Anti-Israel Conference Canceled in Australia

Sydney, Australia—A conference that was to “debate” charging Israel with war crimes was canceled, as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, after “revelations the convener had made anti-Semitic remarks.” Maqsood Alshams, a reputed human rights activist made inflammatory and highly derogatory anti-Semitic statements to Dr. Richard L. Benkin of Chicago in emails and over the telephone. Alshams had previously asserted that his passionate anti-Israeli animus was based on his commitment to human rights for all people. When Benkin asked him why he had no sympathy for the children of Sderot and other Jewish communities facing Hamas rocket fire, Alshams said it was because "you Jews are m**herf****ng b**t*rds." Alshams repeated these comments to Benkin and had made similarly revealing statements to others.