UAE joins international antisemitism forum for first time
(JNS)—A representative of the United Arab Emirates participated for the first time in an international forum on combating antisemitism in Dublin this week, according to the World Jewish Congress (WJC).
Maqsoud Kruse, the UAE foreign minister’s envoy for countering extremism and terrorism, joined officials and Jewish community leaders at the gathering. The WJC organized the forum in partnership with the European Commission.
During the forum, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun announced that Armenia and three additional countries are expected to join the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), according to the WJC.
WJC executive director Sara Friedman called on governments to acknowledge their failures to protect Jewish communities following Oct. 7. “The responsibility for protecting Jewish life cannot rest on Jewish communities alone,” she said. “It requires governments, international institutions, and technology companies to move beyond statements of solidarity and take meaningful action.”
US supports landmark Israel-Cyprus-Greece electricity project
(JNS)—The U.S. administration is backing a mammoth electricity project to connect the power grids of Israel, Cyprus and Greece, the Cypriot Defense Minister said reviving the long-delayed initiative.
The move comes amid growing cooperation between the close eastern Mediterranean allies, who have united against their historic rival, Turkey, after a period of regional instability.
Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas told JNS at the launch of an Israel caucus in the Cypriot parliament that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for the project during his visit to Greece last week, underscoring Washington’s commitment to its implementation and highlighting the cooperation of the three eastern Mediterranean allies plus the United States.
The watershed Israel-Cyprus-Greece electricity project, known as the Great Sea Interconnector, is of “considerable strategic importance” for both the Republic of Cyprus and the wider eastern Mediterranean region, the Cypriot defense minister said.
“This project has the potential to help end Cyprus’s energy isolation, strengthen energy security, and integrate our region into the European security market,” he said.
EU decries postponement of Palestinian elections
(JNS)—The European Union criticized the Palestinian Authority for postponing legislative and presidential elections until September 2027, saying Palestinians have waited too long to choose their leaders.
“The EU deeply regrets the decision,” Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, stated. The legislative elections had been scheduled for Nov. 28, while the presidential vote was due in early 2027. The Palestinian Authority announced that both are now set for Sept. 11, 2027.
“Acknowledging the challenges and limitations facing the Palestinian Authority, we reiterate the importance of organizing legislative and presidential elections as soon as possible,” Kallas said, urging alignment with previous commitments made by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Abbas had previously pledged to hold elections as part of efforts to secure international support for Palestinian statehood. The repeated delays have drawn criticism from Israeli officials and international partners.
“Democratic and transparent elections” are “long overdue,” she added, saying Palestinians “must be able to vote to elect their leadership and representatives to their institutions.”.
Two deaths in Manchester synagogue attack will be probed through public inquiry, Britain says
(JTA)—The deaths of two Jewish men in an attack on a synagogue in Manchester last year will be examined through a public inquiry, the British home secretary announced a necessary step to include sensitive information in the investigation.
Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed during the attack on Yom Kippur on Oct. 2, 2025, when Jihad Al-Shamie rammed a car into a group of worshippers outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester and stabbed two people. Cravitz died from stab wounds and another man, Andrew Franks, was seriously injured but survived. Daulby was shot by police while blocking the synagogue doors to stop Al-Shamie from entering. Two other people were seriously injured.
Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born British citizen, said he was acting for the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, before police shot him dead.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the public inquiry in a statement about national security at the House of Commons, saying that “what happened that day must be fully understood.”
“This will ensure that all evidence can be heard, including any sensitive national security material that could not otherwise be fully heard in the coroner’s court,” said Mahmood.
Recorded anti-Jewish hate crimes rise 10% in England and Wales
(JTA)—Hate crimes targeting Jewish people in England and Wales rose by 10% in the year ended in March, according to the latest data released by the British government.
Police-reported hate crime — including crime influenced by other factors such as race and sexual orientation — overall increased by 7% compared with the previous year, according to the Home Office data released last week.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband posted on social media, “Antisemitism has no place in our society. This morning, I hosted a crucial discussion with the J7 Global Task Force to discuss how we can work together across countries to stamp out the scourge of antisemitism.”
Following the meeting, the Board of Deputies of British Jews issued a statement explaining that Miliband and the task force had discussed, among other things, “The sharp rise in global antisemitism” and the “continued demonisation of Israel.” Representatives from the U.K., the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, Argentina and Australia make up the task force.
“In the meeting, the J7 proposed a new international intergovernmental ministerial task force on antisemitism, comprising the countries represented in the J7 and taking on the key themes discussed. We were pleased that the Foreign Secretary agreed to host an inaugural meeting of J7 countries’ ministers to start this process,” the statement sent to JTA said.
