Wiesenthal head gets symbolic fine

A Paris court sentenced an official at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in France to a fine of one euro for defamation. Director for International Relations Shimon Samuels was sentenced last week. He had been charged with defamation after accusing the Committee of Welfare and Aid to the Palestinians of financing terrorism and sending funds to families of suicide bombers.Samuels said he will appeal the fine, the equivalent of about $1.30. “My intention was to report the thorough investigation which I had undertaken over the last two years,” he said in a statement. “I am certain that the rigorous findings that I provided cannot be seriously contradicted by any elements of my defense or the arguments of the CBSP. I will abide by my duty, in this case, to alert donors wishing to aid needy Palestinians to the possible betrayal of their generous intent.”