SAO PAULO (JTA) — Terrorist leaders, including members of Hezbollah, met recently in South America to reportedly plan attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets, according to CNN.
The September meeting took place in the border area where Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil meet.
The lawless tri-border region is considered a haven for arms traffickers, smugglers and counterfeiters. Home to about 20,000 Lebanese Muslims, it has been described by the U.S. State Department as a “focal point for Islamic extremism in Latin America.”
Grenade found at Jewish club
BUENOS AIRES (JTA) — An anti-tank grenade was found at a Jewish club in the Argentine city of La Plata.
The unexploded grenade found Nov. 8 at the city’s Max Nordeau Jewish Club had been in a cookie box.
It was accompanied by a note that read, “Jews out of the neighborhood.” About 250 Jews are members of the club, which is dedicated to sports and cultural activities.
Italy’s exiled royalty condemn Mussolini
ROME (JTA) — The heirs to Italy’s throne marked the end of their exile on Sunday by condemning the race laws of dictator Benito Mussolini.
The government announced last month that heirs of the Savoy family could re-enter their ancestral homeland on Nov. 10, after Parliament voted to end the exile, which was imposed as punishment for collaborating with Mussolini.
In a statement, the Savoys issued a condemnation of King Victor Emmanuel III’s decision to sign a racist law aimed at Jews, calling it an “indelible stain” on the history of the Savoy dynasty.
The law, signed Nov. 10, 1938, led to the eventual deportation of thousands of Jews during World War II. The statement was signed by Prince Victor, grandson of Emmanuel III.
Aussie court dismisses Shoah denier appeal
SYDNEY (JTA) — Australia’s Federal Court dismissed a Holocaust-denier’s appeal of a ruling banning her from distributing racist material.
In September, the ruling against Olga Scully was believed to be the first time a conviction rested on the country’s hate crimes laws.
The latest decision closed off “her last avenue of appeal and marks the total end of this matter,” said Jeremy Jones, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Canada probes Nazi guard’s fitness
TORONTO (JTA) — A Canadian court is determining whether a former Nazi prison guard is fit to face an extradition hearing.
The wife of Michael Seifert testified Nov. 5 that his mental condition deteriorated after he suffered a fall earlier this year. Seifert, 78, is a former SS officer convicted in absentia in Italy for raping, torturing and killing prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
A Canadian citizen of Ukrainian origin, Seifert faces possible extradition to Italy to serve a life sentence. The Canadian government has already begun the process of stripping him of his citizenship.