[Elder of Ziyon] Thursday Links Part 2

From Ian:

---

Jewish Harvard Students Receive Mock Eviction Notices
Jewish students at Harvard University receive mock eviction notices in light of "Israel Apartheid Week."

In Harvard University's latest attempt to promote the delegitimization of the state of Israel, Jewish students in freshman and upper class dormitories received mock eviction notices in light of "Israel Apartheid Week", which is currently being organized on college and university campuses worldwide.
The campaign, organized by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee, distributed notices at the beginning of March which read, "We regret to inform you that your suite is scheduled for demolition in the next three days", a reference to the group's views regarding Israel's treatment of the Arab population.
The Anti Defamation League (ADL) expressed outrage over the prestigious university's latest attempts to daunt Jewish students and demonize the state of Israel saying, "This tactic is designed to silence and intimidate pro-Israel advocates at Harvard and campuses around the country."

Former German FM: "The Bright Hope of a New Middle East Has Vanished"

Joschka Fischer writes: "Given Syria's bloody civil war, the rise to power of Islamist forces through free elections, the ever-deepening political and economic crises in Egypt and Tunisia, increasing instability in Iraq, uncertainty about the future of Jordan and Lebanon, and the threat of war over Iran's nuclear program, the bright hope of a new Middle East has vanished."

Romanian historian publicly denies Holocaust
Vladimir Iliescu acknowledges 'persecution' took place in Romania, but says real atrocities took place elsewhere

Romania, an ally of Nazi Germany from 1940 to 1944, had a Jewish population of about 757,000 before World War II, when "extreme anti-Semitic tendencies escalated," according to Yad Vashem. The Israeli Holocaust museum's website says that Romanian and German troops murdered 380,000-400,000 Jews in areas controlled by Romania during the rule of Ion Antonescu.
The Romanian Academy has issued a statement distancing itself from Iliescu's statement, which it said was not planned.

Mother says Toulouse killer was 'good and kind'
French TV airs controversial documentary on Mohammed Merah after unsuccessful attempt by victims' family to quash film

Mohammed Merah's mother said in a first interview with French media that she did not understand what made her son kill three French soldiers and four Jews in Toulouse last year.
"I don't understand any of it, he was a good and kind kid," Zoulika Aziri said in an interview broadcast Wednesday on France 3 TV. "Then he changed all at once, I don't know why. He's dead and took many people with him." She said her son "never mentioned jihad." Aziri also denied reports by other relatives that "there was talk of jihad" in the family.

With Chavez gone, where to for Venezuelan Jews?
Most of the community emigrated during the late president's term. Now, the country's problems are compounded by political turmoil

For now, it's unclear whether or for how long the anti-Jewish atmosphere Chavez allowed to take root in Venezuela will survive him.
But after 14 years of policies that prompted more than half of Venezuela's Jews to pick up and leave — and with Venezuela's economic and security problems now compounded by political turmoil — it's hard to imagine very many of the Jewish emigres are hurrying back.

In Poland, a 'breakthrough' on Holocaust compensation
Warsaw, for first time, said willing to seriously discuss restitution

An official Israeli delegation to Poland believes it achieved a "breakthrough" in talks with Warsaw about possible compensation for private assets that belonged to Jews before the Holocaust, The Times of Israel has learned.
The five-member delegation, which included a former Israeli minister and was accompanied by a senior Israeli diplomat stationed in Warsaw, failed to reach an agreement with the Polish government. However, the Israelis said the Poles for the first time signaled readiness to engage seriously in a discussion about compensation and agreed on the need for further bilateral consultations.

Two runners disappear in marathon mystery
The Ethiopian women began Friday's race but did not reach the finish line, police say, and haven't been seen since

He said police were looking for them in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and were considering various reasons for the disappearance. But it seemed likely the two runners used the sporting event as an opportunity to flee poverty in their home country and to stay in Israel, home to a large community of African migrants.

Qoros debuts new sedan with more in the pipeline

Qoros Auto Co Ltd, the new independent carmaker from China, made its public debut on Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show by unveiling the first in a series of new models aimed at discerning young buyers in China and Europe.
The 50-50 joint venture established in 2007 by Chery Automobile, China's biggest automaker by sales, and Israel Corp, the largest holding company in its namesake country, is the only Chinese automaker at the show, after China's battery and car maker BYD Co Ltd exhibited its models at the event in 2010 and 2011.

Israeli Company Targeted by Boycotters Reports Huge Sales Increase

It has been a break out year for SodaStream, a fact that can be reflected in a 51% increase in full year revenue, to 436.3 million, reported by the company last month. The numbers were positive all-around in fact: fourth-quarter revenue increased 55% to $132.9 million, and the company sees 2013 revenue and adjusted net income improving by 25 percent, with half of the sales growth coming from the U.S.

Oren to Colbert: "No Country Has a Greater Interest Than Israel in Resolving the Iranian Nuclear Threat by Diplomatic Means"

Perhaps the most humorous moment came with the trademark Colbert non-sequitur moment when he asked out of the blue "So when are you going to bomb Iran?' to which Oren replied, "No country has a greater interest than Israel in resolving the Iranian nuclear threat by diplomatic means." Colbert responded that if Israel does decide to attack Iran that "the Colbert Nation is behind Israel on this one and if you do bomb Iran we are right behind you with just as many nuclear weapons as you admit to having."

---

Also:
US postpones award to honor Egyptian woman activist in light of anti-US, anti-Semitic tweets (h/t O)

The Obama administration is postponing an award for an Egyptian activist who rallied worldwide attention against forced "virginity tests" on female protesters because of anti-American and anti-Semitic comments discovered on her Twitter account.

The State Department announced earlier this week that Samira Ibrahim would be among 10 recipients of the International Women of Courage award presented by Secretary of State John Kerry and first lady Michelle Obama on Friday.

But State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Thursday the U.S. would hold off on awarding Ibrahim while officials investigate the tweets, which include support for attacks against U.S. diplomatic installations and praise for a terrorist assault against Israeli citizens in Bulgaria.

--
Posted By Ian to Elder of Ziyon at 3/07/2013 05:15:00 PM