International News
March 26, 2008
Itzhayek To Be Freed From Indian Jail
Montreal
JTA Wire Service
An Israeli-born Canadian businessman is being released from an Indian jail. Saul Itzhayek’s sister received word Tuesday morning that her brother was being sent home, his prison sentence reduced to time served. “I can’t tell you how excited I am right now,” Sylvia Itzhayek said. “I feel like a huge weight has been removed from my back.” Saul Itzhayek, of Montreal, has been imprisoned in India since last spring for a minor visa violation. Sources said his cell was infested with rats and scorpions, and the jail, in an impoverished region of the country near the Nepalese border, is populated by gangs and warlords. Bombs were set off last week and a warload found guilty of murdering 35 people was shot and killed. “Saul initiated a self-imposed lockdown in his cell, worried he would get killed in the crossfire,” his sister said. The Indian government was pressured to intervene by Irwin Cotler, a member of the Canadian Parliament and an internationally known human rights attorney, among others. Cotler brought an interfaith delegation to Ottawa to meet with India’s foreign affairs representatives. An interfaith demonstration demanding Itzhayek’s release was held last week in Montreal.
‘Nazirock’ Documentary Debuts
A new documentary film details the violent world of young Italian neo-fascists. “Nazirock,” directed by Claudio Lazzaro, shows fans chanting and giving the fascist salute at concerts by neo-Nazi bands extolling street violence. The 75-minute film includes interviews with members of neo-fascist groups, and shows footage of extremist rallies and clashes between right-wing soccer hooligans and police. “Nazirock” will be released on DVD on April 3—10 days before Italy’s general election. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera posted clips of “Nazirock” on its Web site, http://www.corriere.it/politica/08_marzo_21/nazirock_documentario_24efb340-f781-11dc-b233-0003ba99c667.shtml. Also see http://www.nazirock.it.
Croatian Law to Protect Jewish Cemeteries
The Croatian prime minister has agreed to change federal law to protect Jewish cemeteries. Croatian law currently allows for the dead who have no heirs to be disinterred and reburied after 30 years, should the owners of the cemetery land want to resell it. Disinterment generally is prohibited under Jewish law. A delegation from the Rabbinical Centre of Europe met Monday in Zagreb with Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Croatian President Stjepan Mesi and Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandi to discuss making changes to the law, according to Lubavitch.com. The Web site did not note any timetable for changing the law.
Interfaith Seder in Germany
The U.S. ambassador to Germany hosted an interfaith seder. The model seder hosted by William R. Timken Jr. and his wife, Sue, was held March 19—one month before the Passover holiday begins. The event, which the American Jewish Committee office in Berlin helped coordinate, was led by Berlin Rabbi Chaim Rozwaski. Berlin Chabad Rabbi Yehudah Teichtal provided kosher meals for guests who requested them. Some 60 guests included Catholic, Protestant and Muslim leaders.
Kosher in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan now has a kosher restaurant. “Kosher” opened its doors in Almaty this week, offering a range of meat dishes to a Jewish community of 30,000 that is experiencing a revival in the Central Asian country. Previously, observant Kazakh Jews had to find their food at outlets such as the Chabad House or the Israeli embassy. Kazakhstan became the butt of international jokes when British-Jewish comedian Sasha Baron Cohen created Borat, an anti-Semitic Kazakh journalist. But the predominatly Muslim country has long professed its tolerance for religious minorities.