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Desecration of Jewish headstones in New Zealand |
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Jewish graves have been desecrated with Nazi emblems at the Grafton Cemetery in Aukland, New Zealand. Three men aged from 19-23 have been arrested and charged for what the Israeli Embassy in Wellington condemned as a “vile desecration.”  More than 20 graves, all more than 125 years old and some dating back to the 1880s, were vandalised. Fourteen were spray-painted with large black swastikas, many had the numbers “88” – code for “Heil Hitler” sprayed on them and two had further anti-semitic obscenities.
Interfaith leaders joined the chorus of condemnation, with Catholic Bishop of Auckland Pat Dunn branding it as “despicable.” “I extend my solidarity and sympathy to my sisters and brothers of the Jewish community,” he said. Maori columnist Dion Tuuta called it “an abhorrent and cowardly” attack. “A cemetery is a wahi tapu (sacred place),” he wrote. “The idea of someone desecrating the burial site of someone else’s ancestors or loved ones is repugnant.” The “vile desecration” of Jewish headstones in a historic Auckland cemetery has drawn outrage from the Israeli embassy and community groups. Please login or register to see the full article |
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Israel’s population nears 8 million mark |
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On the eve of Rosh Hashannah, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) revealed that Israelis are living longer, getting married later and have an average of three children. The population of Israel is now approximately 7,933,200, of which 5,978,600 are Jewish. The growth rate of the population in 2011 was 1.8%, similar to the previous 8 years. The share of Israelis aged 75 and over continues to grow moderately: 4.8% in 2011 compared with 2.8% twenty years ago. CBS data also shows that there is an ever increasing high percentage of people in the 25-29 age group who have never married. In 2010, approximately 64.5% of men and 46.1% of women in this age category were never married compared with approximately 54.0% of men and 38.1% of women in 2000. Please login or register to see the full article |
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STAMPS COMMEMORATING WARM RELATIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND NEPAL |
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To celebrate 52 years of cooperation between the countries of Nepal and Israel, the first Nepal-Israel Joint Postage Stamp has been issued. The historical event was held simultaneously in both countries with ceremonies on 4 September.  The stamp marks the first time Nepal has issued a joint stamp with another country. Israel has launched other joint stamp initiatives with 15 other countries including; France, Canada, Austria and The Vatican.
The design shows the highest and the lowest points on earth Nepal’s Mount Everest at 8,848 metres above sea level and Israel’s Dead Sea which is 422 metres below sea level. The stamp symbolises the warm and friendly bond between the two countries. The stamp also depicts both the Nepalese and Israeli flags and includes writing in English, Hebrew, Nepalese and Arabic. The stamp signing ceremony was held in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, with officials from the Nepalese government, the Postal Services department and Israel’s Ambassador to Nepal in attendance. A press release by Israel's Embassy in Nepal quotes: “These two impressive stamps are wonderful examples of the long term partnership and friendship between our two countries and people.” In Israel, a festive ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nepalese Ambassador to Israel, Prahlad Kumar Prasai and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon were present. Please login or register to see the full article |
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Hitler clothing shop waiting for name change |
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Attempts are being made to rename a clothing shop in India after several complaints have been lodged from both local Indian and Jewish groups.  Shop owner Rajesh Shah, has stated that he will remove the sign, which was named in memory of his father. Mr Shah says he originally chose the name ‘Hitler’ as his father was a strict disciplinarian.
The shop is located in Ahmadabad, the main city in Gujarat state in Western India. It opened last month with a huge sign reading ‘Hitler’ and a Nazi swastika inside the dot in the letter ‘i.’ Shah said he received dozens of phone calls asking that he rename the shop. Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai had also asked state officials to intervene. Shah says he didn’t know about Hitler’s history, but people in the city say the name was a marketing gimmick. “Frankly, until the time we applied for the trademark permission, I had only heard that Hitler was a strict man. It was only recently that we read about Hitler on the Internet,” Shah said, according to The Times of India. Please login or register to see the full article |
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New Israeli Ambassador to China arrives |
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Israel’s new ambassador to China has been officially announced. Former Minister for Home Front Defense, Matan Vilnai, arrived in Beijing on 24 August to take up his new position. Ambassador Vilnai replaces Ambassador Amos Nadai who completed a 5 year term. 
Vilnai has already met with senior Chinese government officials. “On the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the sino-Israeli diplomatic relationship, we are proud of the close bilateralties,” Ambassador Vilnai said. “There is still a huge potential for the development of bilateral relations. I think I have a long way to go,” he added. Please login or register to see the full article |
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