2 Muslims arrested for firebombings
Canadian police arrest two men in their 20s following attacks on Jewish centers
Two Muslim men have been arrested in Montreal, Canada, following a firebomb attack on a Jewish community center, the Canadian Jewish News (CJN) reported.
Omar Bulphred, 24, and Azim Ibragimov, 22, were arrested by Montreal police "for the firebombing attacks on the YM-YWHA Ben Weider Jewish Community Centre in Snowdon on April 3 and on the chassidic Skver Toldos Yakov Yosef school in Outremont on Sept. 2," the CJN said.
"Police described the arsons as motivated by hatred of Jewish people, and the men could therefore receive stiffer sentences if either is convicted. Police have not linked the two men to racist or terrorist groups, although the investigation continue," the report added.
The report also said the men were planning to kidnap an unknown person, and had planned an armed robbery.
'American Dreyfus case' draws fire
The Espionage Act case against two former AIPAC employees has become a "flashpoint for individuals and groups with widely varying agendas," the Jewish Week reported.
"That includes both Jews who dislike the pro-Israel lobbying group and hold it responsible for the actions of its former employees, and those who believe those ex-employees are being persecuted by government anti-Semites. Last week the leaders of one Jewish group called it the 'American Dreyfus case' and charged that the government prosecution is driven by a pervasive anti-Jewish bias in high places," the Jewish Week said.
It added that "the case has become a cause celebre for anti-Israel forces that claim AIPAC is distorting US Middle East policy as well as pro-Israel activists who see in the government action an insidious attempt by some in the administration to undermine the US - Israel relationship."
Abraham Foxman, Director of the Anti-Defamation League, told the Jewish Week he saw "hints of anti-Semitism in the way the prosecution has unfolded."
He described the trial as a "very distressing phenomenon, especially when we realize that the story was first leaked in stark terms of Jews spying in America on behalf of Israel. That was a classical anti-Semitic form," Foxman was quoted as saying.
Negev JNF forest to be named after Australian PM
Australian Prime Minister John Howard will be honored with a Jewish National Fund (JNF) forest named after him, the Australian Jewish News (AJN) reported.
"Named the John Howard Negev Forest, the forest will be located in Israel's Negev region, the focus of the JNF's Negev Now campaign," the AJN report said.
"Howard is expected to personally accept the honor," the report added.
"JNF Victorian President Tom Borsky praised the Howard Government for its 'genuine commitment and friendship towards the Jewish community,'" the AJN said.
"We are privileged to create a perpetual tribute to him through the establishment of this forest," Borsky was quoted as saying.
