Shorts: World

Canada church drops divestment plans

toronto (jta) | The United Church of Canada dropped a controversial proposal to divest from companies that contribute to Israel's presence in the West Bank.

The church's Aug. 17 decision encourages investment in "peaceful pursuits" in Israel.

The switch came after several Jewish community leaders attended the church's 39th general council in Ontario, and the Canadian Jewish Congress sent a letter to council delegates.

Twelve rabbis also wrote to delegates, asserting that the original divestment proposal would be "unfair, wrong-headed and terribly unhelpful."

The resolution promotes investment in companies that denounce violence and support a "secure and economically viable Palestinian state alongside a secure and economically viable state of Israel." It also defines companies engaged in "non-peaceful pursuits."




Jewish-owned market in Moscow bombed

moscow (jta) | An explosion at a Jewish-owned market in Moscow killed at least 10 people and left 16 to 40 wounded. According to preliminary reports, no Jews were hurt in the blast at the Cherkizovsky market.

The market is believed to be owned and operated by members of the "Mountain Jewish" community, which has its roots in Azerbaijan.

At least two children died in the blast Monday morning, Aug. 21. Investigators say the explosion, which caused a two-story building to collapse, could have been a settling of scores among gangs, but officials are not ruling out that the blast was a terrorist attack. The market in Moscow is used mostly by traders from China and former Soviet republics in Central Asia.




Ominous signs of anti-Semitism in Venezuela

caracas (jta) | Many Jews think Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's heated rhetoric is fanning the flames of anti-Semitism.

This is largely because of Chavez's vehement criticism of Israel during its war with Hezbollah. Chavez has described Israel's actions in Lebanon as a "new Holocaust," and said that "Israel is doing what Hitler did to the Jews."

Chavez's supporters have followed his lead: Anti-Jewish graffiti and vandalism is on the rise and at a recent demonstration, protesters burned an Israeli flag outside the Israeli Embassy.

Beyond the rhetoric, Chavez is pursuing closer strategic relations with Arab countries and Iran, and is emerging as a key supporter of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a known Holocaust denier who repeatedly has called for Israel's destruction.




British Jews to celebrate 350 years

london (jta) | On Sept. 17, the yearlong celebration of Oliver Cromwell's decision to readmit Jews to England after 350 years of exile is scheduled to culminate in Simcha on the Square, a daylong festival in London's Trafalgar Square.

The anniversary of official Jewish re-entry into England in 1656, when Cromwell is believed to have granted the community the rights to practice openly and build cemeteries, has been marked throughout the year with a series of cultural, educational and official events presented by individuals, Jewish organizations and cultural institutions.

In 1290, a short time after moneylending was declared heretical and made illegal in England, Edward I expelled the Jews, who fled to continental Europe.




U-boats headed for Israel

berlin (ap) | Germany plans to deliver two submarines to Israel, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Wednesday, Aug. 23.

German shipyard HDW signed a contract with Israeli authorities on July 6 to build the two submarines, the spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.

The spokesman said the German government will finance about one-third of the construction cost, which has been estimated at $1.3 billion.

Kiel-based HDW delivered three submarines to Israel in 1999 and 2000.




Nazi-themed restaurant raises furor

mumbai (ap) | When Hitler's Cross restaurant opened earlier this month in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), local politicians and movie industry types were on hand to celebrate beneath the posters of the Nazi leader and swastikas.

Owner Puneet Sablok insists that the name and theme of his new eatery is only meant to attract attention, even if it has outraged the Jewish community.

Sablok has refused to back down, and apart from Mumbai's 4,500 Jews, there's been little controversy in India, where Holocaust awareness is limited, Hitler is regarded as just another historical figure and swastikas are just an ancient Hindu symbol, displayed all over to bring luck. There are only 5,500 Jews in all of India.