In February 2012 correspondence with Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi, Chaudhary posted, "Hitler..why don't you face our Pakistani people? Your daughter works at WSJ [the Wall Street Journal]," followed by the Urdu phrase "oh forgot that Jew hoga tera baap" — meaning roughly "Jew will be your father." Additional messages showed him celebrating Ahmadinejad while writing, "This banda [person] is fearless RT "@murtazasolangi President Ahmedinejad has declared Israel as cancer which will be eliminated very soon," to Pakistani official Murtaza Solangi. His November 2012 posts included, "There is a barbaric nation who's killing indigents and innocent Palestinians called ISRAEL. TALK about it. #stupid media," and he questioned LGBTQ rights by posting, "@SaifsDen I too read a piece on Gay rights. To be honest, it is purely claptrap. Doesn't make sense. Boundary line should be drawn somewhere."

Chaudhary, now 31, apologized Sunday to The New York Post, stating: "I apologize for my tweets, as they do not reflect my current views, or represent who I am today," and, "Those comments from over a decade ago are not in line with how I see the world, and I look back at that rhetoric and mindset with deep regret." Jewish activists condemned the statements, with former Brooklyn assemblyman Dov Hikind of Americans Against Antisemitism declaring, "This is Adolf Hitler language. It's antisemitic. It's a horror show," and blaming Mamdani, who supports the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement (BDS) against Israel. Hikind stated, "The fish stinks from the head. Mamdani sets the tone. It's a hate-filled administration." Political consultant and rabbi Hank Sheinkopf emphasized "words matter," warning, "This advisor to the mayor is clearly by his own words a Jew hater," and asking, "The only issue: it always begins with the Jews but never ends with the Jews. Who's next on the list?"

A Mamdani transition representative condemned Chaudhary's language while clarifying he serves as Muslim outreach director rather than political director, with spokesperson Dora Pekec stating: "These comments from over a decade ago are reprehensible and in no way reflect the views of the Mayor-elect or this transition. The mayor elect has made this clear internally and consistently during the campaign and transition." The spokesperson didn't signal that Chaudhury would be dismissed for the past inflammatory remarks. His previous roles included serving as a senior community organizer for Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and as a digital organizer for the Working Families Party.

The post Mamdani aide under fire for praising Iran leader who called Israel cancer appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Additional prominent signatories encompass filmmaker Adam McKay, performer Mark Ruffalo, and actress Ayo Edebiri, who pledged against screening work at, participating in, or collaborating with Israeli movie theaters, broadcast outlets, and production firms they consider "are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people," The New York Times reported.

I am pleased to share that despite a complete lack of credentials, publications, or professional experience in the field, I have been accepted as a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (seriously). pic.twitter.com/HymRw5loVV

— Michael -- LET MY PEOPLE GO!!! (@maltman613) September 3, 2025

The coalition indicated its approach drew from Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, the 1980s initiative that campaigned against South Africa's segregation policies, according to The New York Times. A collective of scholarly authorities called the International Association of Genocide Scholars announced last month that Israel's Gaza operations satisfied genocide's judicial requirements.

The post Hollywood pledges to boycott Israeli production companies appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The exhibition, planned to open on November 25 and run until March 15, 2026, was intended to tell the story of Bournemouth's Jewish community as part of a project funded by Britain's National Heritage Fund. The museum has now announced that the exhibition will be rescheduled for a future date yet to be determined.

Wave of antisemitism in the area

The decision comes after a series of severe antisemitic incidents in the area. Last month, a Jewish man was shot with an air rifle in Bournemouth's East Cliff neighborhood, and several cases of swastika graffiti were recorded, including one painted on a local rabbi's home.

A museum spokesperson explained: "We carefully assess potential risks when planning any exhibition. We recognize this is a sensitive period, and due to requirements related to this event, the museum has decided to postpone the exhibition and is working with organizers to reschedule it."

Harsh criticism of the decision

The Campaign Against Antisemitism organization in Britain harshly criticized the museum's decision, calling it "completely shameful." The organization accused the institution of choosing "to extinguish Jewish culture in the face of threats from an antisemitic mob."

"At a time when British Jews are facing unprecedented levels of antisemitism and families are hiding their identity for fear of abuse or even violence, British institutions should be standing firm in support of Jewish life, not silencing it," the organization's statement read.

Jewish heritage is being cancelled in Britain.

We understand that the Russell-Cotes Museum in Bournemouth has scrapped an exhibition on the illustrious history of the city's Jewish community over fears of "protest" and "security risks".

This is utterly shameful.

At a time… pic.twitter.com/mUhvcpbKcF

— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) September 3, 2025

Sharp rise in antisemitism in Britain

Britain has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of antisemitism since October 7. According to Community Security Trust (CST) data, 1,521 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the first half of 2025 – the second-highest number since the organization began documenting data.

In total, the organization documented 3,528 antisemitic incidents in 2024, making it the second-worst year on record, with an 18% decrease from the 2023 peak of 4,296 incidents.

The post 'Completely shameful': English museum surrenders to antisemitism appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The "Report It" app allows users to document antisemitic incidents in real time while maintaining complete anonymity, addressing what experts identify as a persistent problem in combating hate crimes. Research indicates that between 50% and 80% of antisemitic incidents globally are never officially recorded, creating incomplete data that hampers policy responses and resource allocation.

"Research and reports have consistently demonstrated that the overwhelming majority of antisemitic incidents are unreported, frequently because of a mistrust of authorities, a lack of awareness of reporting systems, bureaucratic hurdles, and excessive 'red tape,'" said Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement. "With Report It, we are giving every individual a quick, safe, and effective way to shine a light on hate, hold perpetrators accountable, and drive meaningful change."

The app's launch comes amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents worldwide. CAM's Antisemitism Research Center has tracked more than 12,000 incidents over the past five years, ranging from vandalism and graffiti to harassment, discrimination, and violence.

Users can submit incident reports through the app with just a few clicks, ensuring that personal details are never shared. The organization verifies submissions before forwarding appropriate cases to local leaders, law enforcement, media outlets, and community organizations that are well-positioned to respond.

The underreporting problem creates cascading challenges for Jewish communities. Without accurate data reflecting the true scope of antisemitism, advocates struggle to secure necessary resources, push for stronger protective policies, or mobilize effective community responses.

CAM has made the Report It app available for download on both Apple Store and Google Play platforms, encouraging users to adopt a simple approach: "See it. Report it. Stop it."

The post Antisemitism reporting app launched as 80% of incidents go unrecorded appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

"We were surprised by the banner's language. It was blatant. Typically the messages focus on love and peace with subtle hints about change, not an explicit call to end war or taking a political stance, and here it delivered a sharp message," a senior Israel Football Association source said.

Sports officials discussed how organizers brought children from all conflict zones except Israel, with the two prominent children at the event being Palestinians who grew up under Hamas rule. Nobody bothered informing any Israeli official about what would unfold, reflecting Israel's weakness and positions over the past two years concerning public diplomacy efforts.

"You must remember that Israel fails in public diplomacy on issues far more important than soccer, so obviously in sports we are also failing. Who can handle public diplomacy against UEFA, [IFA chief] Moshe Zoares? That's several levels beyond his capabilities. The state needs to address this, because the association lacks the tools," the same source added.

Security nightmare

For organizations like BDS, sports represent a crucial weapon in the war against Israel, particularly the soccer sector. An entire department, funded and organized, dispatches letters weekly to sports bodies worldwide with one demand: Expel Israel from the international arena, like South Africa during the apartheid era or contemporary Russia. This has been occurring for years with escalating intensity, and it's not the sole organization involved. Against this, naturally, there is no response. The IFA lacks the human and financial resources to counter such an assault.

Given this reality, it's remarkable that Israeli teams and the national squad continue playing in Europe at all, avoiding expulsion. This occurs largely through the efforts of association chairman, Zoares. "You must remember that Israel represents not just a public relations problem, but also an economic and security problem. Playing against Israeli teams or hosting them creates massive security headaches, and enormous expenses. Why would teams or national squads want to inflict this on themselves? It's not as if anyone has surplus money," the source added, highlighting the scarcity of training matches for the national team and international engagements for Israeli players.

Now circumstances are changing rapidly and for the worse. Everyone recognizes – in the Foreign Ministry, Public Diplomacy Ministry and IFA alike – that a Gaza operation means initiating the expulsion process for clubs from UEFA and Israel from FIFA. They will place us on "leave" for one or two years, during which soccer will be ostracized and suffer devastating economic damage. The IFA fears events will unfold swiftly, without a grace period or waiting for a ceasefire.

Without an anthem, without Star of David

It's crucial to note that rapid Israeli soccer expulsion would, naturally, create problems in other sports as well. While the Olympic Committee, for instance, doesn't expel athletes, as Russia wasn't expelled and its athletes compete under another flag, there's a possibility that judoka Shani Hershko will lead the judo team to Los Angeles under the Olympic Committee flag. We won't hear the Israeli anthem, and we won't see a Star of David unless the athletes wear one.

EuroLeague in crisis too?

The other immediate concern is EuroLeague basketball. Games won't occur in Israel this year either, but now this appears like a minor problem. The Gaza operation, with the anticipated images from there, could cause clubs, primarily the Spanish ones dominating European basketball, to refuse playing against Israeli teams even on Bulgarian or Serbian territory.

Basketball veteran and Maccabi Tel Aviv Chairman Shimon Mizrahi is already quite elderly, basketball executive Ofer Yanai isn't truly recognized in European basketball, and the struggle for Israeli basketball's European survival appears extremely challenging. The national team will also experience this impact in the European Championship at the end of the month.

The post European soccer chooses sides; will Israel be kicked out? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan sent a letter to a series of senior officials in the Trump administration and Congress, in which he expressed outrage over the law, which is the first against Jews because of their religion and place of residence since the Holocaust. He demanded that the officials impose high tariffs on Ireland in response when the law is approved. This is the first time, it should be noted, that a Western country is considering imposing a legal boycott in a state manner against Jewish products only, without any reference to Arab factories operating in the same area.

This is an "antisemitic law that discriminates only against Jews living in Judea and Samaria," Dagan wrote. He emphasizes that the law "constitutes a direct violation of human rights, morally and security-wise – and contradicts the official policy of the US under the Trump administration, which recognized in an official declaration that the Judea and Samaria area is not occupied territory and that settlement there is legal and does not contradict international law."

According to Dagan, the law "grants a prize to the terror of the Palestinian Authority and harms peace-loving residents, and it constitutes an integral part of the international boycott policy BDS – a movement that the United States itself has condemned again and again.

"If Ireland passes an official law that boycotts Jews only, it will crown itself as an antisemitic country. This will be the first time since the Holocaust that a specific law against Jews will pass in a European country. A country that becomes antisemitic, contrary to US policy, free world countries cannot overlook this. I call on the United States to impose economic tariffs on any country that supports such antisemitic boycott laws," Dagan wrote.

The post Ireland to boycott Jew-owned products from West Bank appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Del Rey expressed clear support for Palestinians, writing, "Of course we pray for Palestine every day," and added, "I wish for peace between all nations and am constantly up on all of the news between the Israel Palestine conflict." She acknowledged that "I was very hopeful when we were getting close to a peace treaty."

Alongside her words of hope, Del Rey did not hesitate to use more blunt language, stating, "It's always difficult to watch any innocent victims killed by crimes of war," and added that "It's heartbreaking and unfathomable to think there hasn't been a way to find some resolution." She also addressed the complexity of expressing positions on sensitive issues, writing, "There is never a good way of wording things that will make all people happy but that is my personal truth. Politically I do keep up and have been very much hoping for cease fire. This is a long ongoing conflict and one I've studied hard to understand."

This is not the first time Del Rey has inserted herself into the political swamp. In 2018, she canceled her planned performance at the Meteora Festival in the Judean Desert after pressure from the BDS boycott movement, declaring she could not coordinate a performance in both Israel and Palestinian territories, writing on Twitter, "It's important for me to perform in both Palestine and Israel, and to respect all my fans."

Del Rey tried to calm the storm earlier when she claimed that "a performance in Tel Aviv is not a political statement," adding that "singing in California doesn't mean I support the American government." Nevertheless, in the end, she folded. Just like Katy Perry before her and Lorde after her, Del Rey joined the list of artists who prefer to maintain world peace (or at least their international careers) rather than enter a geopolitical minefield.

While her fans in Israel remained confused, and primarily without a performance, Del Rey declares her positions are "identified with liberal views regarding democracy and oppression," but on the other hand, she tries to be "neutral" and pains for "both sides" in the conflict.

The post Lana Del Ray: I pray for Palestine every day appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Přibližně 150 propalestinských aktivistů vniklo 23 června do skladů společnosti v belgickém Tournai a vandalizovalo obrněná vozidla… která byla určena pro Ukrajinu.

V rámci kampaně „Stop Arming Israel" 150 „aktivistů" zničilo kanceláře společnosti kladivy a poté se obrátilo pic.twitter.com/5Dfd86yqiD

— Tomáš Doupal (@TomasDoupa39474) June 26, 2025

 The activists from the "Stop Arming Israel" movement broke into the OIP Land Systems hangar in Tournai, Belgium, where they vandalized armored vehicles with hammers, spray-painted graffiti, and shattered windows. The equipment they destroyed was destined for Ukrainian forces battling Russian aggression, not Israeli military units.

The company has provided hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine since Russia's invasion began. The antisemitic organization declared they had identified "10 Belgian companies with connections to Israeli armament," though OIP Land Systems operates as part of OIP Sensor Systems – a subsidiary of Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems.

Freddy Versluys, the company's president, clarified, "We don't sell anything to Israel. The vandals entered the hangar and damaged extensive equipment. The only damage they caused is a one-month delay in delivering the vehicles to Ukraine."

proti obrněným vozidlům uvnitř dílen.

Cílová společnost se specializuje na údržbu, opravy a modernizaci vojenských vozidel. Škody se odhadují na zhruba jeden milion eur.

Od ruské invaze společnost dodala ukrajinské armádě již přibližně 260 obrněných vozidel. pic.twitter.com/A3pZTM0KYt

— Tomáš Doupal (@TomasDoupa39474) June 26, 2025

 The Tournai facility contains one of Europe's largest private weapons stockpiles and has been actively involved in supplying military equipment to Ukraine, including tanks and armored vehicles for the war effort against Russia.

The post Activists destroy $1M in Ukraine aid thinking it was for Israel appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The report, conducted by polling company GBAO Strategies, a left-leaning polling firm uncovers a significant disconnect between the administration's rhetoric and the feelings of American Jews. "The Jewish public isn't buying the president's statements," Jim Gerstein, founding partner of the polling company, explained. "The opposite is true – they see the steps taken by the administration under the banner of 'fighting antisemitism' as factors that actually intensify the problem."

"The survey of Jewish registered voters, conducted by the polling firm GBAO Strategies, found that 52% of respondents say the word 'antisemitic' describes the president very or somewhat well," the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported

Campus policy failed

One of the Trump administration's most prominent initiatives in recent months was the widely publicized campaign against antisemitism on college campuses, which included slashing billions of dollars from university budgets and deporting foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. However, these actions face pointed criticism from the Jewish community.

Nearly half of respondents (49%) assert that budget cuts to universities actually increased antisemitism. A substantial majority (61%) believe that deporting pro-Palestinian protesters worsened the situation, and only about a quarter of those surveyed think the administration's measures are actually helping to reduce antisemitism.

"Jewish communities feel more threatened than ever before," a source involved in the survey said. "77% are concerned about antisemitism on campuses and an even higher percentage is anxious about the situation in the US as a whole." According to the source, anxiety continues to grow precisely during Trump's tenure, who promised to protect the Jewish community.

Strained relations with Israel

The survey also highlights significant shifts in American Jews' relationship with Israel and its leadership. A particularly concerning statistic is the decline in the sense of connection to Israel, from 82% before the Hamas attack in October 2023 to 69% today.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces particularly harsh criticism, with only a third (34%) of American Jews holding a positive opinion of him, while the majority (61%) view him negatively. Furthermore, 62% of respondents believe his decision to resume fighting in Gaza in March stemmed from personal political considerations rather than concern for national security.

Regarding the fate of the hostages, a worrying 72% of respondents believe that renewed military action in Gaza increases the risk to their lives, compared to only 28% who think the operation brings their release closer.

Broad support for criticism of Israel

The survey also challenges a prevalent myth, with 92% of American Jews believing it's possible to be "pro-Israel" while still criticizing government policy. This figure contradicts assertions recently made in Israel that criticism of Israeli policy is tantamount to being anti-Israel.

"The American Jewish public demonstrates complexity in its relationship with Israel," Gerstein explained. "On one hand, there is deep support for Israel's right to exist securely, and on the other hand, there is criticism of the current government's conduct, especially regarding the ongoing war in Gaza."

The survey, conducted between April 22 and May 1 among 800 Jewish voters across the US, is considered a representative sample with a margin of error of 3.5%. It was commissioned by the "Jewish Electorate Institute: Jewish Voter Preferences," a new non-partisan organization aimed at collecting and distributing data on American-Jewish community positions on political issues.

The survey findings emerge just two weeks after Trump completed his first 100 days in his current term, and represent a significant warning sign for an administration struggling to earn the trust of the Jewish community.

The post 52% of US Jews view Trump as antisemitic appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Despite rising antisemitism across Europe, Hungary's Jewish community is experiencing unprecedented growth and security, with community leaders declaring it the safest European country for Jews today. The renaissance of Jewish life, particularly in Budapest, is backed by strong government support and practical security measures.

"When I explained several years ago that Viktor Orban is an ally of the Jewish people and that it's better to work with him, I faced anger from many circles who view him as someone who acts against democratic values," reveals Rabbi Menachem Margolin, chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), referring to Hungary's controversial prime minister. "But Orban's approach to promoting Jewish life is clear and unequivocal, unlike many other European leaders."

When asked whether the Hungarian leader is considered a friend of the Jews, Rabbi Margolin offers a nuanced response: "I don't know if Orban loves Jews or if he's acting as he sees fit – I care less about his motivations. He has taken responsibility for ensuring that the Jewish community in Hungary flourishes and feels secure, and he's doing everything necessary to make that happen."

"Actually, what does a Jewish community need to flourish? It needs security and religious freedom, and it needs proof from the government that Jews are welcome in the country, through backing and statements from leaders and punishment of antisemites. It needs financial support from the establishment for the Jewish community, and public support for the State of Israel," Margolin explains.

"The combination of all these elements is essential for the existence and promotion of a Jewish community in any country, and the Hungarian government under Orban creates conditions that make Hungary a place where Judaism thrives."

180,000 identify as Jewish

Similar to many other countries worldwide, it's difficult to know exactly how many Jews live in Hungary today, but according to various estimates, there are about 100,000 Jews in the country, with approximately 85% living in Budapest, alongside a minority residing in cities like Debrecen and other smaller localities. Notably, about a year and a half ago, Hungary's national statistics organization conducted a survey in which around 180,000 people identified themselves as Jewish.

"Hebrew can be head everywhere"

"Hungary is undoubtedly one of the safest places for Jews," agrees Eran Berkowitz, Eastern Europe regional director for the Jewish Agency. "You walk around here in summer and 180,000 people identified themselves as Jewish There has also been significant Israeli migration to Hungary in recent years. Here we have a government that supports Israel, with a tough immigration policy that prevents Muslims from countries hostile to Israel from coming here, and there's a pro-active Jewish community that's growing and expanding, strongly supports Israel, and has influence in the country. There's almost no antisemitism in the public sphere here, and very few demonstrations against Israel, and when they do occur, Hungarian police don't allow them to get out of control. Several factors come together here that enable the flourishing of a significant Jewish community, which is becoming one of the largest in Europe."

Hungary's broad support for Israel was demonstrated less than 24 hours after the International Criminal Court in The Hague announced arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last month. Hungarian Prime Minister Orban quickly invited Netanyahu to visit his country and announced that Hungary would not enforce the court's warrants.

"Hungary's prime minister has been one of Israel's greatest supporters for many years, and he backs his support with pro-Israel decisions in various European Union votes," explains Jonathan Megyeri (48), a Jewish resident of Budapest and editor-in-chief of the Jewish news site Neokohn. "These votes are a significant anchor for Israel, because EU decisions require consensus from all member states, and many times Hungary stands almost alone, or even completely alone, to prevent harsh decisions against Israel."

"I also agree that Hungary is the safest place for Jews in Europe. I walk around Budapest wearing a kippah and tzitzit. On Shabbat, I wear a hat and speak Hebrew, and people don't even look at me. If they do look, it's because they recognize me from television or YouTube, because I have a regular segment about Judaism on Hungary's main television channel."

"In recent years, several new synagogues have opened in Budapest, and historic synagogues have been renovated. They've opened institutions, schools, and restaurants. There are between six and eight kosher restaurants in Hungary – one in Debrecen and the rest in Budapest – and this has continued to expand in recent years. There's an Israeli grill restaurant, and even fast food options."

PR initiative

Despite the optimistic picture, antisemitism remains present in Hungary, and the country's Jews understand that Jewish life flourishes because the current regime allows it. They hope the positive treatment of Jews and the fight against antisemitism will continue after Viktor Orban's rule ends.

"Antisemitism is still present, mainly among the far right, but their voice isn't strong – because they understand the government opposes it," Megyeri explains. "Fifteen years ago, a survey on antisemitism revealed that almost a quarter of Hungarians held antisemitic views. In practice, only a small percentage would be actively hostile toward Jews, the kind who might make statements like 'I'll send you on a train to Auschwitz.' The rest express classic antisemitism with views like 'Jews control the banks and media' and 'I wouldn't want to live next to a Jew' – but this doesn't hurt in daily life. So what if they don't like Jews."

"In my opinion, the best place for Jews is Israel, but in the current reality, I see advantages in Jews living in the diaspora. The State of Israel needs diaspora Jews to help from their positions. I, for instance, do everything I can to assist Israeli public diplomacy in the media, to explain Israel's position. I speak Hungarian because I was born in Hungary, and I do things I couldn't do for Israel if I lived there."

The post What is the safest European country for Jews? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.