Netanyahu Urges Jews To Move To Israel

After the terrorist attack outside a Jewish synagogue in Copenhagen, Denmark, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling for Jews to move to Israel.

“Israel is your home. We are preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration from Europe,” Netanyahu said in a statement.  Netanyahu made a similar statement to French Jews after the Charlie Hebdo and kosher deli attacks.

“Extremist Islamic terrorism has struck Europe again… Jews have been murdered again on European soil only because they were Jews,” Netanyahu said in the statement.  “To the Jews of Europe and to the Jews of the world I say that Israel is waiting for you with open arms.”

Israel is working on a $45 million plan to “encourage he absorption of immigrants from France, Belgium and Ukraine.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman sent his condolences to his Danish counterpart saying Israel “appreciates Denmark’s cooperation in maintaining the security of Israelis and Jews in Denmark.”

Midwife Denied Job For Being Pro-Life

A Swedish woman was denied a job with three different medical clinics because she would not perform abortions.

The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a brief with the court on behalf of Ellinor Grimmark.  Grimmark was subjected to verbal harassment because of her beliefs and openly denied employment because of those beliefs.

“No one deserves to be denied a job simply because she is pro-life,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Roger Kiska. “International laws to which Sweden is obligated recognize freedom of conscience and make clear that being pro-abortion cannot be a requirement for employment, nor can medical facilities force nurses and midwives with a conscience objection to assist with practices that can lead to an abortion.”

One of the defendants, Varnamo Hospital, had offered a position to Grimmark but withdrew it when they discovered she was pro-life.

The ADF brief points out that the Council of Europe has ruled “no person, hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion, the performance of a human miscarriage, or euthanasia or any act which could cause the death of a human fetus or embryo, for any reason.”

The case is currently pending.

Anti-Semitism Rising In France

Jewish leaders across France say that a “new anti-Semitism” is growing within the country.

The group cites four main factors in what they call an enhanced atmosphere of fear for French Jews.  The rise of far-right nationalist groups with Nazi sympathies, a deteriorating relationship between black Europeans and Jews, hard economic times and the soaring population of Muslims in France who carry traditional anti-Jew beliefs.

France, the home to the largest Jewish community in Europe, has seen an increase in violence against Jews.  Earlier this month, two Jewish youths were jumped and severely beaten as they were heading to synagogue in an eastern Paris suburb.  The man who launched a deadly attack on a Jewish museum in Brussels was French and had recently been in Syria with Islamic extremists.

Jewish citizens have been subjected in recent weeks to intimidation from residents who told “dirty Jewesses” that they have too many children and the homes of Jewish residents have had Stars of David spray-painted on the sides of their homes.

A 13-year-old girl told the Washington Post the atmosphere is enough to scare her from being alone with friends.

“I’m afraid that what happened in Toulouse will happen at my school too,” Michele said.  (The girl’s last name was withheld for security reasons.)  “I hear what people say about Jews. And I am scared.”

Storm Leaves 13 Dead Across Europe

A storm with wind gusts near 120 M.P.H. roared across Europe on Monday leaving at least 13 people dead.

At least three were killed when they were crushed under falling trees and the heavy rains and high winds swept at least one woman out to sea. A teen girl in England died when a tree fell on the mobile home her family was living in while their main house was renovated.

Power outages reached 42,000 in northern France and over 600,000 homes in England.

German meteorologists recorded a record 119 m.p.h. wind gust in the North Sea.

The storm’s intensity reached the point that German officials had to stop all train service in the country and all shipping ports were closed for the duration of the storm.

European Parliament Joins World Leaders In Calling For Christian Pastor’s Release

The European Parliament passed a resolution calling for Iran to release Pastor Saeed Abedini, imprisoned for over a year because of his Christian faith.

The resolution states the European Parliament “is deeply concerned about the fate of Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been detained for over a year and was sentenced to eight years of prison in Iran on charges related to his religious beliefs.”

The Christian Post reports that the resolution was received this week by the American Center for Law and Justice, who is representing the jailed pastor and his family.

Iran imprisoned the Christian pastor in 2012 for allegedly threatening national security. However, many world leaders have stated their beliefs his imprisonment is directly connected to his Christian faith.

IMF Calls For New Action Against Eurozone Crisis

The ongoing crisis in the Eurozone has led the International Monetary Fund to call for more action to help increase bank lending.

The IMF commended steps taken by European leaders to stabilize financial markets and said their actions decreased the likelihood of a breakup of the Euro. However, the IMF report said that further cuts to interest rates by the European Central Bank would be needed to boost growth. Continue reading

Danube River At Highest Level in 500 Years

Budapest, Hungary is facing historic flooding of the Danube River that is driving thousands from their homes after heavy rain across central Europe.

The river is expected to crest at 29.5, just a foot below the river’s flood fences at 30.5 feet. The previous record high was 28 feet in 2006. At least 1,200 people from 28 towns have been forced to leave their homes. Continue reading

EU Leaders Concerned About Europeans Fighting With Syrian Rebels

The head of anti-terrorism in the European Union is sounding concern regarding the number of Europeans fighting with extremists in Syria.

Gilles de Kerchove estimated the number of Europeans involved directly in the fighting at 500. He showed concern that these people would become radicalized during their time with Islamic rebels and then would pose a threat to Europe upon their return. Continue reading