WARSAW (JTA) — Two Polish priests continue to espouse their controversial views.

The Rev. Ryszard Krol was suspended last week for his role in the controversy over crosses planted recently outside the Auschwitz death camp. He was placed on one-year sick leave after his parishioners erected one of the more than 300 crosses that have been set up outside Auschwitz since July. The crosses commemorate a spot where the Nazis shot about 150 Poles during the war.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Henryk Jankowski, who is known for his anti-Semitic remarks, said last week that Poles should not vote for Jews or Russians in next month's government elections. Jankowski, who is banned from preaching because of an anti-Semitic sermon he gave last year, made his remarks before a religious service began.

Australia finally OKs Jewish date service

SYDNEY (JTA) — An Australian panel ruled this week that a dating service catering exclusively to Jews is legal.

The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal decided in June that the service, run by a Melbourne woman, violated the country's laws that prevent discrimination based on such factors as ethnicity or religion.

The umbrella group known as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry then submitted an affidavit on the woman's behalf. The affidavit emphasized the small number of Australian Jews and the difficulties they have in meeting potential Jewish partners.

Approximately 100,000 Jews live in Australia.

The tribunal said it had received enough information that there was a "clear need in the community for a service that this agency would provide."

The new ruling, which is an exemption to the nation's laws, will last for three years.

Pro-gun Canadians donning yellow stars

EDMONTON, Canada (JTA) — Canadian Jewish officials are outraged that demonstrators wore yellow Jewish stars last week to protest federal gun-control legislation.

Ron Sorokin, an official with the Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Canadian Jewish Congress, characterized last week's protest as a highly misguided public-relations stunt that would probably backfire on the protesters.

"The use of Holocaust imagery to further the cause of gun lobbyists is totally offensive," Sorokin said. "These people should be ashamed of themselves."

The Canadian Jewish Congress has come out in favor of the legislation, which would strengthen gun control measures and mandate the registration of firearms.

"Gun control takes on added significance as white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups in Canada become increasingly well-armed with sophisticated weaponry," the CJC said in a statement.

Swiss end squabble with Israel's premier

OSLO (JTA) — Swiss officials say they've resolved a dispute with Israel over a letter written by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Swiss involvement in the Nazi gold affair.

Switzerland had considered canceling an upcoming conference aimed at improving bilateral economic ties as a result of the letter, in which Netanyahu thanked World Jewish Congress President Edgar Bronfman for convincing Swiss banks to agree to a $1.25 billion settlement of Holocaust-era claims.