Warsaw Ghetto memorial defaced with anti-Israel graffiti
(JTA) — A memorial to Jews deported from the Warsaw Ghetto was defaced with graffiti appearing to equate the Holocaust with the war in Gaza.
The graffiti makes Warsaw’s Umschlagplatz memorial the latest of a string of Holocaust monuments to be vandalized with anti-Israel messages.
The marble structure commemorates the spot where hundreds of thousands of Jews were assembled before being deported to concentration camps in 1942 and 1943. The red graffiti says “Warsaw 1943 = Gaza 2025,” and was written beneath a quote from the biblical book of Job in Hebrew, Yiddish and Polish reading, “Earth, do not cover my blood; let there be no resting place for my outcry.”
The graffiti echoes the claim made by pro-Palestinian activists that Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza constitutes a genocide, an accusation Israel vigorously denies.
Pro-Hamas activist destroys Netanyahu’s wax statue in Mexico
(JNS) — A pro-Palestinian activist vandalized a wax statue of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a museum in Mexico City on Tuesday.
Video footage of the incident circulating on social media shows the masked individual smashing the statue’s face with a hammer after pouring red paint over it.
A PLO flag can be seen on the floor next to the replica.
Australia ices hockey event over Israel-linked security concerns
(JNS) — Australia’s ice hockey federation has canceled an upcoming international qualifying tournament due to safety concerns, with local media linking the decision to the participation of the Israeli national team, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Multiple sources have cited an internal email from Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) stating that the tournament could not proceed due to security risks stemming from Israel’s involvement.
In a statement, IHA confirmed the cancellation of the tournament, scheduled for April in Melbourne, following consultations with local police and the venues involved. While the statement does not explicitly mention Israel, it emphasizes a policy of refraining from commenting on “global issues outside the sport.”
“The decision was primarily made to ensure the safety and security of athletes, volunteers, spectators, and other participants,” the statement reads. “IHA does not shy away from making this decision with safety at the forefront.”
The IIHF has not responded to a Reuters request for comment.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the cancellation “unfortunate,” but reassured the public that the government has taken necessary steps to protect Australia’s Jewish community.
“This is a decision made by Ice Hockey Australia,” he said in an interview with Channel Nine.
Far-right party founded by former Nazis is tapped to lead Austria’s government
(JTA) — Austria’s far-right Freedom Party, which was founded by former Nazis, has been given a mandate to form a governing coalition, positioning it to lead the country for the first time since World War II.
The Freedom Party won the most votes in national elections in September, but a group of more moderate parties engaged in months-long negotiations to form a coalition that would block it from taking power. Those talks faltered over the weekend and the sitting chancellor resigned. On Monday the Austrian president gave the Freedom Party the go-ahead to assemble a coalition.
If that effort is successful, Austria will be led by a politician, Herbert Kickl, who has aspired to the title “Volkskanzler,” which means “people’s chancellor” and was also used by Adolf Hitler.
CENTCOM deputy commander talks defense cooperation in Israel
(JNS) — The deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, visited Israel last week at the invitation of IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amir Baram.
The men toured several Israeli Air Force bases, including Nevatim, where they reviewed capabilities and discussed joint operations, according to an IDF statement.
They also held talks on threats emanating from Houthi terrorists in Yemen, as well as overall U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.
“The IDF will continue to deepen its relationship with the U.S. military out of a commitment to strengthening regional stability and coordination between the two militaries,” the statement noted.
In December, CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Kurilla met in Israel with Defense Minister Israel Katz to discuss regional security issues, including the developing situation in Syria and “preparedness against other strategic and regional threats.”
Kurilla was a guest of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
