme to improve housing, transportation, tourism and medical facilities in the area.

Israel captured Golan Heights from Syria during Six-Day War in 1967.&nbsp;

Around 25,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights, along with some 23,000 Druze, who remained on the land after it was seized by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel annexed the territory on December 14, 1981, in a move not recognised by most of the international community.

Former US president Donald Trump, widely viewed as pro-Israeli, granted US recognition to Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in 2019.

"It goes without saying that the Golan Heights is Israeli," Bennett said Sunday, noting the Trump recognition and what he described as the "important" fact that President Joe Biden's administration had "made it clear that there is no change in policy".

Shortly after the Biden administration took office in January, Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested there were legal questions surrounding Trump's move, which Syria condemned as a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty.

But Blinken indicated there was no thought of reversing course, especially amid the ongoing Syrian civil war.

Israel and Syria, which are still technically at war, are separated by a de facto border at the Golan Heights.

Bennett, who leads an ideologically disparate eight-party coalition, needs cabinet approval before his Golan plan can move forward.

Sunday's meeting was temporarily delayed after the premier's 14-year-old daughter tested positive for the coronavirus, sending Bennett into isolation, but a vote on the plan was still expected.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday announced a plan costing more than USD 300 million to double Jewish Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights. This territory was captured by Israel from Syria more than 40 years ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday announced a plan costing more than USD 300 million to double Jewish Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights. This territory was captured by Israel from Syria more than 40 years ago. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who held his weekly cabinet meeting at the Mevo Hama community in the Golan on Sunday, vowed this was the "moment" to boost the number of Jewish Israelis living in the territory. "Our goal is to double the population in the Golan," the right-wing Bennett said as he presented his one billion shekel ($317 million) programme to improve housing, transportation, tourism and medical facilities in the area. Israel captured Golan Heights from Syria during Six-Day War in 1967. Around 25,000 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights, along with some 23,000 Druze, who remained on the land after it was seized by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel annexed the territory on December 14, 1981, in a move not recognised by most of the international community. Former US president Donald Trump, widely viewed as pro-Israeli, granted US recognition to Israeli sovereignty over the Golan in 2019. "It goes without saying that the Golan Heights is Israeli," Bennett said Sunday, noting the Trump recognition and what he described as the "important" fact that President Joe Biden's administration had "made it clear that there is no change in policy". Shortly after the Biden administration took office in January, Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested there were legal questions surrounding Trump's move, which Syria condemned as a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty. But Blinken indicated there was no thought of reversing course, especially amid the ongoing Syrian civil war. Israel and Syria, which are still technically at war, are separated by a de facto border at the Golan Heights. Bennett, who leads an ideologically disparate eight-party coalition, needs cabinet approval before his Golan plan can move forward. Sunday's meeting was temporarily delayed after the premier's 14-year-old daughter tested positive for the coronavirus, sending Bennett into isolation, but a vote on the plan was still expected. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel to double settlers in Golan Heights

Israel has announced plans to build more residences for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank. Israel land authority has published tenders for about 1,300 new settlement homes in the West Bank.

Israel to build more residences for Jewish settlers in West Bank

Amid the turmoil and exodus in Afghanistan, the last known Jewish man in the country left on Friday. This marks another grim landmark for the country that once was home to sizeable Jew population.

Zebulon Simentov is in early 60s and has lived in Kabul for decades. He maintained the only Jewish synagogue in the country. Simentov lived in Afghanistan for decades and has seen political turmoil, regime changes. He was in Afghanistan during Taliban's previous rule in late 90s.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-use-whips-and-sticks-on-afghan-women-protesting-the-all-male-government-411861">Taliban use whips and sticks on Afghan women protesting the all-male government</a>

An Israeli American businessman named Moti Kahana was quoted by CNN as he said Simentov and 30 others travelled by van and went to "a neighbouring country" travelling through Afghanistan's mountainous regions. As per the news report, Kahana's organisation arranged for Simentov's escape. On their way out of the country, Simentov and those travelling with him had to negotiate several Taliban checkpoints.

There was a sizeable Jewish community in Afghanistan of about 40,000 people till the mid 19th century. Due to various reasons the numbers dwindled. Most of the Jews went to Israel after the country was formed in 1948.

Simentov reportedly had refused to leave Afghanistan in the beginning. However, his neighbouring convinced him to make an escape as they told him that he may become a target of, if not Taliban, then ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K).

Amid the turmoil and exodus in Afghanistan, the last known Jewish man in the country left on Friday. This marks another grim landmark for the country that once was home to sizeable Jew population.

Amid the turmoil and exodus in Afghanistan, the last known Jewish man in the country left on Friday. This marks another grim landmark for the country that once was home to sizeable Jew population. Zebulon Simentov is in early 60s and has lived in Kabul for decades. He maintained the only Jewish synagogue in the country. Simentov lived in Afghanistan for decades and has seen political turmoil, regime changes. He was in Afghanistan during Taliban's previous rule in late 90s. Also Read | Taliban use whips and sticks on Afghan women protesting the all-male government An Israeli American businessman named Moti Kahana was quoted by CNN as he said Simentov and 30 others travelled by van and went to "a neighbouring country" travelling through Afghanistan's mountainous regions. As per the news report, Kahana's organisation arranged for Simentov's escape. On their way out of the country, Simentov and those travelling with him had to negotiate several Taliban checkpoints. There was a sizeable Jewish community in Afghanistan of about 40,000 people till the mid 19th century. Due to various reasons the numbers dwindled. Most of the Jews went to Israel after the country was formed in 1948. Simentov reportedly had refused to leave Afghanistan in the beginning. However, his neighbouring convinced him to make an escape as they told him that he may become a target of, if not Taliban, then ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K).

Last Jewish man in Afghanistan leaves country

Brief clashes were reported between Israeli Police and Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque on Sunday. No serious injuries were reported and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ordered the Police to continue allowing jews to ascend temple mount on the first day of Tisha B'Av.

Clashes spark at Jerusalem's holy site after Palestinians opposed Jewish visits

After barely 12 hours of the formation, Israel’s new government gave the green light for a controversial march by Jewish nationalists through annexed east Jerusalem, despite concerns over renewed tensions with the Palestinians.

New Israeli govt gives go-ahead to controversial Jerusalem flag march

The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned recent comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the Jewish people as anti-Semitic, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.&nbsp;

"We urge President Erdogan and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary remarks, which could incite further violence," Price said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Anti-Semitic language has no place anywhere," he said. &nbsp;

Price did not specify which Erdogan remarks the United States considered anti-Semitic. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.&nbsp;

Erdogan, a vocal defender of the Palestinians, has criticised Israel for conducting air strikes on Gaza and called it a 'terror state' after Israeli police fired rubber bullets at rock-throwing Palestinians in Jerusalem.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned recent comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the Jewish people as anti-Semitic, State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

The United States on Tuesday strongly condemned recent comments by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the Jewish people as anti-Semitic, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. "We urge President Erdogan and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary remarks, which could incite further violence," Price said in a statement. "Anti-Semitic language has no place anywhere," he said. Price did not specify which Erdogan remarks the United States considered anti-Semitic. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for clarification. Erdogan, a vocal defender of the Palestinians, has criticised Israel for conducting air strikes on Gaza and called it a 'terror state' after Israeli police fired rubber bullets at rock-throwing Palestinians in Jerusalem. (With inputs from agencies)

US condemns Erdogan comments on Jewish people as anti-Semitic 

A pop-up book style synagogue to commemorate Babyn Yar massacre victims

Twenty-two Palestinians were wounded in overnight clashes with Israeli police in annexed east Jerusalem, as tensions flare over a controversial land rights case. Police confirmed 15 arrests in the latest unrest to rock the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood near Jerusalem's walled Old City, where land disputes between Palestinians and Jewish settlers have fuelled hostility for years.

Jerusalem: 22 Palestinians wounded & 15 arrested during clashes over land rights

Israel observes day of mourning for 45 people crushed to death at Jewish religious festival

German investigators said Monday they were probing an attack on a Jewish student outside a synagogue in Hamburg as attempted murder with anti-Semitic intent, a case that has sparked widespread condemnation.

The 26-year-old student was badly injured on Sunday by a man who repeatedly struck him on the head&nbsp;with a shovel outside the synagogue where the Jewish community was celebrating Sukkot, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles.

The assault came a year after two people were shot dead by an extremist who tried and failed to storm a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle.

Jewish leaders and top politicians led condemnation of the latest attack, with Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht calling it a "disgrace" for Germany.

The suspect, 29, was arrested by police officers who were assigned to protect the synagogue.

Dressed in combat fatigues, he had a piece of paper with a hand-drawn swastika in his pocket, said police and prosecutors in a statement.

"The current assessment of the situation suggests that this is an anti-Semitic motivated attack," they said, adding that investigators are treating the case as "attempted murder with grievous bodily harm".

- 'Intolerance' -

"Once again, we have to witness a terrible act of violence against a Jewish citizen," said Lambrecht.

"The hatred against Jews is a disgrace for our country," she said, stressing that Germany has to stand up more firmly against victims of hate and violence.

Ronald Lauder, leader of the World Jewish Congress, also demanded action.&nbsp;

The attacker "must be held responsible as must all who engage in any expressions of hate or intolerance," he said.

Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said: "No one in the country should be blase about a situation where Jews here are repeatedly the target of hate."

He added that the case shows that security measures may have to be improved.

Last year's attack on the synagogue in Halle came on October 9 during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. A neo-Nazi suspect is currently on trial for the crime.

Stephan Balliet, 28, who stands accused over the Halle attack had told the court his assault on the synagogue was "not a mistake".

Only last month, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of her shame over rising anti-Semitism in Germany, even as the Jewish community warned that coronavirus conspiracy theories were being used to stir up anti-Jewish hatred.

Anti-Semitic crimes have increased steadily in Germany in recent years with 2,032 offences recorded in 2019, up 13 percent on the previous year.

The uptick in hate against the Jewish community has sparked a round of soul-searching in Germany, which has in the last decades placed a huge emphasis on atoning for the murder of six million European Jews by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime during World War II.

But the arrival in parliament of the far-right AfD, whose leaders openly question Germany's culture of atonement over World War II atrocities, has also contributed to the change in atmosphere.

The arrival of more than a million asylum seekers, many from Muslim countries such as Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq have also partly played a role in growing hostility against Jews.

In an assault that sparked revulsion in Germany, a Syrian migrant was charged for lashing out with his belt in April 2018 at an Israeli man wearing a Jewish kippa skullcap.

Germany is now home to the third-largest Jewish population in western Europe, largely due to an influx of around&nbsp;200,000&nbsp;Jews following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

German investigators said Monday they were probing an attack on a Jewish student outside a synagogue in Hamburg as attempted murder with anti-Semitic intent, a case that has sparked widespread condemnation.

German investigators said Monday they were probing an attack on a Jewish student outside a synagogue in Hamburg as attempted murder with anti-Semitic intent, a case that has sparked widespread condemnation. The 26-year-old student was badly injured on Sunday by a man who repeatedly struck him on the head with a shovel outside the synagogue where the Jewish community was celebrating Sukkot, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles. The assault came a year after two people were shot dead by an extremist who tried and failed to storm a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle. Jewish leaders and top politicians led condemnation of the latest attack, with Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht calling it a "disgrace" for Germany. The suspect, 29, was arrested by police officers who were assigned to protect the synagogue. Dressed in combat fatigues, he had a piece of paper with a hand-drawn swastika in his pocket, said police and prosecutors in a statement. "The current assessment of the situation suggests that this is an anti-Semitic motivated attack," they said, adding that investigators are treating the case as "attempted murder with grievous bodily harm". - 'Intolerance' - "Once again, we have to witness a terrible act of violence against a Jewish citizen," said Lambrecht. "The hatred against Jews is a disgrace for our country," she said, stressing that Germany has to stand up more firmly against victims of hate and violence. Ronald Lauder, leader of the World Jewish Congress, also demanded action. The attacker "must be held responsible as must all who engage in any expressions of hate or intolerance," he said. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said: "No one in the country should be blase about a situation where Jews here are repeatedly the target of hate." He added that the case shows that security measures may have to be improved. Last year's attack on the synagogue in Halle came on October 9 during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. A neo-Nazi suspect is currently on trial for the crime. Stephan Balliet, 28, who stands accused over the Halle attack had told the court his assault on the synagogue was "not a mistake". Only last month, Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of her shame over rising anti-Semitism in Germany, even as the Jewish community warned that coronavirus conspiracy theories were being used to stir up anti-Jewish hatred. Anti-Semitic crimes have increased steadily in Germany in recent years with 2,032 offences recorded in 2019, up 13 percent on the previous year. The uptick in hate against the Jewish community has sparked a round of soul-searching in Germany, which has in the last decades placed a huge emphasis on atoning for the murder of six million European Jews by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime during World War II. But the arrival in parliament of the far-right AfD, whose leaders openly question Germany's culture of atonement over World War II atrocities, has also contributed to the change in atmosphere. The arrival of more than a million asylum seekers, many from Muslim countries such as Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq have also partly played a role in growing hostility against Jews. In an assault that sparked revulsion in Germany, a Syrian migrant was charged for lashing out with his belt in April 2018 at an Israeli man wearing a Jewish kippa skullcap. Germany is now home to the third-largest Jewish population in western Europe, largely due to an influx of around 200,000 Jews following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

German police probing 'attempted murder' of Jewish student

An Israeli minister played down on Tuesday the likelihood of major moves to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on July 1, the planned starting point for cabinet debate on the issue.

Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said Israel still did not have the green light it seeks from Washington to begin extending its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, territory Palestinians seek for a state.

Palestinian leaders, the United Nations, European powers and Arab countries have all denounced any annexation of land that Israeli forces captured in a 1967 war.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/israel-leaders-netanyahu-and-gantz-at-odds-over-west-bank-annexation-plan-309532" hreflang="en">Israel leaders Netanyahu and Gantz at odds over West Bank annexation plan</a>

"Whoever painted a picture of everything happening in one day on July 1, did so at their own risk," Elkin, minister of higher education, told Army Radio when asked what would happen on Wednesday. "From tomorrow, the clock will start ticking."

No cabinet session for Wednesday has been announced.

US&nbsp;officials are in Israel as part of the White House's efforts to win consensus within its government for annexation as envisioned in an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan announced by President Donald Trump in January.

The proposal calls for Israeli sovereignty over about 30% of the West Bank - land on which Israel has built settlements for decades - as well as the creation of a Palestinian state under strict conditions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/israels-cabinet-meets-to-finalise-annexation-plans-for-occupied-west-bank-309153" hreflang="en">Israel's cabinet meets to finalise annexation plans for occupied West Bank</a>

Palestinians say the blueprint would make statehood, in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, unviable, and most world powers view Israel's settlements on occupied land as illegal. Netanyahu says the Jewish people have a legal, historic and moral claim to the West Bank, the biblical Judea and Samaria.

Netanyahu and his main coalition government partner, Defence Minister Benny Gantz, are at odds over annexation, which the right-wing prime minister has promoted.

In an interview with the YNet news site on Tuesday, Gantz repeated his call for Israel to try to enlist Palestinian and international support for the Trump plan before proceeding with a unilateral annexation move.

An Israeli minister played down on Tuesday the likelihood of major moves to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on July 1, the planned starting point for cabinet debate on the issue.

An Israeli minister played down on Tuesday the likelihood of major moves to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank on July 1, the planned starting point for cabinet debate on the issue. Zeev Elkin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, said Israel still did not have the green light it seeks from Washington to begin extending its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank, territory Palestinians seek for a state. Palestinian leaders, the United Nations, European powers and Arab countries have all denounced any annexation of land that Israeli forces captured in a 1967 war. Also read: Israel leaders Netanyahu and Gantz at odds over West Bank annexation plan "Whoever painted a picture of everything happening in one day on July 1, did so at their own risk," Elkin, minister of higher education, told Army Radio when asked what would happen on Wednesday. "From tomorrow, the clock will start ticking." No cabinet session for Wednesday has been announced. US officials are in Israel as part of the White House's efforts to win consensus within its government for annexation as envisioned in an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan announced by President Donald Trump in January. The proposal calls for Israeli sovereignty over about 30% of the West Bank - land on which Israel has built settlements for decades - as well as the creation of a Palestinian state under strict conditions. Also read: Israel's cabinet meets to finalise annexation plans for occupied West Bank Palestinians say the blueprint would make statehood, in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, unviable, and most world powers view Israel's settlements on occupied land as illegal. Netanyahu says the Jewish people have a legal, historic and moral claim to the West Bank, the biblical Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu and his main coalition government partner, Defence Minister Benny Gantz, are at odds over annexation, which the right-wing prime minister has promoted. In an interview with the YNet news site on Tuesday, Gantz repeated his call for Israel to try to enlist Palestinian and international support for the Trump plan before proceeding with a unilateral annexation move.

Israeli minister signals major West Bank annexation move not imminent

Under Hitler, Germany tried to wipe out the entire Jewish Community in Europe. At least six million people were killed in this genocide. WION's Palki Sharma gets you the story of the Holocaust.

Gravitas: The story of the Holocaust

The United States on Monday effectively backed Israel's right to build Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank by abandoning its four-decade-old position. Israel praised a U.S. decision on Monday to soften its position on Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that upset the Palestinians who said it contradicts international law.

U.S. backs Israel on settlements, Palestinians outraged as Israel welcomes U.S. move

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic.

The uproar began last week when Rashida Tlaib, a freshman congresswoman in the House of Representatives whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, said in an interview that she finds "a kind of calming feeling," in the fact that Palestinians were involved in creating "a safe haven for Jews."

"There's a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors -- Palestinians -- who lost their land and some lost their lives," she told Yahoo's "Skullduggery" podcast on Friday.

"All of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she said, adding, "I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that."

Trump laid into Tlaib, saying the congresswoman "obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?"

Top House Republican Liz Cheney also seized on the remarks, saying they represented "vile anti-Semitism" and called on the House's Democratic leadership to take action.

"This must cross the line, even for them," she tweeted.

Tlaib said on Twitter her remarks were taken out of context and that "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably."

She was backed up by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who said "Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear (Tlaib) &amp; misrepresent her comments are outrageous," adding that Trump and Republicans needed to apologise.

Yair Rosenberg, a writer for the online Jewish magazine Tablet, said Tlaib's comments were historically inaccurate but not anti-Semitic.&nbsp;

"Tlaib said she got a 'calming feeling' NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical," he wrote on Twitter, "but it isn't anti-Semitic."

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Rashida Tlaib said she got a "calming feeling" NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical (the local Arabs rioted &amp; got the British to halt Jewish immigration, and their Mufti was Hitler's ally), but it isn't anti-Semitic.
— (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yair_Rosenberg/status/1127958445599199233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Bend The Arc, a progressive Jewish association, also defended the congresswoman.

"The attacks on Rashida Tlaib are vile &amp; baseless. She did not minimize the tragedy of the Holocaust," the group tweeted. "Shame on GOP leadership for weaponizing antisemitism &amp; Jewish trauma to attack progressive leaders of colour and push Islamophobia."

Similar accusations of anti-Semitism were levelled against Ilhan Omar, who after Tlaib is the only other Muslim in Congress after she said earlier this year that American support for Israel was driven by money from a pro-Israel lobbying group.

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic.

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic. The uproar began last week when Rashida Tlaib, a freshman congresswoman in the House of Representatives whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, said in an interview that she finds "a kind of calming feeling," in the fact that Palestinians were involved in creating "a safe haven for Jews." "There's a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors -- Palestinians -- who lost their land and some lost their lives," she told Yahoo's "Skullduggery" podcast on Friday. "All of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she said, adding, "I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that." Trump laid into Tlaib, saying the congresswoman "obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?" Top House Republican Liz Cheney also seized on the remarks, saying they represented "vile anti-Semitism" and called on the House's Democratic leadership to take action. "This must cross the line, even for them," she tweeted. Tlaib said on Twitter her remarks were taken out of context and that "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably." She was backed up by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who said "Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear (Tlaib) & misrepresent her comments are outrageous," adding that Trump and Republicans needed to apologise. Yair Rosenberg, a writer for the online Jewish magazine Tablet, said Tlaib's comments were historically inaccurate but not anti-Semitic. "Tlaib said she got a 'calming feeling' NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical," he wrote on Twitter, "but it isn't anti-Semitic." Rashida Tlaib said she got a "calming feeling" NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical (the local Arabs rioted & got the British to halt Jewish immigration, and their Mufti was Hitler's ally), but it isn't anti-Semitic. — (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) May 13, 2019 × Bend The Arc, a progressive Jewish association, also defended the congresswoman. "The attacks on Rashida Tlaib are vile & baseless. She did not minimize the tragedy of the Holocaust," the group tweeted. "Shame on GOP leadership for weaponizing antisemitism & Jewish trauma to attack progressive leaders of colour and push Islamophobia." Similar accusations of anti-Semitism were levelled against Ilhan Omar, who after Tlaib is the only other Muslim in Congress after she said earlier this year that American support for Israel was driven by money from a pro-Israel lobbying group.

Uproar follows US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's Holocaust remarks

Comedian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/observers-hail-ukraines-competitive-vote-212624">Volodymyr Zelensky</a>'s election will see Ukraine led for the first time by a president of Jewish descent, in a landmark for a country with a long history of anti-Semitism.&nbsp;

The 41-year-old actor won a landslide victory against incumbent Petro Poroshenko on Sunday.&nbsp;

His triumph has been hailed as a sign of tolerance in the ex-Soviet country accused by some of having a lax attitude towards neo-Nazi groups.&nbsp;

Ukraine already has a Jewish prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, also 41, and who is to remain in office pending parliamentary elections scheduled for October.

The chief Rabbi of Ukraine and Kiev, Moshe Reuvan Azman called Zelenky's win "a miracle."&nbsp;

"This says a lot about the maturity of the Ukrainian people," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"Relations between Ukrainians and Jews have not always been easy," he noted. &nbsp;

"Ukraine is the only country in the world, aside from Israel, where the president and prime minister are Jewish," Eduard Dolinsky, a Jewish community leader, wrote on Facebook.

Zelensky has said he considers religion to be a private affair and has christened his children in the Orthodox tradition, according to Ukrainian media.&nbsp;

While the election campaign was fierce and saw opponents exchange various insults, Zelensky's ancestry was not used as a motive for attacks.

This was far from trivial in a country where during the Soviet period, as in the rest of the USSR, being Jewish was not considered a matter of faith, but one of nationality and marked as such on identity papers.&nbsp;

Pogroms

The first Jewish massacres in what is now Ukraine date back to the 17th century, during an uprising against Polish rule led by Cossack military leader Bohdan Khmelnytsky, when thousands of Jews were killed.&nbsp;

Thousands more were killed during another revolt against the Poles in the 18th century.&nbsp;

Between 1917 and 1921, a period of fierce fighting between Russia's White and Bolshevik armies and Ukrainian nationalist armies was marked by a wave of pogroms.&nbsp;

Ukraine's Jews were almost wiped out during the Holocaust, in which some Ukrainians collaborated with Nazi authorities.

In Babi Yar, a ravine on the outskirts of Kiev, 34,000 Jews were slaughtered in just two days in one of the worst single massacres of the Holocaust.&nbsp;

Other Ukrainians risked their lives to help Jews during the Nazi occupation, however.&nbsp;

More than 2,600 Ukrainians have been recognised as "Righteous Among the Nations" by the Yad Vashem memorial centre in Jerusalem for saving Jews during World War Two.

Now independent, Ukraine has once again been singled out for alleged anti-Semitism.&nbsp;

Far-right groups played an active role on the barricades of the 2014 pro-Western Maidan revolution.&nbsp;

The uprising ousted a pro-Russia president and was followed by Moscow's annexation of Kiev's Crimea peninsula and war with separatists in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

Russia has denounced the pro-Western authorities in Ukraine as a "neo-Nazi" and "fascist" regime.&nbsp;

Rabbi Moshe Reuvan Azman said this is far from the case.

"The level of anti-Semitism in Ukraine is lower than in Russia and in Europe, I see it clearly," he said.&nbsp;

According to a study published last year by the American Pew Research Center, five per cent of Ukrainian adults does not want to accept Jews as fellow citizens.

This is a much lower rate than its neighbours, as the figure is at 14 per cent in Russia, 18 per cent in Poland and 22 per cent in Romania.&nbsp;

An article in the Israeli daily Haaretz said Zelensky's victory did not mean the end of anti-Semitism in Ukraine but represented "attempts to articulate a new sense of Ukrainian nationhood, one that can be more at peace with its troubled past."

Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky's election will see Ukraine led for the first time by a president of Jewish descent, in a landmark for a country with a long history of anti-Semitism.

Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky's election will see Ukraine led for the first time by a president of Jewish descent, in a landmark for a country with a long history of anti-Semitism. The 41-year-old actor won a landslide victory against incumbent Petro Poroshenko on Sunday. His triumph has been hailed as a sign of tolerance in the ex-Soviet country accused by some of having a lax attitude towards neo-Nazi groups. Ukraine already has a Jewish prime minister, Volodymyr Groysman, also 41, and who is to remain in office pending parliamentary elections scheduled for October. The chief Rabbi of Ukraine and Kiev, Moshe Reuvan Azman called Zelenky's win "a miracle." "This says a lot about the maturity of the Ukrainian people," he told AFP. "Relations between Ukrainians and Jews have not always been easy," he noted. "Ukraine is the only country in the world, aside from Israel, where the president and prime minister are Jewish," Eduard Dolinsky, a Jewish community leader, wrote on Facebook. Zelensky has said he considers religion to be a private affair and has christened his children in the Orthodox tradition, according to Ukrainian media. While the election campaign was fierce and saw opponents exchange various insults, Zelensky's ancestry was not used as a motive for attacks. This was far from trivial in a country where during the Soviet period, as in the rest of the USSR, being Jewish was not considered a matter of faith, but one of nationality and marked as such on identity papers. Pogroms The first Jewish massacres in what is now Ukraine date back to the 17th century, during an uprising against Polish rule led by Cossack military leader Bohdan Khmelnytsky, when thousands of Jews were killed. Thousands more were killed during another revolt against the Poles in the 18th century. Between 1917 and 1921, a period of fierce fighting between Russia's White and Bolshevik armies and Ukrainian nationalist armies was marked by a wave of pogroms. Ukraine's Jews were almost wiped out during the Holocaust, in which some Ukrainians collaborated with Nazi authorities. In Babi Yar, a ravine on the outskirts of Kiev, 34,000 Jews were slaughtered in just two days in one of the worst single massacres of the Holocaust. Other Ukrainians risked their lives to help Jews during the Nazi occupation, however. More than 2,600 Ukrainians have been recognised as "Righteous Among the Nations" by the Yad Vashem memorial centre in Jerusalem for saving Jews during World War Two. Now independent, Ukraine has once again been singled out for alleged anti-Semitism. Far-right groups played an active role on the barricades of the 2014 pro-Western Maidan revolution. The uprising ousted a pro-Russia president and was followed by Moscow's annexation of Kiev's Crimea peninsula and war with separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia has denounced the pro-Western authorities in Ukraine as a "neo-Nazi" and "fascist" regime. Rabbi Moshe Reuvan Azman said this is far from the case. "The level of anti-Semitism in Ukraine is lower than in Russia and in Europe, I see it clearly," he said. According to a study published last year by the American Pew Research Center, five per cent of Ukrainian adults does not want to accept Jews as fellow citizens. This is a much lower rate than its neighbours, as the figure is at 14 per cent in Russia, 18 per cent in Poland and 22 per cent in Romania. An article in the Israeli daily Haaretz said Zelensky's victory did not mean the end of anti-Semitism in Ukraine but represented "attempts to articulate a new sense of Ukrainian nationhood, one that can be more at peace with its troubled past."

Ukraine defies anti-Semitic past with Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky victory

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad Friday filed a charge sheet in a court in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district against two suspected ISIS operatives who were arrested last year.

While the accused, Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, were held on charges of planning a 'lone wolf' attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area here, the charge sheet claimed that they had also planned attacks on the Jewish community in Mumbai.

They wanted to carry out the attack in Mumbai as more Jews lived there compared to Ahmedabad, claimed the over 1,500 pages' charge sheet, filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate R D Mehta.

The charge sheet was filed in Ankleshwar as one of the suspects was held from there in October last year.

While Stimberwala worked as a laboratory technician at a hospital in Ankleshwar, Mirza was a lawyer practising in the Surat district court.

Both were "highly radicalised by the Jehadi ideology of the Islamic State and actively planning lone wolf attacks on Jews", it claimed.

Abdullah el-Faisal, a radical preacher based in Jamaica, and suspected ISIS handler Shafi Armar were shown as "absconding" in the charge sheet.

The arrested duo were in touch with el-Faisal and Shafi Armar to plan attacks on Jews in India, and conducted recce of some of the targets. They were even planning to send radicalised youths outside India to take part in terrorist acts, the charge sheet said.

Though Stimberwala and Mirza tried to procure weapons through their contacts in Delhi and Lucknow, they failed, said the charge sheet.

Apart from planning a 'lone-wolf' attack on the synagogue in Khadia area here, for which Stimberwala conducted a recce, they also thought of carrying out attacks in Nariman Point area in Mumbai to maximise the impact as a considerable number of Jews live there, it said.

Both have been charged with IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A (sedition) and 125 (waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with India). They were also booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

As per the FIR lodged in October, both the accused were under the influence of El-Faisal, who was convicted for spreading hatred in the UK and deported to Jamaica.

El-Faisal was subsequently detained in Jamaica on the charge of persuading youths to travel to Syria to take up jihad, the FIR had said.

While the accused, Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, were held on charges of planning a 'lone wolf' attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area here, the charge sheet claimed that they had also planned attacks on the Jewish community in Mumbai

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad Friday filed a charge sheet in a court in Ankleshwar town of Bharuch district against two suspected ISIS operatives who were arrested last year. While the accused, Mohammad Kasim Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza, were held on charges of planning a 'lone wolf' attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia area here, the charge sheet claimed that they had also planned attacks on the Jewish community in Mumbai. They wanted to carry out the attack in Mumbai as more Jews lived there compared to Ahmedabad, claimed the over 1,500 pages' charge sheet, filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate R D Mehta. The charge sheet was filed in Ankleshwar as one of the suspects was held from there in October last year. While Stimberwala worked as a laboratory technician at a hospital in Ankleshwar, Mirza was a lawyer practising in the Surat district court. Both were "highly radicalised by the Jehadi ideology of the Islamic State and actively planning lone wolf attacks on Jews", it claimed. Abdullah el-Faisal, a radical preacher based in Jamaica, and suspected ISIS handler Shafi Armar were shown as "absconding" in the charge sheet. The arrested duo were in touch with el-Faisal and Shafi Armar to plan attacks on Jews in India, and conducted recce of some of the targets. They were even planning to send radicalised youths outside India to take part in terrorist acts, the charge sheet said. Though Stimberwala and Mirza tried to procure weapons through their contacts in Delhi and Lucknow, they failed, said the charge sheet. Apart from planning a 'lone-wolf' attack on the synagogue in Khadia area here, for which Stimberwala conducted a recce, they also thought of carrying out attacks in Nariman Point area in Mumbai to maximise the impact as a considerable number of Jews live there, it said. Both have been charged with IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A (sedition) and 125 (waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with India). They were also booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). As per the FIR lodged in October, both the accused were under the influence of El-Faisal, who was convicted for spreading hatred in the UK and deported to Jamaica. El-Faisal was subsequently detained in Jamaica on the charge of persuading youths to travel to Syria to take up jihad, the FIR had said.

ISIS suspects planned attacks on Jews in Mumbai: Gujarat ATS

An Israeli court today sentenced an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man to life in prison for stabbing participants at a Jerusalem Gay Pride parade, killing a 16-year-old girl and wounding others. 
 
The Jerusalem District Court convicted Yishai Schlissel in April of murder and six counts of attempted murder over the July 2015 stabbings. He was sentenced to life plus 31 years, a court statement said. 
 
The incident triggered harsh criticism of the police when it emerged that Schlissel had been released from prison only three weeks earlier after serving a 10-year sentence for a similar attack. 
 
He had also posted a letter on the Internet speaking of the &quot;abomination&quot; of a Gay Pride parade being held in the Holy City and the need to stop it, even at the cost of one`s life. 
 
Many questioned how Schlissel, 40, when he was convicted, was allowed anywhere near the parade, which saw thousands marching through central Jerusalem. 
 
Witnesses described terrifying scenes of Schlissel, dressed in the dark suit worn by ultra-Orthodox Jews, storming the parade with a knife. 
 
(AFP)

The Jerusalem District Court convicted Yishai Schlissel in April of murder and six counts of attempted murder over the July 2015 stabbings

An Israeli court today sentenced an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man to life in prison for stabbing participants at a Jerusalem Gay Pride parade, killing a 16-year-old girl and wounding others. The Jerusalem District Court convicted Yishai Schlissel in April of murder and six counts of attempted murder over the July 2015 stabbings. He was sentenced to life plus 31 years, a court statement said. The incident triggered harsh criticism of the police when it emerged that Schlissel had been released from prison only three weeks earlier after serving a 10-year sentence for a similar attack. He had also posted a letter on the Internet speaking of the "abomination" of a Gay Pride parade being held in the Holy City and the need to stop it, even at the cost of one`s life. Many questioned how Schlissel, 40, when he was convicted, was allowed anywhere near the parade, which saw thousands marching through central Jerusalem. Witnesses described terrifying scenes of Schlissel, dressed in the dark suit worn by ultra-Orthodox Jews, storming the parade with a knife. (AFP)

Jewish man who stabbed Jerusalem Gay Pride marchers sentenced to life

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