Roundup of world Jewish news

From Argentinian dictators to dirty Jewish toddlers and a kickboxer’s tattoos, we bring you the latest in Jewish news from around the world – dated 20 May 2013.
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Czech Republic

A Hungarian martial arts fighter has been banned from a tournament in the Czech capital of Prague because of his ‘Death to Jews’ tattoo. Attila Petrovszki, a kickboxer, also has tattoos of Hitler and swastikas on his body. His agent says the tattoos are a remnant from his troubled youth.

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France

A Jewish pre-school in a Paris suburb has been shut down after authorities launched a surprise inspection and found it was unlicensed. Officials said the school, which served about 50 toddlers, had ‘corroded walls, faulty electrics, unqualified staff and deplorable hygienic conditions’.

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Ireland

A woman from Cork has become the first person from Ireland to be named Righteous Among Nations for her work saving Jewish children during WWII. Mary Elmes, a nurse who was honoured by Yad Vashem, hid children in her car and drove them over the French border to the Pyrenees.

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Cuba

An American-Jewish man imprisoned in Cuba for illegally connecting the island’s Jewish community to the internet has settled his $60 million lawsuit with the US government. Alan Gross, 64, was arrested in 2009. He had said that he was not made fully aware of the risks.

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Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has revealed that his grandparents were Sephardic Jews. It came as the new leader sought to deflect criticism that his government was hostile to Jews and to Israel. Maduro was elected earlier this year following the death of Hugo Chavez.