nation / world
In Antwerp, Haredi Orthodox Jew Overpowers, Tackles Attacker
It began like countless other antisemitic incidents in Antwerp: A man shouted
insults and made threatening gestures at members of the Belgian city’s large
Orthodox Jewish community, JTA reported.

But the incident on May 1 took an unexpected turn.

After the alleged perpetrator appeared to swing his arm to hit a Jewish man
in haredi Orthodox garb, the would-be victim lunged back and overpowered his
attacker, holding him on the ground until police took the suspect into custody.

The attack, which the Shomrim Jewish community security unit said was
antisemitic in nature, was filmed from a nearby balcony by a group of men, one
of whom said excitedly: “They’re going to fight.”
The spokesperson, who declined to state his name, also declined to provide
information on the men shown in the video.

He did say that at least 20 antisemitic incidents have occurred this year, “and
this has made Antwerp’s Jewish community much more vigilant to these occur-
rences.” Antwerp has about 18,000 Jews, most of them haredi Orthodox.

Mexican Couple Hosted a Nazi-themed Wedding
Mexican Jewish and antiracism groups are raising alarm after a couple married
in a Nazi-themed wedding there, JTA reported.

The wedding of the couple, who have been identified only by their first names,
Fernando and Josefina, took place in Tlaxcala, Mexico, on April 29 — the 77th
anniversary of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun.

In photos, the groom is dressed as a Nazi SS officer, and the bride is sitting on
top of a Volkswagen Beetle painted in a camouflage pattern, draped in a Nazi flag
and given a fake license plate with SS bolts.

Fernando, whom Mexican media said is a public official, said the couple chose
the Nazi theme because they venerate Hitler.

“I understand that for many people, Hitler represents genocide, racism and
violence. People, on the other hand, make judgments without having all of the
facts,” the groom told Mexican news outlet Milenio. “Hitler was a vegetarian
who rescued his country from famine and returned to his people the lands lost
during World War I. His friends and family adored him. We were led to believe
that Hitler was a racist, but he came to greet Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics.”
The photos went viral on social media, prompting condemnation by local
authorities and Jewish community leaders.

Israeli Unemployment Hits 50-year Low
Israel’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.9% in the first two weeks of April, down from
3.7% in the latter part of March, Globes reported, citing Central Bureau of Statistics data.

That marks a 50-year low.

The report said there were 150,000 job vacancies and only 120,000 job seekers.

Under a broader definition — which includes employees put on unpaid leave at
the start of the pandemic who haven’t yet returned to work — unemployment fell
to 4.4% in the first half of April; that’s down from 5.3% in the latter part of March.

Workforce participation of the working age population declined to 61% in the
first part of April, compared to 61.3% in latter March.

The Bank of Israel Research Department projects 3.5% unemployment by year’s end.

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Food Recall by Israeli Company Applies to Products Sold Abroad
Strauss Group, which is one of Israel’s largest food manufacturers, announced a
recall for products sold worldwide, including in the United States, The Times of
Israel reported.

There are 101 items sold in the U.S., including chocolate, snack products, chew-
ing gum, energy bars and candies.

Strauss initially recalled multiple chocolate products made by subsidiary Elite
because of possible salmonella contamination.

The Elite products were distributed in the kosher market nationally, primarily
in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California and Florida. Products also
were sold directly to customers via Amazon.com, Fresh Direct, Passover.com and
other retail online sites. JE
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
Jewish Exponent
PHILADELPHIA JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
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