The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum released a statement Monday night criticizing Fox News host Greg Gutfeld for saying Jews had to be useful to survive Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. Gutfeld made the comments on Monday’s episode of “The Five,” as the panelists were discussing new Florida educational standards which directs public schools to teach that “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” Co-host Jessica Tarlov made comparisons between these guidelines and saying Jews derive some benefit from being imprisoned in concentration camps, arguing both statements are harmful to their respective groups. Gutfeld replied that Vik Frankl, author of “Man’s Search for Meaning,” talked about how utility kept people alive in concentration camps. The Auschwitz Museum reiterated that although that may be true in some cases, the ultimate goal of the Nazis was to eliminate all Jews and being useful did not guarantee safety. 

 

Later in the week, Media Matters for America released an article claiming Matteo Cina, a production assistant at Fox News, posted antisemitic comments on his TikTok page, including “it is hard to talk about the Holocaust without discussing Jewish presence in Banking.”

 

Users online amplified the message from the Auschwitz Museum while also voicing their outrage at both Gutfeld and Cina. Many called on Fox News to take action and criticized the lack of network response. 

 

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) promoted in his office congressional newsletter a fringe website known for spreading antisemitism, including calling the Holocaust “the Holohoax” and urging readers to “stand up for Hitler.” Gosar was involved in a nearly identical controversy in April when he promoted a different website with antisemitic undertones in his newsletter. 

 

After their soccer game against New York City FC on Sunday, the Mexican Atlas FC team posted a tweet which included a quote from Nazi minister of propaganda Joseph Goebbels. The tweet was posted in response to users online and media pundits who suggested a goal scored by NYCFC, which was ultimately removed for offside, should have counted. The tweet has since been removed and the team released an apology.

 

 

American singer Tony Bennett passed away last week at 97. Bennett was one of the most critically acclaimed performers of his time, earning 20 Grammy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

Many people memorialized Bennett on social media by highlighting his extraordinary life outside of music and applauding his impact for both the Black and Jewish communities. During World War II, Bennett was among those who liberated the Dachau concentration camp, saving the lives of thousands of Jews including author Elie Wiesel. Once established as one of America’s preeminent singers, Bennett advocated for Black musicians in the 1950s and the 1960s, and marched with Martin Luther King Jr.

Federal prosecutors announced that criminal campaign finance charges have been dropped against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Users online have expressed their disappointment and outrage at this decision with many suggesting he had the charges dropped due to his white privilege. The conversation was then hijacked by individuals who began claiming the charges were dropped not because Bankman-Fried is White, but because he is Jewish. The phrase “he's Jewish” began trending on Twitter Thursday night as users began claiming he has Jewish privilege. Andrew Torba, the founder of Gab, an alt-right social media platform, is one of the individuals that contributed to this conversation. 

 

 

The NAACP convention is taking place in Boston this weekend for the first time in 40 years. On Sunday, FCAS Founder Robert Kraft will join Professor Henry Louis Gates, rapper and criminal justice reform advocate Meek Mill, and Fox Sports anchor Joy Taylor for a conversation on racism, antisemitism, and building bridges to fight all hate titled, “Hate Has No Home Here.” 

 

This important conversation will delve into issues faced by Black and Jewish communities historically and today. It will also be an opportunity for candid discussion about the significance of standing together in solidarity against hate in all forms. Racism and antisemitism have been strongly intertwined for decades and throughout history. Positive change has taken place when Black and Jewish communities are united. 

 

To live stream the event click the link here. 

 

 

Today, Adidas announced a further release of Yeezy inventory to be available throughout the month of August across the world. As part of the rollout, Adidas will include Blue Squares pins with selected products sold directly by Adidas in North America. The Blue Square was established by the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign as the universal symbol to combatting antisemitism. This initiative is part of a growing partnership between Adidas and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism to fight all forms of hate. To request your own Blue Square pins visit fcas.org/pins.

 

 

 

 

 

info@fcas.org | fcas.org