New Anti-Israel Mag

SYDNEY — Australian Jewish leaders condemned a new Islamist magazine that calls Israel “illegal and illegitimate,” after it was sold on campuses in Sydney this month. The first edition of The Idialogue: An Islamic Ideological Viewpoint  reprints a 1935 fatwa against selling land to Zionists in Palestine, and has an article saying “the holiest of Islamic lands is in the hands of the unholiest – the illegal and illegitimate state of Israel,” the Australian newspaper reported. Members of the Islamist group Hizb-ut Tahrir – which is banned in much of Europe but not Britain or Australia – write and produce the magazine.

Jews Urge Boycott

NEW YORK — The umbrella body for U.S. Jewish public policy groups is calling for a boycott of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. In a statement aimed at the Bush administration, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs cited China’s human rights record and its close relations with the regime in Sudan, where thousands of civilians have been killed by government-allied militias in the Darfur region. By boycotting the opening ceremonies, “President [George W. Bush] would send an unmistakable message that the United States does not and will not countenance genocide,” JCPA chair Andrea Weinstein said.

ZOA Praises Hagee

NEW YORK — The Zionist Organization of America praised evangelical Pastor John Hagee’s support for Israel. The backing for the founder of Christians United for Israel came after Reform movement president Rabbi Eric Yoffie called on Jewish groups not to be allied with Hagee, saying he opposes territorial concessions. “In the end, when Israel is under enormous pressure with few defenders and supporters, Pastor Hagee’s support is critical,” said ZOA president Morton Klein.

Camp Plaques Stolen

PRAGUE —  Hundreds of bronze plaques were stolen from the cemetery at the former Terezin concentration camp this month. Officials from the Terezin memorial and museum said the theft of 327 plaques with the names of Shoah victims had more to do with the bronze than political statements. They added that security at the site north of Prague is lacking because of financial problems. Restoring the plaques with a cheaper resin material to discourage thieves would cost $64,000, they said.