Pro-Hamas Disruption at Berkeley Law Dean’s Dinner Smacks of Virulent Anti-Semitism

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04/14/2024

Pro-Hamas Disruption at Berkeley Law Dean’s Dinner Smacks of Virulent Anti-Semitism

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The renowned dean of Berkeley’s law school, Erwin Chemerinsky, found himself at the center of a heated debate on free speech after a celebratory dinner party at his home was disrupted by pro-Hamas students.

I almost felt sorry for the Jewish homeowner, UC Berkeley Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, when this radical islamic started spewing pro-hamas drivel at his private party.

Then I remembered he and everyone at UC Berkeley enables this antisemitism by voting Blue. pic.twitter.com/nLDf0ic4kR

— Joe Has Dementia (@RokerGlasses) April 12, 2024

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, as Chemerinsky hosted a dinner party for approximately 60 third-year law students in the backyard of his Oakland, Calif., residence, as was reported on Friday in The New York Times. The gathering was intended to foster community among students, with no formal speeches or activities planned.

The incident unfolded when Malak Afaneh, co-president of Berkeley’s Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP), along with about 10 other law students, interrupted the dinner gathering in Chemerinsky’s backyard. The NYT report indicated that Afaneh seized a microphone and began delivering a speech, prompting Catherine Fisk, a Berkeley law professor and Chemerinsky’s wife, to intervene. Fisk, who emphasized that the event was being held at her home, attempted to retrieve the microphone and threatened to call the police but ultimately did not.

Chemerinsky, a staunch advocate of free speech rights for pro-Palestinian students, including their right to block Zionist speakers, was caught on camera shouting, “Please leave our house! You are guests in our house!” Meanwhile, Fisk attempted to wrestle the microphone away from Afaneh, leading to a physical altercation.

According to Afaneh and other student protesters, Fisk’s actions were perceived as disproportionate and violent, arguing that students have a right to speak at a university gathering, as was noted in the report in the NYT. They viewed the incident as a suppression of free speech.

The information provided in the NYT report indicated that Chemerinsky defended his stance, asserting that while the dinner was funded by the university, the students had no inherent right to free speech in a private residence, especially at an informal event with no planned remarks.

The incident at Chemerinsky’s home illustrates how the Israel-Gaza conflict has intensified and complicated the free speech debate. The NYT report said that across college campuses nationwide, pro-Palestinian students have staged sit-ins and disrupted events, prompting some administrators to take disciplinary action, including arrests and suspensions.

The situation at Berkeley, a university with a history of leftist activism and the birthplace of the ’60s Free Speech movement, has been particularly fraught. As protests over the Middle East conflict persist, some Jewish students and alumni have criticized university officials for tolerating activism that veers into anti-Semitic speech.

The escalation of tensions at Berkeley is not an isolated incident. Noted in the NYT report was that In February, an event featuring an Israeli speaker was canceled after protesters forcibly entered the venue, prompting Chancellor Carol Christ to denounce the act as an attack on the university’s fundamental values.

The situation has garnered national attention, with Representative Virginia Foxx, chair of the House committee on education, launching an investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism on campus. As per the information contained in the NYT report, Foxx has demanded documents and information from university officials regarding Berkeley’s response to anti-Semitic incidents, signaling a growing concern over the erosion of free speech and tolerance on college campuses.

Moreover, Chemerinsky was recently depicted in an anti-Semitic flier circulated earlier in the week. The flier featured a cartoon image of Chemerinsky holding a bloody knife and fork with the words “No Dinner With Zionist Chem While Gaza Starves,” according to the NYT report. In response, Chemerinsky expressed shock at the blatant anti-Semitism, noting the image’s invocation of the blood libel trope and its targeting of him solely because of his Jewish identity.

The incident occurred amidst ongoing protests by pro-Hamas activists, including members of the Berkeley chapter of Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP), co-chaired by Malak Afaneh. However, the NYT reported that the LSJP did not respond to requests for comment. The information conrained in the NYT report also indicated that Camilo Pérez-Bustillo, executive director of the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, defended the protesters’ actions, stating that Chemerinsky was not targeted because of his Jewish identity but rather for his perceived failure to address U.S. complicity in the conflict.

The controversy further coincided with the last day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. Afaneh accused the university system of supporting weapons manufacturers and refusing to acknowledge the plight of Palestinians, according to the NYT report. The incident reignited debates over free speech and activism on campus, with Afaneh citing First Amendment rights and the National Lawyers Guild’s support.

Chemerinsky expressed disappointment at the disruption, describing the students’ actions as rude and inappropriate. Despite the altercation, the dinner continued after the protesters left peacefully.

The protesting students aimed to pressure Chemerinsky to denounce what they perceive as Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which they characterized as genocide, as was detailed in the NYT report. They also called for the university to divest from companies supporting Israel’s actions.

Following the incident, LSJP demanded the resignations of Chemerinsky and Fisk, citing their failure to address Palestinian grievances. Additionally, the NYT report said that LSJP advocated for the establishment of a Palestine studies program focused on resistance and the right to return in a settler-colonial context.

In response to the controversy, Richard Leib, chairman of the University of California system’s board, and Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ voiced their support for Chemerinsky and Fisk, as per the NYT report.

Christ expressed dismay over the protest, emphasizing the university’s commitment to free speech while condemning the use of a private residence as a platform for protest. The UC Berkeley law school dean described the incident as unexpected and divisive, lamenting the disruption of what was meant to be a social occasion.

After Taking Over 3rd Largest Radio Network, Soros Plots to Take 2nd Largest

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04/14/2024

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New York - Soros Foundation article — Billionaire George Soros, has contributed over $15 million to groups responsible for the recent pro-Palestinian rallies. Credit: Ferdinand Ostrop / AP

Daniel Greenfield(Front Page Magazine)

In February, we reported that Soros was about to take over the third-largest broadcaster in the country, Audacy, along with its stations.

After Audacy was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Soros Fund Management bought hundreds of millions of its debt for 50 cents on the dollar and under a bankruptcy agreement will become its largest shareholder with a potential impact on much of the country and its politics.

Audacy claims to be able to reach 200 million people across the range of its properties which include sports, music and talk radio stations, as well as a large digital platform, and while Audacy is not an inherently conservative company, it owns a number of talk radio stations and the talk radio format caters to commuters, early risers and working people which is to say conservatives. And the Soros takeover will give one of the biggest funders of leftist extremism control over not only conservative talk radio stations but those that are, like WILK, in swing states. That includes two other stations in Pennsylvania and many others across the country.

He’s not stopping.

Soros Fund Management, founded by billionaire investor George Soros, is tightening its grip over the US radio industry after scooping up a majority stake in bankrupt radio company Audacy.

In those talks, Soros’ fund, which is now controlled by the magnate’s nonprofit organization, Open Society Foundations, has privately mulled acquiring other major radio companies, including AM and FM giant Cumulus Media, according to Semafor.

Cumulus Media has been described as the second largest radio network in the country (the New York Post describes Audacy as the third largest), but either way, we are talking about a massive empire.

Audacy claimed over 200 million listeners while Cumulus claims over 250 million.

And it’s not a coincidence that this is happening right before an election.

…a Soros-backed firm played a key role in Univision’s $60 million sale of 17 Hispanic radio stations to a company run by veterans of Democratic politics, per Semafor.

Republicans could have challenged the Audacy takeover. They failed to do so. And Soros will only become more aggressive.

The untold story of Israel after October 7th

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04/14/2024

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ezgif-1-4a793677a8 — Volunteers pick fruit to help Israeli farmers O.U.

By Daniel Greenfield,

The story of what happened after Oct 7 has played out in the international media as a montage of bombs and rubble. (Or the protests of the small group of radical leftists beloved of Israeli media, ed.) And while Israel’s campaign against the Hamas perpetrators of the horrific massacres, rapes and kidnappings is an important part of the story, it is not the only one.

From the men who grabbed their guns and drove south in the hours after the attack began to the warehouses quickly set up to provide food and clothing for the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who were forced to leave their homes after the attacks from Gaza, inside Israel, the real story has been defined by a country coming together not only to fight, but to support each other.

In the month after the attacks, one survey estimated that the majority of Israeli Jews were volunteering in one form or another at everything from baking cookies for soldiers to standing guard at potential terrorist targets. With hundreds of thousands of soldiers mobilized and hundreds of thousands of people stranded, even the most ordinary things became a problem.

Like laundry.

A Chassidic rabbi loaded up washing machines and dryers on trucks and headed with them to an army base. Laundry from displaced families was crowdsourced through social media groups with messages like, “there are at least 2000 people from Sderot who need help with their laundry. If you can help with doing one or two loads please reach out.”

Both religious and secular groups assembled massive warehouses filled with clothing and supplies for displaced people. Restaurants have set up meals and volunteers have deployed mobile kitchens in parking lots. And tens of thousands volunteer to cook in their own homes.

Weddings and bar mitzvahs have gone forward for refugee families welcomed by communities. Teenagers have volunteered to babysit and to perform household chores for military families.

At farms, including in the communities targeted by the Islamic terrorist invaders, tens of thousands headed to help. In one kibbutz, a “motley dozen-strong crew ranging from housewives to engineers and stockbrokers” could be found “tending to around 600 dairy cows”.

Polly Levine, the daughter of longtime David Horowitz Freedom Center supporter Tammy Steinsapir, recently wrote about her experiences doing everything from preparing food boxes to planting broccoli. “I was surprised to see hundreds of volunteers from all over the world: Australia, Great Britain, South Africa, France, Mexico and beyond,” she wrote.

And in grimmer work, in the days after the attacks, volunteers arrived to dig graves to bury the over 1,000 dead. “Google docs were sent out on community WhatsApp groups and it wasn’t unusual for empty 2 a.m. slots to be filled within minutes in the race to honorably bury the dead.”

“We had 50 people yesterday,” a police officer said. “Now the invitation to volunteers has gone viral, and we’re worried 5,000 could turn up.”

And there are the armed volunteers putting their lives on the line.

After the attacks, hospitals asked anyone with a gun license to volunteer as a guard. Other volunteer guards rallied to protect kindergartens in Jerusalem after the soldiers who usually defend them were summoned to war. While normal kindergartens don’t require soldiers or guards, Islamic terrorists have repeatedly targeted Israeli children. In one notorious incident in 2011, Hamas even fired an anti-tank missile at a school bus. Fortunately it hit only after most of the children had disembarked and only one teenage boy was wounded in the terrorist attack.

600 civilian security squads were established after the attacks and armed with thousands of rifles. That now includes haredim. These squads help patrol and secure communities likely to be targeted by terrorists. Volunteer forces had played a crucial role in countering the Hamas invasion at a time when the Israeli military had been caught by surprise and was outnumbered by the attacking terrorists.

The volunteerism is only the outward expression of a country at war. At a Shabbat table, I heard the story of a woman who calmly stated, “my husband is in the army, my father is in the army and my son is in the army”. After the Oct 7 attacks, reporting rates in some reserve units passed 100% with personnel showing up who had not even been called up. One viral video shows a 73-year-old “soldier” visiting his 101-year-old mother and then standing watch in the rain.

And that solidarity is really the untold story of what happened after Oct 7.

Turn on CNN and you’ll see the same montage of crying old women in hijabs and wrecked buildings that seems to have been running as a constant feed in the region since the rise of cable news, but in Israel, the story is not just the war, it’s also the peace. Before Oct 7, Israel had been tearing itself apart along political and religious lines. The underlying tensions haven’t gone away and every Hamas hostage offer calculatedly plays on those same divisions.

But Israel has also come together to a remarkable extent. That’s not a story which interests the media, but it ought to interest us because our hope for the future also lies in solidarity. In the years since 9/11, 7/7 or the other numberless Islamic terror atrocities that should have marked an awakening, we have learned all too well that superior weapons are not enough to win a war.

Wars are not just won or lost with firepower, but with the spirit of a people. The food baskets, clothing warehouses, volunteer guards, cooks and even gravediggers represent something as important, and perhaps even more important, than a military force: a national spirit.

“I see mothers of soldiers on the front lines volunteering in supermarkets. I see rabbis leaving their communities, traveling 48 hours across multiple countries to return home and fight for their country.” an email circulating after Oct 7 read. “I see police officers feeding bottles to babies who no longer have parents. I see teenage girls with flags at 2:30 in the morning dancing for soldiers who have returned to fight who simply cannot believe their eyes.”

The war against Islamic terrorism is not only a physical war, it is a spiritual war. Fighting it with weapons, but without conviction, with drones but without a national revival, has failed and will go on failing. Islamic terrorists do not just attack our bodies, they seek to destroy our spirit. They divide us in order to conquer us, they terrorize us and then play the victims, and they make every effort to convince us of the futility and wrongness of our cause so that they may defeat us.

Israel has long been the canary in the coal mine of Islamic terrorism. It has shown us how to physically fight terrorism. Perhaps it will now show us how to awaken our nations to the war.

After Iranian attack: NYPD to beef up security around Jewish institutions

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New York - NYPD Union article — . Photo Credit: AP

(A7) New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Saturday night that he had directed the New York Police Department to beef up security around Jewish institutions in the city in the wake of the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel.

Adams stressed that there is no direct threat to Jewish institutions in New York City at the time and the decision to increase security was made as a precaution.

“As mayor of the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel, the significance of Iran’s attack for Jewish New Yorkers — many of whom have family in Israel — is not lost on me, especially with Passover just days away,” said Adams, adding, “New York City stands with Israel.”

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Said City ‘Unequivocally’ Stands With Israel – https://t.co/YWovLUOo2U @ericadamsfornyc @NYCMayor #IsraelAtWar #IranAttack #Stand_With_Israel
Follow the TJNEWS WHATSAPP GROUP 🔗 https://t.co/jesT9DsCP5 TELEGRAM 🔗 https://t.co/x9yrB4rD4X pic.twitter.com/3twG2kYiI8

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

“While there is no direct or imminent threat to New York City at this time, we have directed the NYPD to deploy additional resources to Jewish communities and houses of worship citywide out of abundance of caution,” the mayor added.

“Our administration has also begun outreach to both Jewish leaders and elected officials across the five boroughs to keep them apprised of the situation. Our intelligence and counterterrorism teams will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Adams stated.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed solidarity with Israel and wrote, “New York stands with the people of Israel as they face a horrific attack by Iran.”

“We are not aware of any domestic threats. As a precautionary measure, New York State Police, the NY National Guard and the NYS Division of Homeland Security are on high alert to protect houses of worship and high-profile locations,” she added.

Sen. Cruz: I stand with Israel to do whatever it takes to defend itself

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Op-Ed - The Israeli Canary article - pic 2 — Photo Credit: AP

(A7) US Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Saturday night condemned the Iranian attack on Israel which involved drones and missiles launched directly from Israeli territory.

“Iran has encircled Israel and has been attacking our Israeli allies from almost every front for months. They have launched attacks from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, the West Bank, Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon, and of course the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Now they have escalated by launching attacks directly from Iranian territory,” Cruz said in a statement.

“These attacks are enabled and financed by deliberate policy choices made by Joe Biden and Biden officials, who have allowed roughly $100 billion to flow to Iran since 2021. Americans and Israelis have been made catastrophically more vulnerable by these policies,” he added.

“Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Iran has made a huge mistake in attacking America’s closest ally in the Middle East. Israel will emerge from this crisis stronger. As I have always done, I stand with Israel to do whatever it takes to defend itself,” stated Cruz, long known for his staunch support of Israel.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the Iranian strike.

In a statement following the call, Biden wrote, “Earlier today, Iran—and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq—launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.”

“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the US military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week. Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” he added.

“I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel. I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” said Biden.

Argentina’s Javier Milei Expresses Unwavering Commitment to the State of Israel

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04/14/2024

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Javier-Milei-at-Davos-640x480 — Javier-Milei-at-Davos-

Argentina’s Javier Milei Expresses Unwavering Commitment to the State of Israel

By: A7 News – IsraelNationalNews.com

Argentina’s President Javier Milei on Saturday night expressed support for Israel following the Iranian attack on the Jewish state.

“Argentina expresses solidarity and unwavering commitment to the State of Israel, in view of the attacks initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.

“The Argentine Republic recognizes the right of nation states to defend themselves, and firmly supports the State of Israel in defending its sovereignty, especially against regimes that promote terrorism and seek to destroy Western civilization,” added Milei.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz thanked the Argentine President and wrote on social media, “Thank you President Milei. Today, the entire free world must support Israel against the Iranian axis of evil.”

Milei is considered an avid supporter of the state of Israel and announced that he intends to move Argentina’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

In his election campaign, the President promised that his first visit as a president abroad would be to Israel – a promise he kept.

MK Danny Danon, Israel’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, responded early Sunday morning to Iran’s missile attack on Israel.

The attack began at 10:40p.m. Saturday night, and according to US sources will likely include 400-500 UAVs, in addition to missiles.

“In the face of escalating aggression from Iran against the State of Israel, we stand resolute and unwavering,” he began. “Just as we have triumphed over challenges and hostilities in the past, we are prepared to meet this threat from the fanatical Ayatollahs of Iran head-on.”

“Our resolve remains unshaken, and our commitment to defending our sovereignty and ensuring the safety of our citizens is of the highest priority. We will respond with clarity and determination, standing tall and firm against any attempts to undermine our sovereignty and security.

“Together, we will overcome this challenge, just as we have overcome others before.”

IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, responded late Saturday night to Iran’s attack on Israel, which saw the launch of over 100 UAVs, as well as cruise missiles.

“Iran has launched a direct attack from Iranian soil toward the State of Israel,” Hagari said. “We are closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en-route to Israel sent by Iran.”

He stressed, “This is a severe and dangerous escalation.”

“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large- scale attack from Iran.

“Together with our partners, the Israel Defense Forces is operating at full-force to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel. This is a mission that we are determined and ready to fulfill.”

Hagari explained, “Iran has launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from its territory toward the State of Israel. We are monitoring these aerial threats – this is a threat that takes several hours to reach Israeli territory. The IDF and the Israeli Air Force are implementing the plan we prepared in advance.”

“As part of the preparations, GPS services will not be available in certain areas – the disruption is deliberate and according to plan. If we detect additional threats with a shorter arrival time, we will update you immediately.”

He stressed, “Continue to act responsibly and calmly, as you have done so far, and be sure to follow the guidelines. The IDF is prepared and ready across all its defensive and offensive systems; we have prepared for a variety of scenarios in advance.”

“We are operating in close cooperation with the U.S and our partners in the region to counter the launches and intercept them. We have several layers of protection from the Israeli Air Force and Navy as well as additional layers of protection from the U.S. military. We have an excellent Aerial Defense Array which is fully operational, but remember – the defense is not hermetic. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to the guidelines and follow the orders of the Home Front Command – they save lives.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, a US official told CNN on Saturday night.

The two had spoken hours after Iran had launched its massive barrage of drones and missiles at Israel.

After the conversation, Gallant wrote on social media, “Spoke with Secretary Austin about Israel’s defensive operations in the face of Iran’s attack. We are prepared for any further threats, and are determined to defend our citizens.”

“Thank you to Secretary Austin and the US Administration for standing boldly with Israel,” he added.

Gallant and Austin had previously spoken on Thursday night. In a readout following the call, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that Austin reiterated during the conversation with Gallant “ironclad US support for Israel’s defense in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies.”

“Echoing President Biden’s unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, a senior administration official and a senior defense official told NBC News on Saturday night that there is concern among top US officials that Israel could do something quickly in response to Iran’s attacks without thinking through potential fallout afterward.

Biden has privately expressed concern that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to drag the US more deeply into a broader conflict, according to three people familiar with his comments.

Those concerns stem in part from the administration’s views of the approach Israel has taken to its war against Hamas, as well as the attack in Damascus.

While the White House believes the Israelis are not looking for a wider war or a direct war with Iran, particularly given the resources they have fighting the war in Gaza, US officials can’t be certain, the senior administration official said. (IsraelNationalNews.com)

Teen Who Allegedly Punched And Robbed Elderly Woman Attempts Suicide While In Custody: REPORT

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BT Mariane Angela (Daily Caller)

A teen who was arrested for allegedly punching and robbing an elderly woman outside Queens church attempted to take his own life Friday, the New York Post reported.

Jayvaun Prince, 16, was arrested Thursday following an alleged violent assault and robbery of a 68-year-old woman. The incident was captured on video that appeared to show the woman allegedly being brutally attacked and robbed of her purse on April 7. While the teen was held at the NYPD’s 107th Precinct, he reportedly attempted suicide, according to the New York Post.

He reportedly used his shirt to fashion a noose around his neck. Officers intervened promptly and Prince was hospitalized, though his injuries were not life-threatening, the outlet reported. A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office stated that the teenager is scheduled to be arraigned Friday evening in the juvenile section of the Queens Criminal Court.

Prince faces multiple charges, including robbery and grand larceny. He is also accused of a separate crime on April 4, where he allegedly robbed another woman in a Queens apartment complex before allegedly stealing her car. (RELATED: Video Shows Suspects Beating, Slamming Store Manager To The Ground For Trying To Foil Alleged Robbery)

“The viciousness with which the defendant is accused of having committed the robbery at the church struck the city at its core,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said in a statement, according to the New York Post. “As alleged, he chose to rob an elderly woman by first pushing her down the stairs and then proceeded to take her purse and leave her to suffer while he took off in her car. He will now have to answer for the serious charges levied against him by my Office.”

Biden Tells Netanyahu that US Won’t Engage in Counterattack on Iran; Urges Israel Not to Respond

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COVER - Bibi Defies Biden article - pic 2 — The friction between the Israeli and U.S. administrations was further highlighted in a phone conversation between Netanyahu and President Biden on Monday, their first in over a month. Credit: AP

Biden Tells Netanyahu that US Won’t Engage in Counterattack on Iran; Urges Israel Not to Respond

Edited by: Fern Sidman

As tensions simmer in the Middle East following Iran’s recent barrage of drones and missiles aimed at Israeli territory, President Joe Biden has conveyed a clear message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Washington will not support a counterattack on Iran by Israel, according to a detailed report on Axios.com.

During a call between the two leaders in the aftermath of the Iranian attacks, Biden emphasized that the United States “will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran and will not support such operations,” according to a White House official cited by Axios.

⚡️BREAKING: Axios reports that Biden told Netanyahu the US won’t support an Israeli counterattack on Iran. pic.twitter.com/nmT8nKplnt

— Suppressed News (@SuppressedNws) April 14, 2024

Biden convened a meeting with his security advisers to assess the situation comprehensively. While recognizing the gravity of the escalating tensions, Biden and his senior advisers expressed deep concern over the potential for an Israeli response to Iran’s aggression, fearing it could spark a regional conflict with catastrophic consequences.

Netanyahu, in response, acknowledged Biden’s position, indicating his understanding of the United States’ stance on the matter.

Highlighting the success of joint defensive efforts by the United States, Israel, and other regional nations, Biden praised the collaborative efforts that led to the failure of the Iranian attack. Axios also reported that he commended Israel for its resilience, telling Netanyahu, “you got a win. Take the win.”

In an official statement following his call with Netanyahu, Biden condemned the attacks launched by Iran and its proxies operating in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq in the strongest terms possible. According to the information provided in the Axios.com report, he reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Israel’s defense, noting that the U.S. military had deployed aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region in response to the escalating threat.

“We helped Israel take down nearly all the incoming drones and missiles,” Biden stated, underscoring the close coordination and cooperation between the two allies in confronting shared security challenges.

He praised Israel’s ability to deter and defeat threats, sending a clear message to its adversaries that attempts to undermine its security will not succeed.

Biden also announced plans to convene a meeting with fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack, as was reported by Axios.com. This coordinated effort reflects the international community’s determination to address threats to regional stability and security effectively.

“We will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people,” Biden affirmed, calling attention to the United States’ readiness to respond decisively to any challenges to its allies’ security.

The attack, purportedly in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus that resulted in casualties, has further heightened the volatile situation in the region. While Israel has not officially acknowledged the airstrike on Iran’s consulate, the aftermath of the attack places a spotlight on the potential for further escalation.

The Israeli military has reported intercepting the “vast majority” of Iranian missiles and drones, though some minor damage to infrastructure in southern Israel has been recorded, according to Axios.

In response to the escalating crisis, Biden has announced plans to convene the other G7 leaders to coordinate a “united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” as was pointed out in the Axios.com report. Biden condemned the attacks in the strongest possible terms, emphasizing the need for a collective response to address the security challenges posed by Iran and its proxies operating in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.

Iran Launches Massive Aerial Assault on Israel, Escalating Regional Tensions

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iRan lead image — Iron dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets fired from Lebanon, as it seen over the Hula Valley, April 12, 2024. Photo by Ayal Margolin/Flash90

Iran Launches Massive Aerial Assault on Israel, Escalating Regional Tensions

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Iran executed a large-scale aerial attack on Israel on Saturday night, unleashing over 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles, and 110 surface-to-surface missiles, with the majority originating from Iran, while a smaller portion was launched from Iraq and Yemen.

Iranian ballistic missiles intercepted over the Temple Mount/al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem: – Israel’s Channel 12 reports that a senior Israeli official has vowed an ‘unprecedented response’ is coming to Iran’s attack and tells Israelis not to ‘go to bed due to what is coming’.… pic.twitter.com/Y4LTE1jYHG

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

Israeli military officials reported that the strikes caused only minor damage to one military base, with the majority of airborne threats intercepted before reaching their intended targets, as was reported by The New York Times on Saturday night. The United States confirmed its assistance in shooting down some of the drones and missiles, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two allies in countering Iranian aggression.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Never cars about the Arabs or Al Aqsa or Jerusalem – Yoseph Haddad #IranAttack #Jerusalem #israelatwar #DroneAttack
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— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

A 10 year old Bedouin boy died from the Iranian strike in the Negev. 700 rocket alerts. #IranAttack #Bedouin #rockets #DroneAttack #IsraelAtWar More to come Follow the TJNEWS channel on WHATSAPP 🔗 https://t.co/EJdU3YPZTT TELEGRAM 🔗https://t.co/x9yrB4rD4X pic.twitter.com/ctyHeVtFtI

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

The attack, meticulously aimed at targets both inside Israel and the territories it controls, underscores the strategic depth and capability of Iran’s military apparatus. According to the information provided in the NYT report, the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps, in a statement broadcast on state television, claimed responsibility for launching “dozens of drones and missiles” from Iran in retaliation for what it termed as “crimes” committed by “the Zionist regime.”

A senior IDF official said that we intercepted 99% of the rockets and drones. #IranAttack #rockets #DroneAttack #IsraelatWar Follow the TJNEWS channel on WHATSAPP 🔗 https://t.co/EJdU3YPZTT TELEGRAM 🔗https://t.co/x9yrB4rD4X pic.twitter.com/NeP2T8yxFz

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

Subsequent social media posts from the Revolutionary Guards threatened further strikes if Iran or its interests were targeted, while also cautioning the United States against involvement in the conflict, the NYT reported.

BREAKING: – The security cabinet has authorized the war cabinet to make decisions regarding Israel’s response to the Iran attack. This means that the war cabinet will not have to return to the security cabinet in order to get decisions approved, thereby streamlining the process… pic.twitter.com/qw0xBEBEJT

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

The retaliatory action comes in response to an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus on April 1st, which resulted in the deaths of seven Iranian officers, including three high-ranking commanders, as was indicated in the NYT report. Senior Iranian officials and military leaders had previously vowed to retaliate, setting the stage for the subsequent aerial assault on Israeli territory.

#IranAttack https://t.co/Zhu2KpaRxU

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

Latest report indicate that Iran sent 70 more missiles on a second wave towards Israel. #Iran #Ballisticmissile .#Drones #Iranianattack .#Tel Aviv #Jerusalem #israel pic.twitter.com/wJ68XwkOBX

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

Magen David Adom, the Israeli emergency response service, reported that a 10-year-old girl from an Arab Bedouin community in southern Israel was injured during the attacks. The information in the NYT report indicated that the girl sustained head injuries from shrapnel and was promptly transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Additionally, approximately 20 individuals were treated for anxiety or injuries sustained while seeking shelter during the attacks, according to the same statement.

Jerusalem is under attack by Iranian missiles https://t.co/OaHeyzlyZg

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 13, 2024

Among the targeted areas was the strategically significant Golan Heights, a region bordering Syria that Israel annexed nearly six decades ago. Hezbollah, the Lebanese terrorist group supported by Iran, claimed responsibility for firing dozens of rockets at an Israeli barracks located in the Golan Heights, as was noted in the NYT report. However, it remains unclear whether this specific bombardment was part of the broader Iranian attack.

Extremely rare footage shows an exoatmospheric interception amid the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel, likely by Israel’s state-of-the-art Arrow 3 air defense system. The IDF it intercepted “the vast majority of the dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles that were fired… pic.twitter.com/kBH2N0Led5

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

Israel’s military retaliated by launching airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces complex in southern Lebanon. These strikes were conducted in response to Hezbollah’s incursion into Israeli territory with two explosive drones on Saturday, the NYT reported. Additional airstrikes were carried out against Hezbollah structures throughout the night, according to Israeli military sources.

Iran Warns US Not to Respond; Says Next Attack on Israel Will Be More Severe – https://t.co/mohbPv12v0 @JoeBiden #IsraelAtWar #IranAttackIsrael #DroneAttack #missile @IranIntl_En
Follow the TJNEWS WHATSAPP GROUP 🔗 https://t.co/jesT9DsCP5 TELEGRAM 🔗 https://t.co/x9yrB4rD4X pic.twitter.com/9rb2Ca9IWI

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

In the aftermath of the attacks, air-raid sirens reverberated across vast swathes of southern Israel, the Judea and Samaria region and the Golan Heights, prompting residents to seek refuge. The report in the NYT said that the Israeli government issued warnings about possible missile threats in the Negev Desert, where several military bases are situated. Furthermore, the airspaces of Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon were temporarily closed in response to the escalating conflict.

Iran Warns US Not to Respond; Says Next Attack on Israel Will Be More Severe – https://t.co/mohbPv12v0 @JoeBiden #IsraelAtWar #IranAttackIsrael #DroneAttack #missile @IranIntl_En
Follow the TJNEWS WHATSAPP GROUP 🔗 https://t.co/jesT9DsCP5 TELEGRAM 🔗 https://t.co/x9yrB4rD4X pic.twitter.com/9rb2Ca9IWI

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

The brazen attack prompted swift action from world leaders, with President Joe Biden cutting short his weekend retreat to convene with his national security team and engage in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the NYT report mentioned. Biden announced plans to convene a meeting of the G7 leaders to formulate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s aggression, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in addressing the crisis.

TRUMP AT A RALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA TONIGHT: *”G-d bless the people of Israel. They are under attack right now. That’s because we show great weakness… It would not have happened if we were in office.”* @realDonaldTrump #IsraelAtWar #IranAttack #DroneAttack Follow the TJNEWS… pic.twitter.com/VFmEU7Kk3Q

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

The United States military reported that it successfully intercepted dozens of drones and missiles launched by Iran, underscoring its commitment to defending Israel and its allies against external threats. As per the information in the NYT report, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesman, acknowledged the assistance provided by allies in intercepting the onslaught, highlighting the collective effort to safeguard Israeli territory.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III confirmed that U.S. forces intercepted numerous missiles and attack drones launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, though specific details regarding the interceptions were not disclosed.

CBS News Contributor Robert Berger reports from Jerusalem after watching Iranian drones get shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. @CBSNews #IranAttack #IsraelAtWar #Jerusalem @IronDomeISR #DroneAttack Follow the TJNEWS channel on WHATSAPP 🔗… pic.twitter.com/yXxIQAKQNf

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

In response to the escalating conflict, Britain’s Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced on Saturday that British jets were prepared to intercept airborne attacks within the range of existing missions in the Middle East, according to the information contained in the NYT report. Additionally, Britain deployed additional jets and air refueling tankers to bolster operations in Iraq and Syria, signaling a commitment to enhancing regional security and stability.

France’s Foreign Minister, Stéphane Séjourné, joined in condemning Iran’s attacks on Israel, affirming unwavering support for Israel in the face of aggression. Similarly, the NYT also reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany characterized the attacks as “unjustifiable and highly irresponsible,” pledging Germany’s solidarity with Israel and vowing to discuss the situation with allies.

JUST IN – The U.S. helped Israel “take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” Pres. Biden said in a statement late Saturday evening. Biden said he reaffirmed America’s “ironclad” commitment to the security of Israel. @JoeBiden #IsraelAtWar #IranAttackIsrael… pic.twitter.com/0Ef1TJs0b3

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) April 14, 2024

The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Sunday afternoon to address Iran’s attacks on Israel. Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, had requested the meeting, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for international action to address the escalating conflict, according to the NYT report.

Iran’s foreign ministry characterized the attack on Israel as a “defensive measure,” framing it as a demonstration of Iran’s responsible approach to regional and international peace and security, the report noted.

Against this backdrop of heightened tensions, Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, conducted a situational assessment at military headquarters in Tel Aviv with commanders of the air force, operations, and intelligence directorates, as was detailed in the NYT report. The meeting aimed to discuss the recent events and formulate plans for the continuation of operations, underscoring Israel’s commitment to ensuring its security and defending against external threats.

The latest escalation in tensions between Iran and Israel raises concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region. With Iran demonstrating a willingness to engage in aggressive actions, the prospect of a wider conflict looms large, threatening to engulf neighboring countries and destabilize the delicate balance of power in the Middle East.

As diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation falter, the specter of open warfare remains a troubling reality. The international community, including regional actors and global powers, faces a critical challenge in mitigating the risks of a broader conflagration and preserving peace and security in the Middle East.

Six Dead After Maniac Goes on Slashing Spree At Sydney Mall

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04/13/2024

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(A7) Six people are dead after a man with a knife attacked shoppers at the Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia. Several more were injured to varying degrees.

The attacker was noticed by a nearby police officer, who began pursuing him. According to ABC, he turned on the officer and raised his knife, whereupon she shot him dead.

Local authorities have not released the identity of either the victims or the attacker. Australia’s federal authorities are investigating the incident, but believe it to be unrelated to terrorism.

Acting NSW Premier Penny Sharpe said: “I’m personally distressed by this … This is not who we are, this is not the community that we live in. We hold in our hearts the families and the friends and those who have lost loved ones. We stand with those who are waiting to hear from those that have been injured.” She also praised the officer, saying that these had doubtless saved many lives.

Israel says Iran launched a number of drones toward it that will take hours to arrive

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04/13/2024

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Screenshot-3100-e1687420994168-750x400 — Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh meets Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran on June 21st, 2023 (Twitter/Screenshot)

(AP) — The Israeli military says Iran has launched a number of drones toward Israel.

The army’s spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the aircraft to arrive. He said Israel was prepared. He spoke Saturday evening.

Israel has been on heightened alert since an airstrike last week killed two Iranian generals in Syria. Iran accused Israel of being behind the attack and vowed revenge. Israel has not commented on that attack.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.

Commandos from Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard rappelled from a helicopter onto an Israeli-affiliated container ship near the Strait of Hormuz and seized the vessel Saturday in the latest attack between the two countries.

The seizure followed a suspected Israeli strike this month on an Iranian consular building in Syria that killed 12 people, including a senior Guard general.

Iran has promised to retaliate, and U.S. President Joe Biden cut short a weekend trip to his beach house in Delaware to return to the White House and monitor the situation. Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip has inflamed decade-old tensions in the Middle East, and any new attack threatens to escalate that conflict into a wider regional war.

Iran’s state-run IRNA said a special forces unit of the Guard’s navy carried out the attack on the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime.

Iran’s foreign minister accuses US of giving Israel ‘green light’ to attack consulate in Syria
Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group. Zodiac declined to comment and referred questions to MSC. Geneva-based MSC acknowledged the seizure and said 25 crew members were on the ship.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel,” MSC said.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the crew was made up of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals and urged Iran to release them and the vessel.

IRNA said the Guard would take the vessel into Iranian territorial waters.

A Middle East defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, provided video of the attack to The Associated Press in which Iranian commandos are seen rappelling onto a stack of containers on the vessel’s deck.

A crew member can be heard saying: “Don’t come out.” He then tells his colleagues to go to the ship’s bridge as more commandos come down. One commando can be seen kneeling above the others to provide them potential cover fire.

The video corresponded with known details of the MSC Aries. The commandos rappelled from what appeared to be a Soviet-era Mil Mi-17 helicopter, which both the Guard and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have used before to raid ships.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations described the vessel as being “seized by regional authorities” in the Gulf of Oman off the Emirati port city of Fujairah, without elaborating.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on nations to list the Guard as a terrorist organization.

Iran “is a criminal regime that supports Hamas’ crimes and is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law,” Katz said.

For days, Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have threatened to “slap” Israel for its Syria strike.

Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran and is ready “for any scenario,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday.

“Whoever strikes us, we will strike them. We will defend ourselves against every threat and we will do this calmly and with determination,” he said.

The U.S., Israel’s main backer, has stood by the country despite growing concerns over Israel’s war on Gaza killing more than 33,600 Palestinians and wounding over 76,200 more. Israel’s war began after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage.

The Pentagon said Saturday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart “to discuss urgent regional threats … and made clear that Israel could count on full U.S. support to defend Israel against any attacks by Iran and its regional proxies.” National security adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke with his counterpart to reinforce Washington’s “ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.”

In Iran, meanwhile, officials publicly denied faked text messages sent in the name of civil defense authorities that urged the public to “prepare drinking water and dry food” due to the “emerging emergency situation.

Iran since 2019 has engaged in a series of ship seizures, and attacks on vessels have been attributed to it amid ongoing tensions with the West over its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

In previous seizures, Iran’s initial explanations made it seem like the attacks had nothing to do with wider geopolitical tensions, then later acknowledged as much. In Saturday’s attack, however, Iran said only that the MSC Aries had links to Israel.

Iran has largely avoided directly attacking Israel, despite its targeted killings of nuclear scientists and sabotage campaigns on Iran’s atomic sites. Iran has targeted Israeli or Jewish-linked sites through proxy forces.

Amid concerns about the increased tensions, Lufthansa Group on Saturday extended its suspension of flights between Frankfurt and Tehran through Thursday and said its planes would avoid Iranian airspace. The German carrier also said that, until at least Tuesday, flights to and from Amman will be operated as “day flights” so crews won’t spend a night in the Jordanian capital.

Dutch airline KLM said it will no longer fly over Iran or Israel but will continue flights to and from Tel Aviv.

The Gulf of Oman is near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all globally traded oil passes. Fujairah, on the United Arab Emirates’ eastern coast, is a main port for ships to take on new oil cargo, pick up supplies or trade out crew.

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Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, Krutika Pathi in New Delhi, Stephen Graham in Berlin, Thomas Adamson in Paris, and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

by Taboola
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Settlers Clash with Palestinians: Violence Unfolds After Jewish Teenage Boy Found Murdered

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04/13/2024

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(i24) Settlers have unleashed chaos in the village of al-Mughayyir in the West Bank, resulting in the injury of six Palestinians, one critically, after being shot in the head.

These events unfolded following the disappearance of 14-year-old Benjamin Achimeir from a nearby outpost, who was later found murdered

Footage captured the intensity of the situation as settlers opened fire and hurled stones at Palestinians in the town, located approximately 17 miles north of Ramallah. Clashes ensued between the two groups as local Palestinians attempted to defend their community.

Wafa reported that, in addition to the critical head injury sustained by one individual, the other five Palestinians suffered gunshot wounds to their lower extremities.

The IDF released a statement on the incident saying, “In recent hours, clashes have developed between Israeli and Palestinian citizens in several locations in Judea and Samaria, during which participants threw stones and opened fire. Dozens of Israelis and Palestinians were injured in various degrees.”

Settlers set ablaze a residential home in al-Mughayyir, and shockingly targeted the firetruck that arrived to douse the flames, exacerbating the chaos and destruction.

Later, it was reported settlers reportedly escalated tensions further by opening fire on the funeral procession of Jihad Abu Alia, who tragically lost his life during yesterday’s rampage by settlers in the same village.

Violent Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians are intensifying across the occupied West Bank, this from the village of Duma near Nablus.

Israeli settler violence is state violence. A daily & brazen reality of brutal Israeli occupation & apartheid. pic.twitter.com/Qv2Eax8d7P

— Joseph Willits (@josephwillits) April 13, 2024

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard seizes a container ship near Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Israel

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TJV news

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04/13/2024

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(AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Commandos from Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard rappelled from a helicopter onto an Israeli-affiliated container ship near the Strait of Hormuz and seized the vessel Saturday in the latest attack between the two countries.

The seizure followed a suspected Israeli strike this month on an Iranian consular building in Syria that killed 12 people, including a senior Guard general.

Iran has promised to retaliate, and U.S. President Joe Biden cut short a weekend trip to his beach house in Delaware to return to the White House and monitor the situation. Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip has inflamed decade-old tensions in the Middle East, and any new attack threatens to escalate that conflict into a wider regional war.

Iran’s state-run IRNA said a special forces unit of the Guard’s navy carried out the attack on the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, a container ship associated with London-based Zodiac Maritime.

Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group. Zodiac declined to comment and referred questions to MSC. Geneva-based MSC acknowledged the seizure and said 25 crew members were on the ship.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their wellbeing, and safe return of the vessel,” MSC said.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the crew was made up of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian and Estonian nationals and urged Iran to release them and the vessel.

A Middle East defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, provided video of the attack to The Associated Press in which Iranian commandos are seen rappelling onto a stack of containers on the vessel’s deck.

A crew member can be heard saying: “Don’t come out.” He then tells his colleagues to go to the ship’s bridge as more commandos come down. One commando can be seen kneeling above the others to provide them potential cover fire.

The video corresponded with known details of the MSC Aries. The commandos rappelled from what appeared to be a Soviet-era Mil Mi-17 helicopter, which both the Guard and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have used before to raid ships.

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations described the vessel as being “seized by regional authorities” in the Gulf of Oman off the Emirati port city of Fujairah, without elaborating.

This image made from a video provided to The Associated Press by a Mideast defense official shows a helicopter raid targeting a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 13, 2024. A video seen by The Associated Press shows commandos raiding a ship near the Strait of Hormuz by helicopter Saturday, an attack a Mideast defense official attributed to Iran amid wider tensions between Tehran and the West. The Mideast defense official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. (AP Photo)