Dear Chaverot,
Welcome to the first edition of Straight Facts.
I am delighted to speak to you in my new portfolio as the WIZO member of the executive who is responsible for public diplomacy (hasbara).
There is nothing more powerful than a WIZO woman and working under the auspices of the office of the chairperson, we will endeavor to bring you the latest updates on all the issues facing Israel and the Jewish world today as well as talking points to help you empower yourself and your federations.
We want to hear from you! Every federation has different challenges and issues to deal with and to ensure that we best empower you, please let me know what information you would like to receive (apart from regular updates) and what you specifically need to help you become an ambassador for Israel in your country. Email rolenemarks@yahoo.com or phone + 972 52 582 9090
What are your concerns – rising anti-Semitism? BDS? How to advocate for Israel? You are welcome to contact me anytime. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Rolene Marks
WIZO Executive member: public diplomacy (hasbara)
South Africans refute Israel = Apartheid analogy:
South African students who are touring the USA with Stand With Us, one of the most respected advocacy organizations (www.standwithus.com) dispute the odious claims that Israel is an Apartheid state. They accuse BDS supporters of taking the narrative away from South Africans who suffered under this regime. In March university campuses become hotbeds of anti-Israel activity as the vile Israel = Apartheid Week makes its annual tour around the world. Share this article. Read more here: http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2016/02/04/67178/
Has Hitler found a new audience via social media?
ISCA (Israeli Students Combating Antisemitism) recently conducted a study across multiple social-media platforms internationally about how many times Hitler is referenced. The results were staggering – and disturbing. Read the report here: http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/History/Holocaust/Documents/AdolfHitlerPresenceOnlineDEC2015.pdf
Anti-Semitic posts on social media can be reported with immediate effect to Facebook and Twitter watchdogs as well as media watchdogs such as www.honestreporting.com
Courtesy: Global Forum on Combating Anti-Semitism
How do we measure anti-Semitism on social media?
Incitement and hate speech on social media is largely responsible for the increase in anti-Semitism around the world and the current wave of terror that Israelis are enduring. Perpetrators are using the hate speech featured on these platforms to justify attacks. The Online Hate Prevention Institute recently published a report on how anti-Semitism is measured around the world.
Read the study below. You can also report incidents of hate speech by contacting the OHPI: http://ohpi.org.au/measuring-antisemitism/
Courtesy: Global Forum on Combating Anti-Semitism
Update on Wave of Terror in Israel
For the last four months, Israel has been enduring a wave of terror that has seen stabbings, shootings and car-rammings directed at its citizens almost on a daily basis. For your latest update click on the link below, courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Palestinian/Pages/Wave-of-terror-October-2015.aspx
Get your daily fix of Israeli news:
Want your daily dose of the news from Israel? Get the latest news, start-up nation happenings and culture with easy access every day. i24 News broadcasts from the Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv 24/7 in English, French and Arabic and you can subscribe to ILTV for your daily updates – fresh with your morning cup of coffee.
Look out for the bumper edition on BDS which will be available soon. Don’t forget to check out the Hasbara page on the WIZO website and I would be delighted to include your contributions.
http://www.wizo.org/wizo-news/hasbara.html
