Washington

2025-05-22

حادث جديد تشهده العاصمة الأمريكية عبر إطلاق نار قرب المعبد اليهودى والذى أسفر عن مقتل 2 من موظفى السفارة الإسرائيلية فى انعكاس صريح لتمدد حالة الغضب الشعبى تجاه الانتهاكات التى يرتكبها الاحتلال الاسرائيلى فى الأراضى الفلسطينية لتتجاوز شعوب المنطقة العربية والإسلامية. ويأتى الحادث بالتزامن مع فعالية أقيمت في المتحف اليهودي بواشنطن، وذكرت الشرطة الأمريكية أنها تمكنت من تحديد هوية المشتبه به، وهو إلياس رودريغيز، البالغ من العمر 31 عامًا، والذي تم اعتقاله بعد وقت قصير من وقوع الحادث. وبحسب شهود عيان، شوهد رودريغيز يتجول بالقرب من المتحف حيث وقع الهجوم، قبل أن يفتح النار على الضحيتين، دون سابق إنذار. وأكد الرئيس التنفيذي للجنة اليهودية الأمريكية تيد دويتش، أن اللجنة كانت تستضيف فعالية في المتحف الواقع شمال غربي واشنطن.   Pam Bondi and the FBI have responded to a deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C., where individuals connected to the Israeli embassy were targeted. The shooting took place in front of the museum, just behind the FBI field office and the U.S.… — Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra)   وأفادت الشرطة بأن رودريغيز هتف خلال اعتقاله بعبارة: "الحرية لفلسطين"، إلا أن السلطات أكدت أن التحقيقات لا تزال جارية، وأنه لم يتم حتى الآن تصنيف الحادث كعمل إرهابي أو جريمة كراهية بشكل رسمي. من جهتها، أكدت وزيرة الأمن الداخلي كريستي نويم، في منشور على حسابها في إكس، مقتل موظفين في السفارة الإسرائيلية بشكل عبثي قرب المتحف اليهودي في العاصمة. وأضافت أن التحقيقات متواصلة، مؤكدة أن السلطات "ستقدم هذا الجاني الفاسد إلى العدالة"، وفق تعبيرها فيما اعتبر السفير الإسرائيلي لدى الأمم المتحدة داني دانون، أن الهجوم عمل إرهابي معاد للسامية من جهته، قال الرئيس الإسرائيلي، إن الولايات المتحدة وإسرائيل ستظلان متحدتان في الدفاع عن شعبيهما وقيمهما المشتركة.   وصرح وزير الخارجية الإسرائيلي أنه يتابع عن كثب مجريات التحقيق، وأنه على تواصل مستمر مع المسؤولين الأمريكيين، مشيرا إلى أهمية التعاون المشترك لضمان محاسبة المسؤول عن هذا العمل. أما وزير الخارجية الأمريكي، فأكد في بيان رسمي: "لن نتهاون مع أي تهديد يستهدف الدبلوماسيين أو المدنيين على أراضينا، وسنلاحق مرتكبي هذا الهجوم ونقدمهم للعدالة." وأعرب الرئيس الأمريكى دونالد ترامب، عن تعازيه لعائلات الضحايا، معتبرًا أن الحادث يعكس تصاعد ظاهرة معاداة السامية، ومشددا على ضرورة اتخاذ إجراءات رادعة لمنع تكرار مثل هذه الهجمات. وتشهد واشنطن منذ الحادث تعزيزًا أمنيًا ملحوظًا حول البعثات الدبلوماسية، في وقت تؤكد فيه السلطات الأمريكية أن أمن الدبلوماسيين والمقيمين الأجانب على الأراضي الأمريكية "خط أحمر".   ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-09

(JTA) — Police in Washington, DC cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment from the campus of and arrested 33 people early Wednesday, hours before a Congressional hearing was set to pressure local leaders on their response to the protest. Shortly after the arrests, the Republican-led congressional committee canceled the hearing. Lawmakers had planned to grill DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and police chief Pamela Smith on why, prior to Wednesday morning’s arrests, the district had not clamped down on “unlawful activity and antisemitism” at the encampment. Washington police had previously rejected the university’s pleas to intervene on campus, citing the optics of disciplining protesters. The arrests also follow the publication of dueling faculty letters supporting and opposing the encampment. One of the professors who had circulated the anti-encampment letter backed the arrests.  “It’s always upsetting when police have to get involved in this way, but I think there was no alternative,” Daniel Schwartz, a professor of Jewish history at told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Their presence was a disturbance to many students, especially given the location. Final exams were being moved.” THE TRUSTEES GATE at George Washington University (Illustrative). (credit: Sabrina Soffer) The letter Schwartz and a non-Jewish GWU colleague, Eric Arnesen, had circulated was signed by more than 100 university faculty and staff, many of them Jewish and most from the DC area. The letter endorsed protecting peaceful protest but expressed concern about the allegations of antisemitism and said the demonstrations weren’t representative of the campus as a whole. “While we oppose any attempt to ascribe antisemitic intent to all or even most of the protesters, it is indisputable that there have been numerous cases of harassment, abuse, and even physical violence against Jewish students on college campuses since October 7,” Schwartz and Ernesen’s open letter states. Later, they write, “We agree that student speech and protest should be respected — provided they follow reasonable university regulations and do not veer into the realm of harassment.” A separate open letter from area faculty that had expressed support for the encampments, and downplayed reports of antisemitism among their participants, was signed by more than 500 people. Universities across the country have struggled to find the right response to the encampments, which have gone up at dozens of schools over the past few weeks. Some have struck deals to clear them peacefully, and others have sent in law enforcement to break them up, leading to more than 2,500 arrests nationwide.  Jewish students and faculty on campuses with encampments have reported being harassed by protesters and say they create a hostile atmosphere, while many of the protests have featured Jewish contingents. Protests at GWU over the Israel-Hamas war have often taken on a more aggressive tone than similar campus protests. Last fall the school suspended its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, and the White House specifically called out the activists’ actions, after “Glory to our martyrs” was projected onto the side of a campus building named after a Jewish donor.  The campus had calmed down since the fall, but tensions flared up again with the recent encampments, Schwartz said. Recent encampment behavior has reportedly included blocking students’ ability to move through campus, replacing an American flag with a Palestinian flag and putting a keffiyeh onto a campus statue of George Washington. GWU President Ellen Granberg has also been a direct target of the protesters, both at fundraisers and on campus.  When the encampments sprang up in late April, GW Hillel called for the university “to take all needed actions to maintain a safe campus environment for all,” calling them “an embrace of hate” and stating, “We say unequivocally that no student’s rights to be safe, to pursue their education, and to be proud Jews should be compromised in response to another student’s actions.” Days before the arrests, Granberg made a plea to DC law enforcement to help manage the “illegal” protests. Both Granberg and police said they gave the protesters several warnings to leave the encampment before arrests were made and offered an alternative protest site. Granberg wrote in a message to campus that the administration had “conducted regular and sustained dialogues” with encampment leaders. “I fully support and encourage our community to speak out and engage in controversial and critical dialogues on these crucial issues — as long as they occur within the limits of our university’s policies and the District’s laws,” she wrote. “However, what is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university’s policies. The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially Prior to their arrest, members of the recent encampment at the school chanted slogans linking the Israel Defense Forces to the Ku Klux Klan, according to the Hatchet, the student newspaper.  Granberg “deserves a lot of credit for how she’s handled this,” Schwartz said. “And I’m certain she’ll be taking an enormous amount of flak, not only from students but from faculty.” ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-08

Leaders from three of the country’s largest public school districts testified Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill in a contentious hearing on antisemitism, before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Hearings held by the committee have sparked transformations in the national campus landscape in the past. A December hearing, in which three elite university presidents declined to determine whether violated school rules, led two of them to resign. Last month, a tent protest timed to the testimony of Columbia University’s president launched a controversial nationwide movement, widespread unrest, and arrests on dozens of campuses. David Banks, chancellor of New York City’s public school system was joined by Berkeley Unified Schools Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel and Montgomery County School Board President Karla Silvestre.Also testifying was Emerson Sykes, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, whose focus includes First Amendment speech protections. Each of these district leaders faced mounting scrutiny over their handling of antisemitic incidents – by both students and staff – in the wake , incidents that have made national headlines.Columbia University President Nemat ''Minouche'' Shafik testifies before a House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on ''Columbia University's Response to Antisemitism,'' on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, April 17, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/KEN CEDENO) In their testimonies, the leaders spoke of their respective district’s efforts to increase antisemitism and Holocaust education for students and staff, and actions they’ve taken to discipline those found to have committed antisemitic incidents. New York City’s public schools – the largest school district in the country, which educates nearly a million students across the five boroughs – have been roiled by allegations of antisemitism and are already under investigation by the US Department of Education. According to a complaint filed with the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) has knowingly allowed its K-12 campuses to become viciously hostile environments for Jewish and Israeli students. Reported incidents of antisemitism in BUSD schools included school walkouts praising Hamas, and students shouting “f*** the Jews and KKK.” The complaint said following their teacher’s lead, students bullied their Jewish peers and derided their physical appearance. The complaint alleged BUSD has done nothing to address or curtail the hostile environments in its schools. The Department of Education opened an investigation into Montgomery County Public Schools – a populous and diverse suburban Maryland school district just outside Washington, DC – in February, after a complaint alleged administrators condoned a pro-Palestinian walkout laced with antisemitic chants and some educators said the October 7 attacks were fabricated. “Let me be clear, we do not shy away from imposing consequences for hate-based behavior, including antisemitism,” Silvestre said in her testimony. Silvestre said it is the district’s policy to initiate an investigation each time the school system receives a complaint, or particular antisemitic, hateful, or racist language or actions are witnessed. During Wednesday’s hearing, Banks was grilled relentlessly over his response to students at Origins High School in Brooklyn who allegedly made Nazi gestures at Jewish boys in a park and expressed admiration The principal of Origins High School was removed from his position but is still employed by the district, a point that Republican committee members continuously raised in their questioning of Banks. Banks acknowledged the diversity of the New York City school system means that classrooms are not insulated from the global stage. Banks spoke of education initiatives the district has taken to increase education on the Holocaust, Jewish culture, and hate crimes as well as expanding antisemitism resources and workshops. The ultimate answer for antisemitism is to teach, to expose young people to our common humanity,” Banks said. Banks accused some members of the committee of being more interested in “gotcha” moments than actually solving the problems. “This for too many people across America and education feels like the ultimate ‘gotcha’ moment,” Banks said. “It doesn’t sound like people who are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for.” Luke Tess/JTA contributed to this report. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-08

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin clarified on Wednesday that the United States temporarily paused the shipment of payload munitions to Israel due to concerns over the situation in Rafah.  Austin addressed the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington on Wednesday, shedding light on the decision and emphasizing the need to protect civilians in the conflict zone. "We’ve been very clear that Israel shouldn’t launch a major attack in Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians in that battle space," Austin stated during the hearing. He further explained that the pause in the arms shipment was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of civilians, emphasizing that no final decision had been made regarding other arms transfers to Israel. The tensions surrounding the shipment pause underscore the complex dynamics between the United States and Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. While the U.S. remains committed to supporting Israel's security and its right to self-defense, concerns over civilian casualties and humanitarian implications have led to a reevaluation of arms shipments. "The decision to pause the arms shipment comes amidst escalating tensions in Rafah, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been conducting operations targeting Hamas militants," Austin noted.  Israel has insisted that a major military operation in Rafah is necessary to defeat Hamas, while the U.S. has expressed concerns about the humanitarian consequences of such an operation. In response to the pause in arms shipments, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) expressed strong opposition, questioning the decision and emphasizing the existential threat faced by Israel. "If we withhold weapons necessary to destroy the enemies of the state of Israel at a time of great peril, we will pay a price," Graham said. The pause in arms shipments has prompted scrutiny and debate within Congress, with lawmakers closely monitoring the situation and urging swift action to support Israel's defense needs.  Meanwhile, the Israeli government has yet toon the matter. "As the situation in Rafah continues to evolve, the pause in arms shipments underscores the delicate balance between supporting Israel's security and addressing humanitarian concerns in the conflict zone," Austin concluded.  "The United States remains committed to facilitating a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict while ensuring the safety and security of all parties involved." ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-08

The United States paused one shipment to Israel of payload munitions due to concerns over Rafah, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington on Wednesday. “We’ve been very clear,” Austin said, “that Israel shouldn’t launch a major attack in Rafah without accounting for and protecting the civilians in that battle space.” “After assessing the situation, we paused one shipment of high-payload munitions,” he said. “We've also been very clear about the steps that we want to see Israel take” to protect civilians in a major combat situation, he explained. The US doesn’t want such a major IDF combat operation to take place, but if it does proceed, “our focus is on making sure that we protect the civilians.” IDF tanks enter the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. May 7, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Austin stressed that no final decision had been made regarding that shipment or other arms transfers to Israel.  He said the pause in arms did not impact the $26 billion in supplemental aid that Congress approved last month. The US, he said, remains committed to supporting Israel’s security and its right to self-defense. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-08

The extent of Iranian involvement in Hamas's decision to initiate the has not yet been fully disclosed - and according to various sources in the Arab media and the Iranian opposition, it is possible that the connection between the Revolutionary Guards and Hamas was even deeper and wider. Dr. Hassan Hashemian, an Iran expert based in Washington, argued in an interview with the Saudi channel Al-Hadath, "I believe that everything that happened on October 7 was managed and planned during the era of Qasem Soleimani," referring to the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who was killed in an operation attributed to the United States and Israel. He added, "The issue of the tunnels and the funds invested in their construction, all the weapons accumulated by Hamas, and even the planning of the operation itself, were all conducted during Soleimani's tenure. But the implementation itself was carried out by Ismail Qaani, Soleimani's successor." "Qaani wanted to prove himself," Hashemian continued, "because it is known that Soleimani is a different figure from him. Within Hamas, within the , and even in the government offices in Tehran, and even among many agents abroad, it is believed that he does not measure up to the stature of Qasem Soleimani." According to Hashemian's claim, official responses from Iran cannot be relied upon, stating that Tehran was not involved in Hamas's planning. The S-300 missile system is seen during the National Army Day parade ceremony in Tehran, Iran, April 17, 2024. (credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters) Iran maintains vocal support for Hamas and the Palestinian cause, yet officially denies any involvement in attack planning. Nevertheless, doubts arise regarding the plausibility of such decisions being made without the Revolutionary Guards' knowledge, particularly that of Qaani. criticized Israel for the collapsed prisoner exchange deal, stressing the imperative of swift action against enemies. He underscored, "With the enemy, one cannot act with patience," further stating, "Israel would not dare to commit the crimes it perpetrates against the Palestinians without the support it receives from the United States." On Sunday, former IDF Chief of Staff Prof. Yaakov Nagel read in a special article published in Maariv, "to move from words to actions" in Gaza and Lebanon given the escalation in tensions with Hamas. "When Israel finishes dealing with Hamas, the interests of Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran to postpone the fighting in the north will likely be caught for a short time," he argued. "It is imperative not to misjudge the challenges of confrontation with Iran. Israel must continue to act forcefully against Iran's aggressive behavior and its desire to break into the nuclear field. Iran remains Israel's central problem.” "In light of the developments, from which Hamas's priorities can clearly be understood," he added, "Israeli priority must be to complete the mission in Gaza, strive for a temporary solution in the north that will allow residents to return home safely, and continue covert and overt activity against Iran to ensure it does not exploit the opportunity to break into the nuclear field and continue attacking Israel. Normalization with Saudi Arabia is very important but can wait." In a recent article published by Maariv, former IDF Chief of Staff Prof. Yaakov Nagel urged for a shift "from words to actions" in dealing with the escalating tensions in Gaza and Lebanon. He cautioned that after addressing the Hamas issue, there might be a brief moment where the interests of Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran align, emphasizing, "It is imperative not to misjudge the challenges of confrontation with Iran." Nagel stressed the need for Israel to maintain a robust stance against Iran's aggressive behavior and its nuclear ambitions, stating, "Iran remains Israel's central problem." Addressing Hamas's priorities, Nagel asserted, "Israeli priority must be to complete the mission in Gaza," and advocated for pursuing a temporary solution in the north for residents' safety. He emphasized the importance of continuing covert and overt actions against Iran to prevent it from exploiting opportunities to advance its nuclear program and attack Israel. While acknowledging the significance of normalization with Saudi Arabia, Nagel suggested that it could be deferred, stating, "Normalization with Saudi Arabia is very important but can wait." ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-07

US President Joe Biden's administration has been holding up several Boeing-made arms shipments to Israel for at least two weeks, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The shipments involved Boeing-made which convert dumb bombs into precision-guided ones, as well as Small Diameter Bombs. The sources did not elaborate further. The White House and Pentagon declined comment. The news of a delayed arms shipment was first reported by Axios over the weekend and Politico first reported on the types of arms delayed and the reasoning on Tuesday. Without addressing whether there had been a , the Pentagon said on Monday that there had not been a policy decision to withhold arms from Israel, America's closest Middle East ally.  US PRESIDENT Joe Biden meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the annual opening of the UN General Assembly last September. At that point, holding such a meeting at the White House was not even in the cards, the writer notes. (credit: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS) Washington has said however it could not support an Israeli invasion of the Gaza border city of Rafah without an appropriate and . The delayed shipments include small diameter tail kits for unguided bombs made by Boeing that are designed to make them more accurate, the source said, adding several direct commercial sales that were in process for Israel were also being held up. A pause in new sales would impede Israel's ability to restock weapons it has used. A senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not confirm any specific hold-up in arms supplies but appeared to take the reports in stride: “As the prime minister has already said, if we have to fight with our fingernails, then we’ll do what we have to do.” This is a developing story. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-07

The United States has been withholding several shipments of weapons to Israel for at least two weeks, a move believed to be part of a political message directed towards the Israeli government, according to sources familiar with the matter. The delay in the weapons shipments, reported by the Jerusalem Post and initially broken by Politico, underscores a growing rift between the Biden administration and Israel over the ongoing conflict in the Gaza border city of Rafah. A source cited by the Jerusalem Post revealed that among the delayed shipments are small diameter tail kits manufactured by Boeing, designed to enhance the accuracy of unguided bombs.  Additionally, several direct commercial sales intended for Israel are also reportedly being held up. This pause in new sales could potentially hinder Israel's ability to replenish its arsenal following recent military engagements. While the Biden administration has not explicitly stated the reason behind the delay, Politico reported that a U.S. official indicated Washington's desire to send a political message to Israel through the action. The move comes amid Washington's stance that it cannot support an without a credible humanitarian plan in place.  Boeing, the manufacturer of the small diameter tail kits, has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-07

Ukrainian state prosecutors say they have examined debris from 21 of around 50 North Korean ballistic missiles launched by Russia between late December and late February as they seek to assess the threat from Moscow's cooperation with . In previously unreported details of an investigation underway into the missiles, the office of Ukraine's top prosecutor, Andriy Kostin, also told Reuters that the failure rate of the North Korean weaponry appeared to be high. "About half of the North Korean missiles lost their programmed trajectories and exploded in the air; in such cases, the debris was not recovered," Kostin's office said in written answers to Reuters' questions. North Korean missiles account for a tiny portion of Russia's strikes during its war on Ukraine, but their alleged use has caused alarm from Seoul to Washington because it may herald the end of a nearly two-decade consensus among permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on preventing Pyongyang expanding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In addition to providing North Korea with an opportunity to test missiles, Russia has taken steps that will make it harder for the United Nations to monitor sanctions imposed on Pyongyang in 2006. Rescuers work at a site of a residential area hit by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine March 15, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER) Last month, Moscow vetoed the annual renewal of the UN sanctions monitors - known as a panel of experts - that has for 15 years monitored enforcement of the UN sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea's official name. China, one of the five permanent members on the Security Council with Russia, the United States, Britain and France, abstained from the vote. Days before its mandate expired, the panel submitted a report confirming for the first time that, in a violation of UN sanctions, a known as Hwasong-11 had struck the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. This, and Moscow's veto, underscore how Russia and North Korea have intensified their bilateral relations beyond largely transactional, barter agreements, said Edward Howell, an expert on North Korea at Oxford University. "There is a lasting legacy that is being shaped now, which is the fact that North Korea, through being assured of Russia's support, is really being able to undermine key international institutions like the UN Security Council," he said. The Russian presidency referred questions on the North Korean missiles to the Russian Defense Ministry, which did not respond to emailed questions from Reuters. North Korea's mission to the United Nations in Geneva also did not respond.   Despite the setback at the United Nations, Kostin has said his office will carry on with the investigation. The prosecutor's office said that when debris could not be collected at impact sites, Hwasong-11 missiles, which are also called KN-23 in the West, were identified by looking at their flight trajectories, speed and launch sites. The last recorded use of a KN-23 was on Feb. 27, the prosecutor's office said, adding that the total number of launches it has identified tallied with intelligence showing North Korea delivered about 50 ballistic missiles to Russia. According to the United States, Russia received ballistic missiles and artillery rounds from North Korea after the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, met Russian President Vladimir Putin for a rare summit last September. The 21 cases, in which debris was collected, include three that were fired at the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and its surrounding region, Kostin's office said. The others struck the regions of Kharkiv, Poltava, Donetsk and Kirovohrad. The attacks, which began on Dec. 30, 2023, killed 24 people, wounded 115 and damaged a number of residential buildings and industrial facilities, it said. The about 50 missiles were launched from multiple sites including in Russia's western regions of , Voronezh and Kursk, it added. The Ukrainian statement did not say whether any of the missiles had been shot down by air defenses. Ballistic missiles are typically hard to intercept because of their trajectory and speed. According to Kostin's office, Ukrainian authorities were still investigating whether Pyongyang had dispatched instructors to monitor the ballistic missile launches. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-07

Grammy-winning U.S. rapper Macklemore has stirred controversy with the release of his latest song, "Hind's Hall," a pro-Palestinian anthem that denounces Israeli actions in the ongoing conflict. The track, named after 6-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed by IDF fire in the Gaza Strip, has sparked both support and criticism for its stance. In "Hind's Hall," Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, delivers lyrics condemning Israel's policies, including what he describes as an "apartheid system" and "occupying violence." The song's music video features imagery of destruction in Gaza, pro-Palestinian demonstrations, and corporate logos of companies expressing support for Israel. This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking manage preferences. "The mothers and the children, and all the men that you murdered," Macklemore sings. "And then we see how you spin it. Who gets the right to defend and who gets the right of resistance." The rapper also addresses the accusation of antisemitism often leveled against critics of Zionism, stating, "Claimin’ it's antisemitic to be anti-Zionist." Macklemore announced that all proceeds from streaming "Hind's Hall" would be donated to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Israel has accused in the Hamas attacks on October 7. The rapper's outspoken stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not new. Macklemore has previously condemned Israel's actions and participated in pro-Palestinian rallies, including a demonstration in Washington, where he referred to Israeli military operations in Gaza as "genocide." ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-07

There is a scene in the American classic The Godfather when the Corleone family’s Don Corleone reveals to his family and the audience that the man behind the war against his family is actually rival mafia family head Don Barzini. Barzini had previously been seen in the film as a mediator between several warring families. Corleone says, “I wasn't sure until this day…it was Barzini all along.” This scene might teach us something about the current war . On March 6, Hamas claimed to have agreed to a hostage and ceasefire deal with Israel. Hamas had been rejecting deals for months, so it came as a surprise. Israel had launched an operation in Rafah on May 6 after asking residents to evacuate eastern Rafah. Was it the pressure of the operation that led to Hamas accepting a deal? It turns out the “deal” was different than the one . Instead, according to a report at Axios, there was a kind of bait and switch where Hamas had held talks with the US, Qatar, and Egypt and agreed to a different deal that is much worse for Israel than the previous ones Israel had agreed to. Axios reported that Israeli officials felt they had been “played” by the US and the mediators in Doha and Cairo. This is the Don Barzini reveal, seven months into this war in Gaza. Hamas attacked Israel on and massacred 1,000 people and killed 250. However, Hamas did not do this in a vacuum. Hamas carried out its unprecedented attack, massacring more Jews than at any time since the Holocaust, because it believed it had cover to do this. Hamas is hosted by Qatar, a major non-NATO ally of the US. Hamas has been hosted in Qatar since 2012, and reports say that Washington asked Doha to host Hamas. On October 7, Hamas leaders who live in Qatar gathered for a photo-op celebrating the attack. They didn’t feel they need to run and hide. They knew that they were not just safe in Doha but that being hosted by a Western ally gave them protection and cover.Palestinian members of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement seen next to a memorial named “Shehab Field,” a drone made by al-Qassam, in Gaza City, September 21, 2022. (credit: ATTIA MUHAMMED/FLASH90) Hamas has been jetting around the region since October 7. Rather than being isolated due to this massive attack, it has gained influence. Turkey’s leader hosted Hamas leaders in April. Turkey is a NATO member. Hamas has also sent officials to Moscow. Hamas has received backing from many countries since the attack. This means that Israel has faced an uphill battle in Gaza. To return to the Godfather analogy. The problems for the Corleone family begin in the film when they are invited to meet with a narcotics dealer named Virgil Sollozo at a meeting hosted by the Tattaglia family. This leads to an assassination attempt on Don Corleone and sets the family on a collision course with a war with the other mafia families. What matters for our purposes is that Hamas in our story is more akin to Sollozo than it is to more powerful families. Hamas is backed by Iran. It is hosted and backed by Qatar and Turkey. Hamas has friends in high places. Israel’s challenge is not just to defeat Hamas. Seven months into the Gaza war, Israel continues to face challenges in its war on Hamas. This is because this is not a simple traditional war. Hamas is a terrorist group, but Hamas is also much more than that. Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007, and before that, it operated both as a kind of mafia and a religious terrorist gang. Hamas's control of Gaza should be seen through the lens of a mafia controlling Gaza. The Hamas control of Gaza has many elements of a cartel, like how the Medellin cartel once wreaked havoc in Colombia. Once we understand the challenges faced in defeating Hamas, both in Gaza and due to its backers in the region and its powerful backers around the world, then we can begin to free ourselves from some of the simplistic thinking that has underpinned this war. Defeating Hamas is not just about defeating its military capabilities. Hamas has already returned to control most of Gaza. It has done this before after every round it fought. This is because it disperses its fighters, hides its weapons, and waits for the day after. It knows Israel will likely leave. Hamas will reconstitute itself quickly, as it has done in the past. Israeli assessments of the damage to Hamas after previous wars have always been an overestimate. Hamas always returns more powerful and faster than people think it will. This time, Hamas likely has larger goals that are being pushed by those behind Hamas. What this means is that Hamas leadership in Doha and Hamas backers in Ankara, Moscow, and Tehran have plans for Hamas. Here, again, it's worth going back to that scene in The Godfather when the heads of the mafia families meet, and Don Corleone finally realizes that it was “Barzini all along” that has been behind this war. The war that Hamas launched on October 7 was not just launched by Hamas in Gaza. This is obvious from the fact that the Hamas leadership in Doha was not surprised by the attack. They didn’t run and make frantic phone calls to their hosts saying “we didn’t do this, we had no idea.” Their hosts didn’t call their allies in the West and say, “Hamas has betrayed us, we hosted them, but they have carried out this terrible attack.” In fact, if you go back to October 7, there is no evidence that anyone linked to Hamas was surprised by this attack. Moscow didn’t make frantic calls. Tehran didn’t. Ankara didn’t. Back on October 6, Israel was being sold a story that portrayed Hamas as “deterred.” After October 7 we have been told that it is almost impossible to defeat Hamas because of how strong it is and we are told that defeating most of its 24 battalions is enough of a “win” in Gaza. The two narratives don’t make sense. If Hamas was deterred and not capable of doing much damage to Israel, then how is it also so powerful that it is almost impossible to defeat? And, if Hamas was actually known to be very powerful, with 24 battalions of fighters and 30,000 terrorists, then why was the border left almost undefended against a genocidal terrorist group? Clearly, the answer to that question is that Israel had trusted Hamas because Hamas was filtered through a kind of Don Barzini character. After Hamas had lied about being deterred and carried out a huge massacre, it continued to rely on its hosts and backers abroad during the war on Israel. For instance, Israel was told in December to transition to a lower-intensity war in Gaza. In February, Israel was told it should do a ceasefire for Ramadan. Then Israel was told to postpone a Rafah offensive. At each stage, Hamas got the breathing space it needed and was able to Shanghai the hostage talks. We now know Israel was likely being “played” the whole time with a kind of bait and switch. The macabre talks have been prolonged by Hamas, which continues to not turn over a list of living hostages. Hamas has said it wants to release one hostage for each day of a ceasefire so it can parade them to get applause in the region. Now, it wants up to a week of ceasefire for each hostage. Hamas’ goal and the goal of its backers is to use the hostage deal and an end to the war to takeover the West Bank, in the long run. It’s fair to say now that it was Barzini all along. Barzini is the powers that stand behind Hamas and is influencing this war from the start to keep Hamas in power in Gaza and bring it to power in the West Bank.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-07

The could vote on Friday on a draft resolution that would recognize the Palestinians as qualified to become a full UN member and recommend that the UN Security Council "reconsider the matter favorably." It would effectively act as a global survey of how much support the Palestinians have for their bid, which was vetoed in the last month by the United States. An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the 15-member Security Council and then the General Assembly. Diplomats say the 193-member General Assembly is likely to back the Palestinian bid. But changes could still be made to the draft after some diplomats raised concerns with the current text, seen by Reuters, that also grants additional rights and privileges - short of full membership - to the Palestinians. Some diplomats say this could set a precedent for other situations, citing Kosovo and Taiwan as examples. Gilad Erdan on Monday denounced the current draft General Assembly resolution, saying it would give the Palestinians the de facto status and rights of a state and goes against the founding UN Charter. "If it is approved, I expect the United States to completely stop funding the UN and its institutions, in accordance with American law," said Erdan, adding that adoption by the General Assembly would not change anything on the ground. Israel ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan prepares his intervention during the security council meeting due to the situation in Middle East and Palestine, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, US, August 8, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ) Under US law, Washington cannot fund any UN organization that grants full membership to any group that does not have the "internationally recognized attributes" of statehood. The US halted funding in 2011 for the UN cultural agency (UNESCO) after the Palestinians became a full member. "It remains the US view that the path toward statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations," said Nate Evans, spokesperson for the US mission to the UN "We are aware of the resolution and reiterate our concerns with any effort to extend certain benefits to entities when there are unresolved questions as to whether the Palestinians currently meet the criteria under the Charter," he said. The Palestinians are currently a non-member observer state, a de facto recognition of statehood that was granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012. The Palestinian mission to the UN in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its push for action in the General Assembly. The Palestinian push for full UN membership comes seven months into a war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considers to be illegal. The United Nations has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in 1967. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-06

Iran tried to use a meeting of the (OIC) convened in Banjul, The Gambia, on May 4 and 5, in order to advance its agenda. In general, the meeting did include a declaration supporting the Palestinians. However, that was to be expected. According to a report at the SPA, “the summit culminated in the Banjul Declaration, in which OIC leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the organization's core principles and objectives, which encompass respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of disputes, as well as to the noble values of Islam: unity, brotherhood, peace, solidarity, compassion, tolerance, equality, justice, moderation, balance, and human dignity.”  This was general language. However, the meeting did include a statement in which the countries “expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza Strip, condemning the over-six-month-old Israeli aggression and its devastating humanitarian impact. OIC leaders urged the international community to take immediate steps to stop the Israeli occupation's crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip.”  Reports in the Gulf highlighted this declaration. The leaders at the meeting also said they would work with the “and make every effort to accelerate the arrival of all humanitarian aid and reject any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land." The meeting did not produce a lot of outbursts against Israel, as some similar types of summits have in the past. For instance, in 2003, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohammed, used a summit to bash Israel and claim that Jews “rule the world by proxy.”  At the time, he said, "We are actually very strong, 1.3 billion people cannot be simply wiped out. The Europeans killed 6 million Jews out of 12 million. But today, the Jews rule the world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them.”US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with foreign ministers from the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Arab League, to discuss the future of Gaza, at the State Department in Washington, US, December 8, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN)  Today, the OIC wants a ceasefire in Gaza. The meeting in Gambia came on the eve of Israel’s decision to call for residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate. Iran’s foreign minister attended the meetings in Gambia and sought to gain influence with meetings with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia.  Egypt has ties to Israel, but Saudi Arabia and Indonesia do not. Iran wanted to use the meeting to influence several countries against Israel, likely believing that Saudi Arabia or Indonesia might be considering normalization with Israel.  The rest of the declaration from the meeting included boilerplate language that was to be expected. For instance the countries condemned anti-Muslim incidents in Europe. They called for countries to “address the disturbing growth of the phenomenon of Islamophobia and all forms of fanaticism, terrorism, violence and extremism leading to violence, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and discrimination of all kinds on the basis of ethnicity, tribe, color and religion.” The countries also called for “alleviating the burden of poverty, climate change, food security, health and education.”  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-06

A coalition of moderate Arab countries has put forward a comprehensive roadmap aimed at achieving the establishment of a Palestinian state within three years.  The proposal, endorsed by about 60 senior officials from participating nations during a conference in Saudi Arabia, calls on the United States to lead the effort in outlining a clear path towards Palestinian statehood. Central to the plan is the restoration of Palestinian Authority control over the Gaza Strip, accompanied by significant reforms within Palestinian government structures. The roadmap also includes key provisions such as the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza, cessation of Israeli military activities in Palestinian territories, and the establishment of essential infrastructure like airports, with control of border crossings transferred to Palestinian Authority forces. While the proposal has garnered support from several European countries, objections have arisen from Washington, which continues to advocate for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. This initiative follows previous reports indicating collaborative efforts between the Biden administration and various Middle Eastern nations to craft a detailed plan for long-term peace in the region. The participating countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Palestinian representatives, are said to be working on an orderly timetable for the creation of a Palestinian state. The moderate Arab states have consistently communicated to both the United States and Israel that their involvement in the reconstruction of Gaza and potential administration of the Gazan population hinges on a firm commitment from Jerusalem towards the establishment of a Palestinian state. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-06

Hamas warned that the IDF’s evacuation of civilians from was a dangerous escalation that could scuttle the already strained hostage talks. "The US administration, alongside the occupation, bears responsibility for this terrorism," the official, Sami Abu Zuhri, told Reuters, referring to Israel's alliance with Washington. He warned that it was a "dangerous escalation that will have consequences.” Walla’s Barak Ravid posted on X that Hamas warned that could be suspended. Egypt, which alongside Qatar has mediated talks for the release of the remaining 132 hostages, worked to contain the damage to negotiations, which were also harmed by Hamas attack Sunday on the Kerem Shalom crossing that killed four soldiers. Protesters in Tel Aviv demanding a hostage deal, April 24, 2024 (credit: NEVET KAHANA) An Egyptian source told Al-Qahera News that it was the Kerem Shalom attack Sunday that caused the talks to falter.  The Hamas delegation returned to Doha from Cairo for consultations with its leadership which is based there. CIA Director William Burns left Cairo for Doha last night and is expected in Israel this week.  At issue had been Hama's insistence on a , with Israel standing firm that it could only accept a pause to the war because it was determined to conduct a military operation in Rafah to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions there. Belgian Vice Premier Petra De Sutter warned that a Rafah “invasion will lead to a massacre.” "Belgium is working on further sanctions against [Israel],” she wrote in a post on X. De Sutter has been a fierce and early critic of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza that began on October 7, calling already in November for sanctions against the Jewish state. The international community, including the United States, has also opposed a Rafah operation fearing it would lead to a humanitarian disaster for the over 1.3 million Palestinians located there, many of whom sought shelter there to escape Israeli bombardments in northern Gaza at the start of the war. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is the main organization that services Palestinian refugees, wrote on X that “an Israeli offensive in #Rafah would mean more civilian suffering [and] deaths. The consequences would be devastating for 1.4 million people." UNRWA “is not evacuating” Palestinians from Rafah, it stressed, adding that “Agency will maintain a presence in Rafah as long as possible [and[ will continue providing lifesaving aid to people.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke overnight with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, updating him on the Kerem Shalom attack and Israel’s pending Rafah operation. Gallant indicated that “at this stage, Hamas refuses the frameworks at hand" and “emphasized that military action is required, including in the area of Rafah, at the lack of an alternative,” according to the Defense Ministry “The State of Israel will not tolerate the ongoing presence of terrorist frameworks bordering its communities, and is committed to achieving the goals of the war - the destruction of Hamas as a military and governing authority, and the return of 132 hostages,” Gallant said.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-06

According to polls, the majority of both Israeli and American voters support an IDF operation in Rafah, the final Hamas stronghold in Gaza, where the IDF believes Hamas is holding hostages taken captive by the terrorist organization on . However, the White House is trying to tie Jerusalem’s hands despite Hamas’s intransigence and is missing a unique opportunity to demonstrate the strong and principled leadership that most Americans want. Israel told Hamas on May 3 that the terror organization has one week to respond to Israel’s most comprehensive offer to date. called it “extraordinarily generous.” Hamas has previously rejected several consecutive deals, which raises the question of whether Hamas has any interest in a ceasefire or is simply playing for time. Israel itself has reservations about a ceasefire, which could affect the war momentum and release hundreds of imprisoned terrorists, but is prepared to go to almost any length to secure the release of the 132 remaining hostages, who include women, children, and US citizens. Jerusalem has delayed the Rafah operation for months to allow for US-shepherded negotiations, while dozens of Israeli hostages have been killed in captivity in Gaza. But Jerusalem’s patience with the months of fruitless negotiations may have finally run out.Israeli forces are seen operating in the Gaza Strip on February 5, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) According to reports, if Hamas turns this deal down, will begin the evacuation of Rafah in advance of a major ground operation in the city. On May 1, Blinken told NBC that the administration “cannot and will not support a major military operation in Rafah absent a clear, credible plan to protect civilians. We’ve not seen such a plan.” In other words, irrespective of Washington’s ability to negotiate a ceasefire or a return of hostages, the administration won’t back Israel in the next phase of the war. Rafah is the southernmost Gazan town and sits along the border with Egypt. The strip of land that runs along the Egypt-Gaza border is known as the Philadelphi Corridor, where Hamas has built a network of tunnels to smuggle in the majority of its impressive arsenal, which it has used to attack Israel on and after October 7. Rafah is also the last stronghold of Hamas fighters, where several thousand terrorists are hiding among over a million internally displaced people in the city. To end the war, the IDF must enter Rafah, destroy the remaining Hamas battalions, and shut down the tunnel networks under the Philadelphi Corridor. ON APRIL 22, The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel is closely coordinating with the US, Egypt, and the UAE on an operational plan to move large numbers of Gazans out of Rafah and to humanitarian areas that will have shelter, food, and medical facilities. According to February reports, Israel presented a plan to officials in Cairo that detailed 15 separate humanitarian camps, each with 25,000 shelters. Recent satellite images of the enclave shows a growing number of new structures erected in central Gaza. Despite Blinken’s claims that he has seen no credible plan for the safe evacuation of Rafah’s civilians, Israeli sources have told me a plan that involves a phased evacuation of several hundred thousand internally displaced people has been shared with Washington. Some Gazans will go to the new humanitarian zones being constructed in central Gaza; others will be allowed to return to the north. The sticking point appears to be the timing of the operation. Sources with knowledge of recent conversations between Washington and Jerusalem say the Netanyahu government estimates that the evacuation will take a matter of weeks. But the White House fears that the evacuation will take months. If so, the timing of the operation and the battle for Rafah will extend into the US election season. With a presidential election looming in November, the White House is watching President Joe Biden’s polling numbers with increasing concern. While polling consistently demonstrates that the vast majority of US voters are more focused on domestic issues than anything happening in the Middle East, Americans are also highly concerned about poor leadership. Images on the evening news of war in the Middle East alongside violent and chaotic campus protests at home are not optimal during an election year. Jerusalem will likely pursue a decisive victory over Hamas with little regard for the timing of US elections. Rather than working around the political calendar, Biden should seize the opportunity to align with Jerusalem and back the Rafah operation while providing maximum support to Gazan civilians. Americans want strong leadership that aligns with our values. If Biden can articulate the moral case for backing Israel, defeating Hamas, and bringing hostages home, it may help – not harm – his prospects in November. The writer is the senior director of the Israel Program and the FDD National Security Network at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow her on X at @EKrivine. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-06

It is important to stress that antisemitism is a disease that has affected so many different societies throughout the millennia. However, Christian antisemitism is one of the oldest manifestations, even if it is the most contrary to the Bible. The Christian Scriptures refer to Jews as the “root” and Gentiles as the “branches,” so attacking the root should make no sense as it also affects Christians who obey the word of God. That is why Christians should welcome with open arms the passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which enjoyed large bipartisan support . Unfortunately, there were a couple of Republican lawmakers, specifically Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Matt Gaetz, who voted against the bill because it would require the US Department of Education to use the International Working Definition, in which one of the examples appended states that “claims of Jews killing Jesus” are “classic antisemitism.” Unfortunately, these congressmen have a history of flirting with antisemitism so it is hardly surprising that they would vote against a bill that could potentially demonstrate that Jews have been discriminated against under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) attends a press conference alongside fellow Republicans following the passage of the Secure the Border Act, HR-2, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 11, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN) What is outrageous is that they have appropriated Christian Scriptures to defend their unjustifiable beliefs. The whole question of using these antisemitic deicide tropes and blood libels against the Jewish people should have been consigned to history. That they are alive and well at the highest levels and among decision-makers should shock us all and amply demonstrate why the bill needs to be passed into law. Nevertheless, alongside supporting the law, there is clearly a lot of education to do. The deicide charge essentially argues not only that “the Jews” killed Jesus, but also that all Jews should be held responsible in perpetuity. “The Jews” did not crucify Jesus, the Romans did. The Gospels state that Herod turned Jesus over not to the Jewish leaders, who had no authority to crucify anyone, but to the Roman leader Pilate. The vast majority of Jesus’ followers were Jewish, and so was Jesus himself. Second, the deicide charge is especially pernicious because it attacks the very essence of the Jewish people. It accuses an entire people of possessing a fatal defect, or an inherent trait of evil that cannot be redeemed no matter how far an individual is removed from the events in the Christian Scriptures. This is racism, and Christians should not allow our faith to be weaponized for such a cause. Moreover, since the bloody massacre of , Jews are being attacked from all sides in an unprecedented manner, online, on university campuses, and on our streets, and we as Christians have to stand by their side and not join in the attacks. We should stand with both the Jewish people and the Jewish state, especially in the week when we commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day and remember the annihilation of six million Jews, and that many stood by and allowed it to happen. I know that currently many Jews feel alone and isolated around the world, and it is precisely at this time that we must stand up as Christians. Jews have to know that they can count on us. We have seen a resurgence of ugly forms of antisemitism, from radical Islamists, from the far Left and the far Right. We have seen conspiracy theories return that have no place in the modern age. Regrettably, this includes the age-old lie of deicide.  Christians of all denominations have waged a battle over the last couple of generations since the Holocaust to ensure that this is expunged from our theology. We thought we had seen the last of it, or at least outside of the extreme fringes of society. That members of Congress, American elected officials, are using this terminology and weaponizing Christian faith to attack our Jewish brothers and sisters is unconscionable and untenable. We must call it out, for the security and safety of Jews, but also for the ethical and theological demand that Christians stand with the Jewish people. There is a moment of reckoning in American society and we have to choose to stand on the side of good and against hate and evil. We are delighted that the overwhelming majority of congresspeople voted in favor of the antisemitism Awareness Act. Unfortunately, there remained far too many who did not support the bill for various reasons. To use Christian Scriptures to vote against this worthy and important bill is a dangerous precedent and the majority of Christians who stand with the Jewish people should send a clear message to Reps. Greene and Gaetz that this is intolerable and un-Christian. The writer is CEO of Passages, a Christian organization dedicated to taking Christian students to Israel and mobilizing young people to support the Jewish state on campuses and in communities across the US, and to stand up against antisemitism.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-05

In a move that has raised eyebrows in Jerusalem, the Biden administration postponed an destined for Israel last week, according to sources from within the Israeli government. This development marks the first instance of such a delay since October 7, sparking concerns and prompting Israeli officials to seek clarification from their American counterparts. Senior Israeli officials revealed that the shipment, intended to include crucial weaponry for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was halted at a certain stage on directives from Washington. Despite repeated inquiries, neither the White House nor the American Departments of Defense and State have offered an official explanation for the delay. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indirectly addressed the issue, delivering a poignant message on Holocaust Remembrance Day. He paralleled historical leaders who stood against oppression and emphasized the importance of self-defense, stating, "If we do not defend ourselves, no one else will defend us. And if we have to stand alone - we will stand alone," he said on Sunday. The delay in the arms shipment comes amidst escalating tensions over a potential Israeli operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians have sought refuge since the conflict began. Netanyahu has reiterated Israel's determination to with or without international agreement, further fueling concerns. MK-82 bombs. (credit: Wikimedia Commons) During a recent visit to forces in the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signaled Israel's readiness for significant action in Rafah and other areas across the Gaza Strip, citing perceived threats from Hamas. Behind closed doors, US Secretary of State engaged in a tense discussion with Netanyahu regarding the Rafah operation. Sources familiar with the details revealed Blinken's cautionary warning, highlighting potential repercussions on US-Israel relations and public opinion should Israel proceed with a ground operation in Rafah. White House spokesperson John Kirby reiterated the Biden administration's concerns, emphasizing President Joe Biden's stance on considering a policy shift regarding the Gaza conflict. Kirby underscored the importance of addressing humanitarian concerns in any Israeli action in Rafah. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-05

Northwestern University’s Dean of Students, Mona Dugo, has undergone violent harassment and bullying as a result of a false news report claiming that she attended an aimed at targeting Hillel, the university’s Jewish student center. Dugo was observing the anti-Israel protest in mid-April as part of her role as the dean of students and in her capacity as part of the university's Event Support Team.  The Daily Northwestern, the student newspaper at Northwestern University, published that Dugo was "present." The Washington Free Beacon, as a result, reported that she was in attendance as a part of the protest itself. The Free Beacon additionally stated that the protest was targeting the Northwestern Hillel, the Jewish campus organization at Northwestern, when, according to Dugo, it was nowhere near. "The principal target of the protest was not nor was the event near Hillel, which is an important and valued campus partner of mine," Dugo said in a letter to The Jerusalem Post.Signs are displayed in front of Deering Meadow, where an encampment of students are protesting in support of Palestinians, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Illinois, US. April 25, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/Nate Swanson) The university later put out a statement clarifying that the "Dean of Students regularly attends student demonstrations on campus, to ensure the safety of our community" and that "her role at these demonstrations is not as a participant or supporter, but as an observer to ensure safety and well-being of the entire community, including those who might be targeted by the protest." According to the university, the Daily Northwestern asked Dugo about the subject and she explained to them accordingly, but this was left out of the article. According to her, the report, which has since then caused waves on social media, "has led to a flurry of hate mail directed at me personally." In the days following the report, Dugo fell victim to harassment and bullying, receiving emails, social media tags, and phone calls cursing her. "I was sent threats," she said. "I was sent photos of a bloody penis with insects crawling on it. I received over 1,000 emails, many of them seething with name-calling, threats, and hatred directed at me personally." While some were "more reasonable, seeking clarification," the vast majority were filled with hate. "One email said, 'You are a clown. I will pray for you and your family to get r**d as brutal as Israeli women and men on Oct 7. Maybe than you will see who u supporting. Fk you. You are a piece of s*t.'" Another message still, left in three parts via voicemail by a man "with a threatening voice," called her "the enemy of democracy and the enemy of America." Many came to Dugo's defense, including Michael Simon, the executive director of Northwestern Hillel, who said in a Facebook post that there is a "smear campaign" targeting Dugo and that she "works tirelessly and excellently to support all students - including all Jewish students -- at Northwestern, and she is a consummate professional." She said, "With the lingering pain of the horrific terrorist attack of October 7, I understand the anguish behind this emotional deluge...It’s been an incredibly stressful time on campus as we strive to protect all of our students." She concluded, "I am saddened by the enormous pain in this enduring conflict. I do not know how to solve it. What I do know is that being quick to mislabel people based on thin, slanted evidence gets us nowhere." Disclaimer: The Jerusalem Post previously published an article based on the original Washington Free Beacon report. We have taken the article down and regret the error. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-05-05

Danny Ayalon, former Deputy Foreign Minister and Israeli Ambassador to Washington, called the recent pro-Palestinian protests on campuses "an Islamist agenda that did not start today." Ayalon stated, "They have already influenced the public opinion in Europe in their favor and are trying to replicate the process in the US. From this perspective, they are succeeding, and they are, in fact, trying to influence not only Biden and the government but also members of Congress. Currently, in at least five states. Everything is subject to the American electoral system." Ayalon continued, "There are two axes through which Americans have been operating from the beginning of the war until today: the strategic axis, strong support for Israel, Israel's strength is a clear American interest, and not to expand the war, and on the other hand, Biden's political interest. He wants quiet; he wants stability. He would, of course, prefer to see a breakthrough. If he could run these elections on an agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, that would be his dream. It is not beneficial for Biden to encourage escalation of the fighting." Ayalon also noted that "From all the conduct of Hamas, the IDF controls 90 percent of Gaza, and they are negotiating as if they hold the upper hand. They think they have the advantage and need to hold out as long as possible until the American elections."Danny Ayalon (credit: YOAV ARI DUDKEVITCH/FLASH90) "The prominent guiding line is the evident interests of . There are about five key states where this conflict will be decided by the electoral system. In some states, like Michigan, there is a relatively large Arab Muslim concentration, and a small percentage one way or the other can shift the entire state from one side to the other. That's exactly Biden's dilemma," Ayalon concluded.  Edited by Shani Romano for 103FM radio. ...قراءة المزيد

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