IN THE MEDIA
May 28, 2023
Biden’s antisemitism plan reaffirms the IHRA definition
The White House strategy on countering antisemitism may not have been perfect, but it is the most comprehensive national plan to counter Jew-hatred in all its forms, which also reaffirmed United States embrace and adoption of the IHRA working definition. ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky & Attorney Mark Goldfeder provide an in-depth analysis of the U.S. action plan, in this JNS Op-ed.
May 15, 2023
Calgary Peace Prize going to Palestinian poet who spews hate against Jews
It is unfathomable that
Mount Royal University would award a 'peace prize' to someone like Mohammed El-Kurd, an unrepentant antisemite, who spews hate against Jews. The University needs to disassociate from the prize & revoke the award!
April 25, 2023
Israel's Miraculous 75th Birthday
'Israel at 75: A story of hope, courage, and resilience; an ancient people returning to their ancestral homeland.'
Read this inspiring Op-Ed in Newsweek by ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky, published on the occasion of Israel's 75th Independence day!
April 17, 2023
i24 interview with ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky on our campaign calling out the UN Rapporteur's bias and antisemitism
Join our CEO Arsen Ostrovsky on i24, as he discusses our campaign demanding the dismissal of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, over her endorsement of Palestinian terror, and relentless antisemitism and extreme anti-Israel bias.
March 28, 2023
How Iran's Tentacles Are Reaching Into Europe
Op-Ed by ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky and Chair of IMPAC, Patricia Teitelbaum, on how Iran's tentacles are reaching into Europe, through a deep-seated and systematic axis-of-terror with PFLP and Palestinian group Samidoun.
We call on the EU to take immediate steps, to immediately designate Samidoun and their senior leaders onto the EU Terror List.
February 8, 2023
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky interviewed on ILTV about 'intifada' rally at University of Michigan
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky was interviewed on ILTV about the intifada rally held at the University of Michigan, and the University leadership's refusal to condemn this antisemitic rhetoric and abhorrent call for violence against Jewish students.
January 24, 2023
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky interview on surge in antisemitism on campus
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky interviewed on ILTV about the explosive surge in antisemitism on campuses across United States, including calls for intifada at University of Michigan, exclusion of Zionists at UC Berkeley and Harvard offering fellowship to former HRW head Ken Roth.
December 15, 2022
US education department opens antisemitism investigation at UC Berkeley, where pro-Israel advocates alleged ‘Jew-free zones’
The federal government is weighing in, as the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights says it will investigate claims that the school hasn’t done enough to protect its Jewish students — in a similar manner to the department’s investigations at other universities where watchdogs have raised alarm about campus debates over Israel.
November 23, 2022
Why We Filed a Civil Rights Claim Against UC Berkeley Law School
“Why did we file this complaint against the UC Berkeley School of Law? Because we will use every tool at our disposal to fight against antisemitism.”
Read more from this op-Ed by ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky and Attorney Gabriel Groisman in Newsweek, on why we filed a landmark civil rights claim against UC Berkeley
November 16, 2022
180 NGO's sign a letter calling on Twitter to deal with the antisemitism on their platform
The ILF is quoted in this The Jerusalem Post / JPost.com article on our global campaign with 180 NGOs around the world, calling on Elon Musk to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and tackle the explosive scourge of Jew hatred rampant on Twitter.
November 6, 2022
Activists demand Amazon remove antisemitic film, books shared by Kyrie Irving
ILF is proud to be leading this campaign calling on Amazon.com to remove this antisemitic, hate-filled and Holocaust distorting film!
Read more about the campaign in the The Jerusalem Post / JPost.com below.
October 4, 2022
A Legal Tsunami, ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky on ILTV over Booking.com 'label'
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky interviewed on ILTV News, how Booking.com looked at Ben & Jerry's & AirBnB BDS campaigns, took heed of legal (and financial) repercussions & decided not to acquiesce to BDS. An important deterrent effect, which ILF was proud to play a part!
August 26, 2022
‘Prejudice Against The Jewish People’: State Treasurers Blast Major Financial Firm For Alleged Anti-Israel Bias
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky is quoted in The Daily Caller on the Morningstar BDS campaign against Israel:
"Morningstar has essentially been engaging in BDS practices and economic warfare, by deceptively cloaking its systematic anti-Israel bias under cover of their ESG policy."
July 31, 2022
‘Despicable New Low:’ Head of U.N. Probe Against Israel Under Fire
"Despicable New Low", ILF is quoted in this Breitbart News
interview about the UNHRC
member Miloon Kothari's indefensible antisemitic remarks about "the Jewish lobby" control, and CoI Chair Pillay's shameful defense of him.
July 26, 2022
BDS: Divided in strategy, united in hate
ILF’s Head of Operations Asher Stern has published this op-Ed
, exposing how, especially in wake of Boston BDS 'Mapping Project', BDS might be divided in strategy ... but united in the same visceral Jew-hate.
June 10, 2022
US Restores Direct Communication With Palestinians in Jerusalem, Signaling an Upgrade in Ties
The Biden administration on Thursday reopened a direct line of communication to the Palestinian Authority that was severed under former President Donald Trump.
“After a wave of Palestinian terror in Jerusalem, the last thing the Biden Administration ought to be doing is rewarding Palestinian leadership for this incitement and violence, while entertaining their fanciful intent to divide Jerusalem and deny Jewish connection to the city,” Human rights attorney Arsen Ostrovsky told CBN News.
June 9, 2022
Critics Blast New UN Report Condemning Israel for 11-Day War With Hamas
The United Nations is out with another report on Israel that is being condemned by critics as biased and one-sided. This one, released by the Human Rights Council, looks into the war between Israel and Hamas in May 2021.
“It’s unprecedented in terms of scope, in terms of geographic location and most significant in terms of timing. It’s meant to look at the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict stemming from the war last May but is something that can go back to before 1948 when Israel was established and in perpetuity into the future as well,” said Arsen Ostrovsky, a human rights lawyer and CEO of the International Legal Forum.
May 18, 2022
Legal Coalition: U.N. Probe ‘Unprecedented Assault’ on Israel
A global coalition of more than 25 organizations on Tuesday released a report outlining why a United Nations probe against Israel was “singularly unprecedented, unjust and completely lacking in impartiality or any legal basis,” and called for its chair, anti-Israel Navi Pillay, to recuse herself.
Led by the International Legal Forum (ILF), notes that the UNHRC resolution establishing the Commission did not even mention the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror group, the 4,500 rockets launched at Israel during that war, or Israel’s right to self-defense.
April 10,2022
World Is Silent as Palestinian Rioters Torch Joseph’s Tomb
Human rights lawyer and CEO of the International Legal Forum Arsen Ostrovsky slammed the international community, including the U.N.’s agency for preserving heritage sites, for their failure to condemn the vandalism.
“The attack by Palestinian vigilantes on Joseph’s Tomb, one of the holiest sites in Judaism, was a despicable act of desecration, made even more heinous coming on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover,” Ostrovsky told Breitbart.
March 22, 2022
International Legal Forum quoted in JNS on Israel 'apartheid' allegations
In the article, ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky noted that charges of 'apartheid' against Israel are “not grounded in law or motivated by desire to advance peace, but rather by intellectual dishonesty and the simple refusal to accept Israel’s very right to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people.”
March 9, 2022
ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky slams comparisons between Ukraine and Palestinians
ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky was interviewed on ILTV (6 Mar 2022), responding to outrageous comparisons between the situation in Ukraine and the Palestinians, noting that such comparisons are absolutely absurd and that there has hardly been a single tragedy or cause that some Palestinian activists have not shamefully appropriated.
January 9, 2022
Over 100 artists sign letter against anti-Israel boycott of Sydney Festival
ILF's Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky, is quoted in the Jerusalem Post about the Israel boycott at the Sydney Festival:
“Dance, art and culture, should be a bridge for peace, dialogue and inclusiveness – not hatred, bullying and bigotry, such as displayed by those calling to boycott the Israeli performance at the Sydney Festival.”
October 24, 2021
#BREAKING: Israel declares leading Palestinian NGOs to be PFLP-affiliates!
The International Legal Forum (ILF) has long held that Palestinian NGOs like Addameer, Al Haq, DCI-P, Samidoun & UAWC are terror groups masquerading as 'human rights' organizations. This designation, which we applaud the Israeli government for taking, will greatly assist in the fight against terror, by helping reduce the flow of funds to these groups and their ability to carry out attacks and incite to violence.
September 30, 2021
ILF Chair & CEO interviewed about EU threat to cut aid to UNRWA
ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky was interviewed on ILTV News about EU threat to cut aid to UNRWA, unless the UN agency reforms to remove antisemitism and incitement from Palestinian schoolbooks and the Palestinians begins to teach about tolerance, peace and respect. It would appear even the EU is saying 'enough is enough'!
August 25, 2021
Conversation on Zionism
Join our Chair and CEO Arsen Ostrovsky, as he is interviewed by Russell Robinson of Jewish National Fund - USA, in this inspiring conversation on Zionism, where they discuss the history of modern Zionism, its assault in the international legal arena and the upcoming Durban conference.
August 5, 2021
ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky discussing latest Ben & Jerry's developments.
ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky was interviewed on ILTV News today, discussing the latest on Ben & Jerry's, including yesterday's open letter by a group of franchisees talking about their substantial financial cost ... and personal toll as a result of the boycott, and what's happening on the legal front!
July 11, 2021
Praise from Israel for Chancellor Sebastian Kurz: Austria is boycotting the controversial Durban Conference (German)
A wide ranging interview from ILF Chair and CEO, touching on everything from Austrias brave decision to withdraw from the antisemetic Durban IV conferance, the relationship between Israel and Austria and the rise of antisemitism in Europe.
June 29, 2021
ILF Chair and CEO on Akhbar TV to discuss the opening of the Israeli Embassy in the UAE
ILF Chair and CEO, Arsen Ostrovsky, was interviewed by a leading Emirate TV news channel, (أخبار الآن - Akhbar Al Aan), discussing the historic visit to UAE by Israel's Foreign Minister, the opening of Israel's Embassy in Abu Dhabi and why the future between Israel - UAE relations is so exciting!
June 21, 2021
UK confirms Durban conference boycott over ‘historic concerns’ on antisemitism
Jewish News revealed earlier this month how Boris Johnson’s government would join the US, Australia and Canada in refusing to attend the 20th anniversary of the Durban conference.
Arsen Ostrovsky, Chair and CEO of The International Legal Forum (ILF), welcomed the news before he is scheduled to speak at Monday’s ZF event on the dangers of the conference.
He said Britain “should be applauded”, adding that the “Durban 2001 conference.. descended into an unhinged display of Jew hatred and virulent antisemitism, setting the foundation for the mainstreaming of the kind of violence against Jews we have witnessed on the streets of London”.
June 8, 2021
Major Jewish leaders join new initiative that focuses blame for the deaths of children in Gaza on Hamas
“During Operation ‘Guardian of the Walls’, Israel was fighting on multiple battlefronts, with the online campaign being no less crucial. In this regard, we were essentially engaged in a ‘war of narratives, fighting against Palestinian propaganda and a vitriolic campaign of hate against the Jewish state, which was often aided and abetted by some elements of mainstream media, who sought to elevate Hamas and apply a dangerous moral equivalence with Israel’s inalienable right to self-defense,” said Arsen Ostrovsky, CEO of The International Legal Forum and a leading expert in digital diplomacy.
May 20, 2021
Prominent Israelis take on mantle of public diplomacy during Gaza hostilities
Unofficial pro-Israel advocates come together to improve the state's public image, battle the misinformation and hate speech that have flooded the media since the beginning of Operation Guardian of the Walls. Our chair and CEO Arsen Ostrovsky is one of them.
May 17, 2021
ILF Chair and CEO Arsen Ostrovsky appeared on Al Jazeera English 'inside Story'.
Both people of Israel and Gaza deserve a better future, but it is the Hamas, a jihadist terror organization, that is holding both hostage-hiding behind civilians in Gaza , while firing rockets at civilians in Israel'.
May 12, 2021
ILF Chair & CEO Arsen Ostrovsky, being interviewed on WION TV (India) about the situation in Israel.
As Arsen noted, about 1.5 million Israelis (17% of the population) has been within firing range of Hamas & Palestinian Islamic Jihad rockets fired from Gaza. This is the equivalent of 230 million people in India. NO country should tolerate this!
April 28,2021
‘Human Rights Watch’s long war against Israel.’
The International Legal Forum’s Russell Shalev writes in JNS.org how the Human Rights Watch report claiming Israel is engaged in ‘apartheid’ practices, is just “another shot fired in the battle to disenfranchise the Jewish people and criminalize the Jewish state.”
April 21,2021
War of the words: The conflict between definitions of antisemitism
This article in the Jerusalem Post deals with the 'Academics for IHRA' global initiative, its importance in standing up against the rise of antisemitism world wide. With quotes from our Chair and CEO Arsen Ostrovsky.
February 10,2021
ICC’s historic declaration: We are a political entity.
The International Criminal Court at The Hague finally reached its decision on the Palestinian jurisdiction issue on Friday, making it public after months and months of waiting and long after its pre-determined due date. ILF Chair and CEO Yifa Segal offers insight into this critical issue and proposes how, despite the fact that the court is clearly bias, this could offer a unique opportunity.
January 17,2021
BDS has Lost Its Glory
With 2021 underway, the International Legal Forum (ILF) has published a new report detailing the latest global trends in the realms of antisemitism and delegitimization of Israel.
ILF Founder and Director Yifa Segal spoke with Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) Editor-in-Chief Barney Breen-Portnoy this week to provide her insights on the current state of affairs in the ongoing fight against hatred of Jews.
December 3,2020
In Blow to BDS Movement, Norway to Ignore UN 'Blacklist'
The Norwegian government has decided to ignore the United Nation's "blacklist" – of over 100 companies across the globe said to be complicit in violating Palestinian human rights by operating in Israeli settlements – and allow a tourism company that appears on the list to provide services to government and other organizations inside Norway. Attorney Yifa Segal, director of the International Legal Forum, called Norway's decision "an important step in the war on the injustice known as the 'blacklist.'"
January 22,2020
Once Again Showing the ICC's Lack of Credibility Due to its Bias Against Israel
The ICC is notorious for its anti-Israel bias. In this article Director Segal not only calls the ICC out on that but also shows how the fact that it seems to only focus on Israel in fact harms any possible ‘credibility’ it may have.
January 08, 2020
Major Victory Against Terror Proxy Samidoun
Mastercard, Visa and American Express have all removed the option to give money to Samidoun, after the Forum presented extensive evidence of Samidoun's ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PLFP). The move follows similar action taken earlier this year by Donorbox, Paypal and Plaid, helping to cut funding to the group.
September 24, 2019
Fighting to allow peoples to maintain their ancient traditions in modern Europe.
The ILF along with a coalition of Islamic, Christian, and Jewish organizations appealed the European Court of Justice demanding that a Belgian ban on kosher slaughter be canceled. The results of this hearing will not only affect the law in Belgium but could also influence Kosher slaughter laws across the EU. Members of the coalition include legal organizations, human rights organizations, and organizations representing Jews, Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists from around the world.
Devember 16, 2018
ILF Calls for Release of Arab Resident Arrested by Palestinian Authority
The International Legal Forum started a campaign to get European Union countries and human rights groups to pressure the Palestinian Authority to release an east Jerusalem resident it arrested on the basis of selling land to Jews.
December 25, 2016
The UN’s inherent paradox - is it time to start anew?
Following the political struggle being waged by the President of the Palestinian Football Association (FIFA) Jibril Rajoub in an attempt to boycott Israeli teams, the ILF has filed a complaint to FIFA's ethics committee calling for the removal of Rajoub from his position, on the basis of racism, incitement to violence and the endangerment of Israeli team members.
May 16, 2023
Israeli NGO calls on EU to demand PA removes antisemitic material from textbooks
The International Legal Forum (ILF), called on the EU’s foreign policy chief to “unequivocally demand” that the Palestinian Authority remove all antisemitic material from their textbooks.
The ILF, sent a letter to Joseph Borrell after he refused to block EU aid to the PA despite its textbooks containing antisemitic material.
May 14, 2023
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky interview on CBN News about conflict with Islamic Jihad
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky on CBN News explaining why there is no moral or legal equivalence between the intentionally terrorist actions of Islamic Jihad and the necessary self-defensive response of the IDF.
April 24, 2023
The UN must dismiss its 'Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories’
Following our campaign calling on UN to fire UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese over her relentless antisemitism and anti-Israel bias, our CEO Arsen Ostrovsky has published this Op-Ed in the Jewish Chronicle, outlining how Ms. Albanese is not only incapable of calling out terrorism against Israel, but is in actual fact legitimizing and endorsing it!
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April 9, 2023
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky in in-depth interview with 'InFocus' Magazine.
ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky was featured in this in-depth interview with Jewish Policy Center's 'InFocus' Magazine, discussing a wide array of topics, from antisemitism, anti-Zionism, BDS, UN, lawfare and our work at The International Legal Forum.
We believe their title "Jews Are Not Mere Victims" is particularly apt, especially as we mark the holiday of Passover!
February 23, 2023
Groundbreaking ILF Victory Cutting Funds to Palestinian Terror Group
“Money is like oxygen for terror groups and by severely impairing their capacity to fundraise, we remove their ability to raise funds for the purposes of carrying out acts of terror and violence." ~ ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky.
See more in this Breitbart report on ILF's leading role in shutting down the ability to make donations to an Arizona-based charity ('Alliance for Global Justice'), which had been masquerading as a charity, but acting as a fiscal sponsor to Palestinian PFLP-affiliated terror group, Samidoun, and why this represents a major, groundbreaking victory in the war on terror!
February 8, 2023
American Bar Association removes reference to IHRA in antisemitism resolution
“The International Legal Forum, a global network of over 4,000 lawyers and activists committed to combating antisemitism in the international legal arena, expressed deep disappointment that the ABA cowered to anti-Israel extremists by rejecting the endorsement of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.”
See more in the Jerusalem Post coverage on our response to the American Bar Association's antisemitism resolution and their rejection of the IHRA working definition.
January 23, 2023
Does Harvard's 'Veritas' apply to Israel?
Op-Ed in by ILF CEO Arsen Ostrovsky on Harvard’s shameful caving in to former HRW head, Ken Roth. Instead of taking a principled stand against antisemitism, the Harvard Kennedy School has just normalized and rewarded Roth's Jew-hatred with a prestigious Fellowship.
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