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Netanyahu: We will kill Sinwar, just like we killed Haman in Purim story

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Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar. (Flash90/Abed Rahim Khatib)

By World Israel News Staff

During a visit with border guards from the Military Police Corps on Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew parallels between the biblical story of Purim and current tensions, vowing to eliminate Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar akin to the demise of Haman.

“We will unite, fight, and win just as we did in ancient times,” Netanyahu declared, echoing the narrative of the Jewish people’s victory over oppression. He further pledged, “We will enter Rafah and achieve total victory. We eliminated Haman, we will eliminate Sinwar as well.”

Amid the Purim festival, Netanyahu’s invocation of historical parallels underscores the enduring nature of conflict in the region.

Netanyahu emphasized the threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, drawing a connection between ancient and modern adversaries.

“Today we celebrate Purim,”, said Netanyahu. “An antisemitic enemy, the evil Haman, arose more than 2,000 years ago in ancient Persia, and sought to wipe the Jews off the face of the earth. Those Jews rose, united, fought and won a total victory.”

“Today in modern Persia, a new enemy has arisen – the Iranian regime, which seeks to destroy the Jewish state. We have already seen what one of this enemy’s messengers did. On October 7th Hamas committed, what even President Biden termed ‘absolute evil.’”

“Just like in ancient times, just like our brethren, we too must unite, fight and win,” Netanyahu declared.

Netanyahu’s statements come in the wake of warnings from US Vice President Kamala Harris, who cautioned against military intervention in Rafah.

Harris hinted that the Biden administration may take punitive actions against Israel if the warning is ignored.

Rimac Nevera: The World’s Fastest Electric Hypercar Makes Waves at the New York Auto Show

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Rimac Nevera- Shutterstock

Rimac Nevera: The World’s Fastest Electric Hypercar Makes Waves at the New York Auto Show

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a blaze of electric glory, the Rimac Nevera, the fastest electric vehicle on the planet, is set to make its grand entrance at the New York Auto Show, as was reported by the New York Post.  Hailing from its birthplace in Croatia, this hypercar is primed to dazzle audiences at the Jacob K. Javits Center with its unparalleled speed and cutting-edge technology.

With a jaw-dropping top speed of 256 mph, the Rimac Nevera is not just a vehicle; it’s a testament to the pinnacle of automotive engineering,  according to the information provided in the Post report. Manufactured by Rimac Automobili, this electric marvel comes with a hefty price tag of $2.5 million, reflecting its status as a true symbol of luxury and performance.

Already spoken for before it even graces the showroom floor, the Nevera has been claimed by a New Jersey-based Croatian neurosurgeon who eagerly anticipates taking possession of this automotive masterpiece after the show concludes, the Post report revealed.  Its exclusivity is further underscored by the fact that only 150 units of the Nevera exist, making it a coveted collector’s item among automotive enthusiasts worldwide.

Beneath its sleek exterior lies a powerhouse of innovation. The Nevera is equipped with four electric motors that deliver unrivaled acceleration and performance, propelling it to astonishing speeds with ease,  as was detailed in the Post report. Its interior is a marvel of modern technology, boasting three high-definition screens and a massive battery pack that ensures both power and range are never compromised.

Debuting in 2022, the Rimac Nevera has already etched its name in the annals of automotive history, setting an impressive 25 world performance records. The report in the Post also indicated that its namesake, the Nevera wind storm that sweeps across the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, perfectly encapsulates the raw power and force embodied by this extraordinary hypercar.

Each Nevera can be meticulously customized to suit the preferences of its owner, with options ranging from premium materials to bespoke colors. Noted in the Post report was that many car buyers opt for sumptuous suede and shiny billet aluminum interiors, adding a touch of opulence to an already exceptional vehicle.

As the Rimac Nevera prepares to take center stage at the New York Auto Show, it serves as a beacon of innovation and progress in the realm of electric mobility, the Post observed.  Its groundbreaking performance and unparalleled luxury redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the world of automotive engineering, setting a new standard for excellence and pushing the limits of electric propulsion technology.

Charitable Donations from Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife Channeled to Extreme Left-Wing Causes

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Charitable Donations from Jeff Bezos’ Ex-Wife Channeled to Extreme Left-Wing Causes

Edited by: TJVNews.com

MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has recently made headlines for her philanthropic efforts, announcing a staggering $640 million in donations to various charitable organizations, according to a recent report in the New York Post. However, the distribution of these funds has sparked controversy, with critics alleging that the majority of the donations are being channeled towards causes aligned with extreme left-wing ideologies.

According to an analysis of the 361 awards announced by Scott through her foundation, Yield Giving, a significant portion of the donations will benefit nonprofits advocating for causes often associated with the political left. The Post report indicated that among these causes are migrant advocacy, LGBTQ rights, and clean energy initiatives.

One of the most notable allocations is $122 million earmarked for 67 migrant advocacy organizations, providing legal aid and other forms of assistance. The information provided in the Post report revealed that these organizations include the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, both of which have been vocal critics of state-level efforts to crack down on illegal migration and increase enforcement measures.

Critics have raised concerns about the perceived political agenda behind Scott’s donations, particularly regarding her support for causes that some view as controversial or divisive. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, expressed skepticism, stating, “Bezos’ wife is using the profits he made through capitalism to [fund] the rope that will hang capitalism,” the report in the Post said. This sentiment alludes to the irony of using wealth generated through capitalist endeavors to support causes that may be perceived as antithetical to capitalist principles.

In addition to migrant advocacy, Scott has allocated significant funds to other causes, including prisoner advocacy and LGBTQ rights. $117 million has been allocated to 67 prisoner advocacy groups and organizations assisting individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Furthermore, the Post said that $72 million has been designated for 43 groups promoting LGBTQ causes, such as championing the rights of transgender individuals, including male-born transgender athletes, to compete in sports aligned with their gender identity.

The distribution of funds towards these causes has reignited debates surrounding social justice, identity politics, and the role of philanthropy in shaping societal norms and values. Supporters argue that Scott’s donations represent a commitment to progressive ideals and addressing systemic injustices, while critics view them as ideologically driven and potentially divisive.

Amidst the controversy, Scott’s philanthropic endeavors highlight the complexities inherent in charitable giving and the influence of individual beliefs and values on donation decisions.

Gonzalez also told the Post that Scott’s donations represent a broader trend of affluent individuals leveraging their wealth to support causes that align with leftist ideologies. “These things that she’s donating money to – whether it’s transgender ideas, helping illegals, prisoner rights, climate change – they’re all trying to transform our system away from capitalism,” Gonzalez remarked, the Post report said. His comments highlight concerns about the ideological underpinnings of Scott’s philanthropic endeavors.

Gonzalez also pointed to examples such as the Rockefeller Foundation, which has a history of supporting leftist causes, as evidence of a broader trend within philanthropy.

Prior to her latest round of donations, Scott had already allocated $16.5 billion of her fortune to selected organizations. In December 2022, she launched Yield Giving, a platform aimed at streamlining her charitable efforts and soliciting applications from community-led nonprofits, as was detailed in the Post report. Organizations with budgets ranging from $1 to $5 million were invited to apply for funding, with a focus on advancing the voices and opportunities of individuals and families of modest means.

The recent announcement of $640 million in awards through Yield Giving has attracted attention for its scale and scope. Despite receiving over 6,000 applications, only 361 charities were selected to receive awards ranging from $1 million to $2 million, as per the information in the Post report.

Megan Peterson, the executive director of Gender Justice, expressed gratitude for Scott’s $2 million donation to her nonprofit, emphasizing its timeliness in the face of mounting legal challenges to gender equity, as was indicated in the Post report. Peterson underscored the crucial role of community organizing and education in dismantling gender barriers, citing recent legal victories related to emergency contraception access and transgender youth participation in sports as examples of Gender Justice’s advocacy efforts.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican from Staten Island/Brooklyn, voiced disappointment over Scott’s support for what she described as “lefty causes,” particularly the contentious issue of transgender athletes in female sports, the Post report said. Malliotakis argued that while Scott is entitled to spend her personal wealth as she sees fit, the real battle lies in addressing what she perceives as excessive government spending on similar initiatives.

In a note on her website, Scott expressed gratitude to Lever for Change and the evaluators involved in the award-selection process, acknowledging their role as “agents of change.” However, the Post report noted that representatives for Lever for Change and Scott declined to comment on the matter, leaving the motivations behind the donations open to interpretation.

Despite the praise and criticism directed at Scott, her philanthropic efforts have not been immune to scrutiny from unexpected quarters. The Post said thatElon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, condemned Scott’s past charitable donations in a now-deleted post, characterizing super-rich ex-wives who use their wealth for ideological purposes as contributors to the decline of Western civilization.

The clash of perspectives surrounding Scott’s philanthropy underscores broader questions about the role of wealth, power, and personal ideology in shaping social change. While some view her donations as a commendable effort to advance progressive causes, others perceive them as emblematic of a broader trend of wealthy individuals leveraging their resources to promote specific ideological agendas.

Ultimately, Scott’s donations serve as a catalyst for critical conversations about the role of private wealth in shaping public discourse and policy priorities, challenging individuals and institutions to examine their own values and commitments in the pursuit of a more equitable and just society.

 

‘Someone Could Tuck a Bomb on a Truck’: U.S. Officials Warn Biden’s Gaza Aid Plan Could Endanger Troops

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MV Roy Benavidez, part of the U.S. Ready Reserve Fleet, left port Thursday to deliver equipment to the U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade to construct a temporary pier that will be used to move humanitarian aid into Gaza. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter/DVIDS)

By Kristina Wong(Breitbart)

U.S. officials warned that President Joe Biden’s plan for the U.S. military to build a floating pier to deliver aid to Gaza could endanger U.S. troops, even if he has pledged there will be no boots on the ground in Gaza, according to a report.

NBC News reported Saturday that current and former administration officials are worried the plan “carries security risks.”

WATCH — Dem Sen. Welch: Biden’s Gaza Aid Pier Has “a Lot of Hazard”:

Specifically, they expressed concerns that since U.S. troops would not step foot on Gaza, non-U.S. personnel could be involved in ferrying the aid back and forth from the U.S. military to Gaza.

“Someone could tuck a bomb on a truck with a timer or remote detonator and cause a catastrophe,” a U.S. military official told NBC News.

As of now, the U.S. Navy is planning to build a dock several miles offshore from Gaza, where civilian ships would deliver aid. The aid would be loaded onto trucks and driven onto U.S. Army boats and ferried to a pier the Army is building that is fixed to the shore of Gaza.

MV Roy Benavidez, part of the U.S. Ready Reserve Fleet, left port Thursday to deliver equipment to the U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade to construct a temporary pier that will be used to move humanitarian aid into Gaza. U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter/DVIDS

MV Roy Benavidez, part of the U.S. Ready Reserve Fleet, left port Thursday to deliver equipment to the U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade to construct a temporary pier that will be used to move humanitarian aid into Gaza. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter/DVIDS)

Officials told NBC News that an option under consideration is to have drivers and guards from other nations drive the trucks from the pier onto land and to distribute the aid, and then drive the trucks back to the offshore pier to be ferried back to the Navy pier and reloaded. It is not yet determined who those drivers should be, according to the report.

Another potential option is to establish a security perimeter on Gaza protected by the Israel Defense Forces, but creating that perimeter could take extra time. In addition, the point of Biden’s floating pier plan was to bypass the Israeli government, which Biden administration officials say are not doing enough to allow aid deliveries to Palestinians.

WATCH — Dem Rep. Himes: Hamas Steals Aid, but Israel Needs to Get More Aid in:

The report suggested that not all U.S. military officials are on board with the plan, which came after Biden faced mounting criticism from progressives and Muslim Americans angry over U.S. support for Israel in its war with Hamas. The war began after Hamas conducted a terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 and kidnapping around 200.

Since Israel’s offensive against Hamas, progressives have staged protests across the country and Muslim Americans have called on voters to stay home during the November 2024 presidential election.

U.S. military officials told NBC News they first heard of the floating dock idea when Biden announced it at the State of the Union address on March 7.

A Navy official told reporters during a background briefing last week that a safety plan is being developed and that the safety of the sailors involved is a top concern.

Follow Breitbart News’s Kristina Wong on ”X”Truth Social, or on Facebook.

Dangerous Levels of Toxins Found in General Mills ‘LOADED’ Cereal: Report

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screenshot

By Megan Redshaw- Epoch Times

A new report is raising concerns over General Mills’ new cereal line after testing revealed that Trix LOADED cereal is literally loaded with high levels of heavy metals and agrochemicals.

General Mills, Inc. on Feb. 1 launched “LOADED,” a new cereal line with “puffed-up larger-than-life squares” of General Mills’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix, and Cocoa Puffs cereals filled with artificially flavored vanilla creme. Trix LOADED boasts 17 grams of whole grain per serving and 12 vitamins and minerals. Yet testing by Moms Across America (MAA), an organization dedicated to educating and empowering others to create healthy communities, found the artificially flavored creme-filled breakfast food also contains measurable levels of aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, lead, glyphosate, and pesticides shown to be harmful to humans.

In a statement to The Epoch Times, MAA director Zen Honeycutt said her organization tested two samples of General Mills’ Trix LOADED cereal because they were alarmed that the company, which had previously seemed very committed to supporting regenerative organic agriculture, launched a cereal “loaded with creme, food dyes, and highly-processed foods.”

Pesticides Found in General Mills’ Trix LOADED Cereal

In test results obtained by MAA, scientists found residues from eight different pesticides in both samples of Trix LOADED cereal.

The following six pesticide residues were found in trace amounts:

  • Imazalil-1
  • Metconazole-1
  • Pyraclostrobin-1
  • Pyrimethanil-1
  • Pyriproxyfen-1
  • Tebuconazole-1

Two pesticides, piperonyl butoxide-1 (PBO) and fluopyram-1, were detected in higher amounts. Fluopyram-1 is a broad-spectrum fungicide that can cause liver problems, endocrine disruption, and thyroid cancer.

Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is a man-made pesticide synergist that enhances the potency of certain pesticides designed to kill insects. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies PBO as a “possible human carcinogen” as studies in rats show PBO can induce thyroid and liver cancers, as well as noncancerous tumors.
More recent animal model studies suggest PBO exposure can cause neurodevelopmental abnormalities in utero and liver cancer. A 2021 study published in Reproductive Toxicology found PBO may cause male infertility and reproductive toxicity.
According to the National Pesticide Information Center, PBO is found in over 2,500 pesticide products, including foggers and mosquito control programs. Yet PBO is exempt from the EPA’s maximum residue limits, which determine the amount of pesticides allowed to remain in food. This means PBO pesticide residue is freely permitted in cereals consumed daily by children and adolescents across the United States.

Heavy Metals Exceeded EPA Allowable Levels

According to test results obtained by The Epoch Times, scientists also detected measurable levels of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and arsenic in both samples of Trix LOADED cereal that in some cases far exceeded the EPA allowable levels in drinking water. The United States does not consistently regulate heavy metals in food or assess the long-term cumulative effects of heavy metal exposure in children, but it does regulate the amount of heavy metal contaminants allowed in water.

For example, the EPA sets the allowable level of arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion (ppb). Trix LOADED cereal samples contained 21.5 and 23 ppb of lead—more than double the EPA’s allowable level. The samples contained cadmium levels 400 percent higher than the EPA’s allowable level.
The EPA allows 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L of aluminum in drinking water, equivalent to 50 to 200 ppb. Cereal samples 1 and 2 contained 2,930 ppb and 3,500 ppb of aluminum, respectively. These were 1,365 percent and 1,650 percent higher than the agency’s allowable level of aluminum in drinking water.
In 2008, the European Food Safety Authority established a “tolerable weekly intake” of 1 mg of aluminum per kg of body weight per week, based on combined evidence from animal studies that assessed dietary administration of aluminum compounds.
Using European Union standards, if a child eats a 40-gram serving of Trix LOADED cereal daily, the weekly consumption of aluminum would be 0.98 mg/week based on one sample and 0.82 mg/week based on the other. This is roughly equal to the EU’s limit without considering other sources of aluminum exposure, such as flour, baking soda, medications, processed foods, and aluminum pots and pans.

Trix LOADED Exposes Children to Toxic Glyphosate

Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world, was found in both samples of Trix LOADED cereal at 15.83 ppb and 17.47 ppb. It is a key active ingredient in weedkiller products such as Roundup.

The EPA has not classified glyphosate as a human carcinogen, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified glyphosate as “probably” carcinogenic to humans.
Studies have confirmed a link between glyphosate and numerous health conditions, including cancers and nervous system disorders. Additionally, Monsanto, now Bayer, agreed to pay roughly $11 billion to settle claims filed by individuals who say Roundup caused their non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other related cancers. As of March, there are 4,253 cancer lawsuits, out of the 4,800 claims originally filed, still pending in the California Roundup multi-district litigation.
In research published by the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, scientists found that childhood exposure to glyphosate is linked to liver inflammation and metabolic disorders in adulthood that could lead to liver cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Researchers found high levels of glyphosate residue in the urine of children and adolescents and reported that diet was a key source of exposure—as levels were higher in those who consumed more cereals and carbohydrates.
Glyphosate is routinely used on genetically modified crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, legumes, and produce.

Moms Across America Contacts General Mills

In an email to General Mills provided to The Epoch Times, MAA called on the company to source suppliers who use safe, nontoxic ingredients, despite the lack of laws and regulations that would otherwise require them to do so.

MAA requested General Mills do the following:

  • Require that suppliers of ingredients avoid using glyphosate or other agrochemicals as a drying agent or preharvest weedkiller.
  • Transition away from using glyphosate as a weedkiller within one to two years.
  • Perform quality testing on fertilizers for heavy metal contaminants and direct the safest possible fertilizer to be used.
  • Support and promote regenerative organic farming practices.

“We hope consumers will learn the truth about the contents of ‘loaded cereal’ and make choices to support their family’s health,” Ms. Honeycutt told The Epoch Times. “We also hope they [consumers] will alert their elected officials that these types of foods, with high heavy metals and agrochemicals, have no place in the American food supply.”

Ms. Honeycutt said she believes consumers should know the truth about what’s in their cereal so that they can make choices to support their family’s health, and hopes policymakers will “exercise the political will needed to clean up the food supply.”

The Epoch Times reached out to General Mills for comment.

Elon Musk Warns of DEI in Medical Schools: ‘People Will Die’

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Elon Musk, multi-billionaire owner of Twitter, rushed to defend cartoonist Scott Adams, creator of “Dilbert” comic strip, who has been facing fierce condemnation in recent days (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Elon Musk again raised concerns that the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy, particularly in medical schools, can lead to people dying.

“If the standards for passing medical exams and becoming a doctor or especially something like a surgeon, if the standards are lowered, then the probability that the surgeon will make a mistake is higher,” Mr. Musk said. “They’re making mistakes in their exam. They may make mistakes with people, and that may result in people dying.”

The tech billionaire made the argument during the show with former CNN host Don Lemon as the pair discussed the issue.

During the interview, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX tried to explain the concept to the former CNN host, but it seemed Mr. Lemon did not get it, saying, “There’s no evidence of that.”

Mr. Musk then provided an example of a surgeon in training who, despite making numerous mistakes during operations, still passed training due to lower standards. He suggested that this lower standard could increase the likelihood of fatal outcomes.

Mr. Lemon argued it was “hypothetical, that doesn’t mean it’s happening.”

“I didn’t say it was happening; I said it will. I said if we lower [the] status, people will die,” Mr. Musk pushed back.

The former CNN anchor asked why Mr. Musk would “put something out there that has not happened.”

“Because I don’t want it to happen,” the X owner insisted.

The interview, posted on several social media platforms on March 18, was supposed to be a part of the former CNN anchor’s original exclusive plans on X. However, Mr. Musk canceled his platform’s partnership with Mr. Lemon shortly after the interview.

DEI Critic

Mr. Musk has long been outspoken against the DEI initiative. During an interview with commentator Ben Shapiro earlier this year at the European Jewish Association Conference in Poland, the owner of X said people should “always be wary of any name that sounds like it could come out of a George Orwell book.”

“Diversity, equity, inclusion, these all sound like nice words. But what it really means is discrimination on the basis of race, sex, and sexual orientation, and it’s against merit,” Mr. Musk said at the time.

During the interview, Mr. Musk noted that the solution to address this DEI problem is for universities to focus on merit. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a man, [or] woman, what race you are, what beliefs you have. What matters is how good you are at your job or what your skills are,” he said.

‘DEI Is Dangerous Everywhere, but It’s Most Dangerous in Medical Schools’

On March 7, the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled, “Divisive, Excessive, Ineffective: The Real Impact of DEI on College Campuses.”

During the testimony, Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, former associate dean of curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, and chair of the medical nonprofit Do No Harm, raised great concerns about the DEI initiative in medical schools and warned of its potential consequences.

“DEI is dangerous everywhere, but it’s most dangerous in medical schools,” Dr. Goldfarb raised the alarm.

“Americans need to know exactly what’s happening. Your future doctors are learning about divisive politics at the expense of life-saving care. They’re being taught to discriminate by race, not treat patients equally. Ultimately, your future doctor is being trained to be an activist,” he warned. “If we don’t restore medical school to its real mission, Americans will inevitably suffer a diminished quality of health care.”

During the hearing, Dr. Goldfarb accused the Association of American Medical Colleges, which manages medical education, of forcing “medical schools to teach intersectionality, oppression, colonization, and white supremacy among other core DEI topics.”

He cited an example of a medical student who recently told his organization Do No Harm that the student had spent more time learning about pronouns than understanding kidney function.

Dr. Goldfarb also alleged that medical schools now lower admission standards due to DEI policies, saying, “Some have abandoned requiring the MCAT [Medical College Admission Test] for all applicants even though the MCAT is the best predictor of a student’s ability to become a doctor.”

“By recruiting less qualified students, medical schools are producing less-qualified physicians,” Dr. Goldfarb said.

Do No Harm found out that the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine required first-year students to attend a course titled, “Structural Racism and Health Equity,” where in one exercise, students were divided by racial group and discussed antiracist prompts, according to The Wall Street Journal. The school later dropped the exercise following a civil rights complaint from Do No Harm.

“DEI puts Americans’ lives at risk. The best way to save lives is to get DEI out of medicine now,” he emphasized.

 

Top Aide to Bklyn DA Gonzelez Departs Over Accusations Anti-Semitism

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Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org

 

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a recent turn of events, Maritza Ming, once a prominent figure as a top aide to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, has left the district attorney’s office amidst a storm of controversy. Reports suggest that Ming’s departure is linked to accusations of anti-Semitism and other forms of misconduct, raising questions about her conduct and professional integrity, according to a recently published reported in the New York Post.

The saga surrounding Ming’s exit from the Brooklyn DA’s office began to unfold eight months ago when allegations surfaced from multiple current and former staffers. Among the accusations were claims that Ming engaged in disparaging Jewish employees, exhibited bullying behavior towards subordinates, and allegedly misused office resources and staff, as was reported by the Post.  These complaints painted a troubling picture of a workplace fraught with tension and impropriety, ultimately leading to scrutiny of Ming’s leadership and managerial practices.

Despite the gravity of these allegations, Ming’s response remained elusive. Attempts to reach her for comment on the accusations and her subsequent departure proved futile for the Post, highlighting a lack of transparency and accountability on her part. Instead, it was revealed in the Post report that Ming had transitioned to a role at a personal-injury law firm, Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb, in Manhattan.

The abruptness of Ming’s departure and the circumstances surrounding it have left many within the legal community puzzled and disillusioned. A Brooklyn DA insider, reflecting on Ming’s downfall, remarked, “How the mighty have fallen,” the Post report said. This sentiment underscores the stark contrast between Ming’s former position of influence and her current status as a practitioner in a different legal domain. The shift from a high-ranking official to what was derisively described as an “ambulance chaser” serves as a humbling reminder of the consequences of unchecked behavior and ethical lapses.

Further complicating the narrative is the revelation regarding Ming’s prolonged absence from the DA’s office. Despite reports suggesting that Ming had not been present at the office since July of the previous year, she remained on the payroll, drawing a substantial salary that included a sizable bonus,  the Post report revealed.  This discrepancy raises questions about the oversight and accountability mechanisms within the Brooklyn DA’s office, as well as the allocation of taxpayer funds.

In response to inquiries about Ming’s status, the Brooklyn DA’s office initially offered vague explanations, with spokesman Oren Yaniv stating that Ming was on leave without providing further details. However, subsequent revelations suggest that Ming’s absence was more protracted and financially lucrative than previously acknowledged, as was indicated in the Post report. The discrepancy between official statements and the documented reality highlights the importance of independent oversight and investigative journalism in holding institutions accountable for their actions.

The internal probe, commissioned by Gonzalez himself, focused on the handling of discrimination complaints within the office, a process overseen by Ming, the Post reported.  Additionally, the city Department of Investigation has launched its own inquiry into Ming’s conduct, further complicating the situation.

Gonzalez’s decision to hire Guidepost Solutions to conduct the internal probe reflects the seriousness of the allegations surrounding Ming’s tenure. The investigation, initiated in response to concerns raised by employees, delves into accusations of discrimination and misconduct within the office. However, the Post report said it’s worth noting that Ming herself has been at the center of these allegations, raising questions about the efficacy of an investigation led by a firm hired by the very office under scrutiny.

Maritza Ming’s tenure within the Brooklyn DA’s office spans over two decades, with her rise to the position of chief of staff in 2018 and subsequent promotion to “confidential executive assistant district attorney” last year, according to the report in the Post. However, her swift departure in the wake of these allegations marks a dramatic turn of events, casting doubt on her legacy within the office and raising questions about the leadership and oversight under Gonzalez’s administration.

The controversy surrounding Ming’s conduct has not only impacted her own career but has also reverberated within the wider political landscape. Sources suggest that Gonzalez, who harbors aspirations of becoming state attorney general, has faced backlash from members of the Jewish community over Ming’s continued employment despite accusations of anti-Semitism, the Post report explained. Leaders within the Jewish community have expressed concerns about Gonzalez’s association with Ming, emphasizing the importance of their support for his political ambitions. The potential loss of support from the Jewish community could prove to be a significant setback for Gonzalez, potentially altering the course of his political trajectory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biden administration official accuses Israel of ‘sexually abusing’ Arab women – General

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Amir Avivi

By World Israel News Staff

A senior State Department official accused the Israeli military of “systematically” sexually abusing Palestinian Arab women, and denied that Hamas has stolen humanitarian aid flowing in to the Gaza Strip, an IDF general said last week.

Brigadier General (Res.) Amir Avivi posted a series of tweets on X/Twitter last Thursday, following a meeting with a State Department official he only identified as the holder of the Israel-Palestine dossier.

It is unclear if this was a reference to Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State, who heads up the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

Avivi wrote following his meeting with the State Department official that she had pushed allegations, backed by the Hamas terror organization, that Israeli soldiers had systematically sexually abused Palestinian Arab women.

The official in question also allegedly questioned whether Hamas has in fact stolen humanitarian aid coming into the Gaza Strip.

“It’s hard to leave me speechless and shocked, but that is precisely what happened in my meeting at the State Department when the representative responsible for the Israeli-Palestinian dossier accused Israel of systematic sexual abuse of Palestinian women entirely on the basis of a concocted U.N. report that was written to try to find something to balance the atrocities of Oct. 7,” Avivi wrote.

“She added on to this the allegation that we did not provide proofs that Hamas proof that Hamas is stealing humanitarian aid, saying that publishing videos in the media is not enough.”

“Furthermore, [she claimed] that we have not explained how we will evacuate the Gazans in Rafah. The bottom line is that there is a lot of work that needs to be done at the State Department.”

Avivi discussed the conversation on Sunday in an interview with Radio 103FM.

“It was a meeting that really stunned me, I have to say. We were sitting there talking about the situation when all of the sudden she throws out an accusation at me that Israel is systematically sexually abusing Palestinian women.”

“This is absolutely disconnected from reality. But without hesitation, she said, ‘The UN presented evidence to the Israeli government.’ I told her, ‘Does it make sense that this phenomenon would exist and the media would never have reported on it?’”

“I wanted there to be much greater awareness, including among officials here in Israel, about what is really happening in the US State Department. In the end, I left there with the feeling that they simply don’t talk to us and don’t pass on any information.”

In February, two United Nations officials released a statement citing allegations of sexual abuse and extrajudicial killings in the Gaza Strip at the hands of the IDF.

The statement, drafted by Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, and Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, drew criticism from Israel, and praise from Hamas.

Responding to the statement, Hamas’ official Telegram channel lauded the UN claim as “confirmation and additional evidence of the crime of genocide and ethnic cleansing committed by the occupation led by the war criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi army against our people.”

VP Harris leaves door open for consequences if IDF enters Rafah

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Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) addresses the 2017 AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Source: Screenshot.

(JNS) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Sunday that a prospective IDF operation to defeat Hamas’s battalions in Rafah would be “huge mistake” and refused to rule out consequences if Jerusalem fails to heed the Biden administration’s warning.

“We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,” Harris said in an interview on ABC News‘s “This Week.”

“I have studied the maps. There’s nowhere for those folks to go. We’re looking at about a million and a half people in Rafah who are there because they were told to go there, most of them,” she added.

When asked if there could be consequences if Israel presses ahead with plans to invade Hamas’s last remaining stronghold, Harris said: “We’re going to take it one step at a time, but we’ve been very clear in terms of our perspective on whether or not that should happen.”

When pressed further on the matter, she added: “I am ruling out nothing.”

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that IDF troops would enter Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip with or without support from the United States.

“There were times we agreed with our friends, and there were times we did not agree with them,” the premier said. “Ultimately, we always did what was necessary for our safety, and we will do so this time as well.”

During a phone call with Netanyahu on Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he could not support a major military offensive against Hamas in Rafah. Instead, the White House favors a limited operation aimed at high-value targets and securing the Gaza-Egypt border.

Netanyahu confirmed on Wednesday he had already approved the IDF’s operational plans for Rafah and said he would “soon” green light an outline for the evacuation of noncombatants from the city.

On Friday, Netanyahu reiterated the message during a meeting in Tel Aviv with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“I told [Blinken] that I hope we would [go into Rafah] with U.S. support but if necessary, we will do it alone,” Netanyahu said.

SHOCKING VIDEO: Maniac Arrested After Taking Severed Leg From Train Crash Scene, and Eating it !!!!

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(TJV) Horrifying footage captured the moment a man held a human leg after the limb was severed in a train accident, Daily Mail reported

Stunned onlookers filmed from the road as Rosendo Tellez, 27, allegedly picked up the leg, sniffed it and waved it around on the streets of Wasco, California. The maniac appears to have taken a bite of the leg while he is bent over, in the disturbing video.

Uncensored Video:

Kern County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Tellez near the railroad tracks on misdemeanor charges of removing body parts from an area that is not a cemetery.

Witnesses filmed the unsettling scene as Tellez, 27, casually walked down the street with the limb in hand, seemingly unfazed by the gravity of the situation.

Kern County Sheriff’s deputies swiftly responded to the scene and apprehended Tellez on misdemeanor charges related to the improper handling of body parts outside of a cemetery,  the Express reported

This arrest followed the fatal accident earlier that morning, in which an unidentified individual was struck by an Amtrak train, resulting in instantaneous death and the severing of a limb.

Show the Video, Israel : It’s time for Israel to show the 47-minute video of the October 7 attack to the world

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The Hamas slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” means from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, covering the entire land of Israel. Photo Credit: news.sky.com

Show the Video, Israel
It’s time for Israel to show the 47-minute video of the October 7 attack to the world.

By Michael E. Ginsberg (American Greatness)

Across the globe, a critical mass of the ignorant, the brainwashed, the Islamist supremacists, and the evil is forming.

Just consider what a massacre of Jews on October 7 launched:

  • Downtown London has become a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.
  • Jewish teachers have been being chased by frenzied student mobs through the halls of New York schools.
  • Jewish university students have been barricaded in auditoriums and libraries by braying mobs.
  • Synagogues and Jewish hospitals in the US and Canada have become the targets of screaming protesters.
  • Jewish-owned restaurants and businesses have been vandalized, and their patrons have been threatened with violence.
  • Jewish artists have had their shows cancelled or protested.
  • Rallies featuring Nazi imagery and celebrating the events of October 7 have taken and continue to take place in Times Square and on the streets of New York City.
  • And all this has been in response to a genocidal attack on Jews on October 7.

October 7 was the final crank of a jack-in-the-Pandora’s-box of Leftist and Islamist antisemitism that has been bubbling under the surface for years.

The Hamas pogrom of October 7 is no longer just an existential threat to the Jewish state. It is an existential threat to every nation in the civilized world. And the civilized world, from academia to politicians to law enforcement, has proven incapable of or unwilling to forcefully stamp this evil out.

Which is why Israel must do what few others in power are able or willing to do: directly confront the global protesters, those who demand a ceasefire to let Hamas win and live to massacre another day, and those spineless politicians and academic administrators who appease the radicals, with what it is they all are supporting.

No more pairing “antisemitism” with “Islamophobia.” No more uncritically believing stories about alleged IDF or Jewish settler atrocities to balance the scales and provide a “both sides do it” relief valve for those who side with Hamas.

Israel rightly has been sensitive in how it has shown the 47-minute video of Hamas’s October 7 atrocities—a video comprised of footage taken by the Hamas terrorists and Gazan civilians and “journalists” themselves. Those Hamas butchered on film are parents, children, siblings, extended family, and friends. Every person who has seen the video has been deeply shaken, saying it is far worse that they imagined it would be.

But the Jewish people—and if history is any guide, the world—is lurching toward yet another catastrophe as waves of pathologically antisemitic and anti-Western immigrants crash over the West, finding support among progressive leftist radicals in politics, academia, and media.

As pressure mounts on Israel to desist from its just and righteous war, it must remind the world how precisely this war began. What the Hamas barbarians and the Gazan civilians who followed them into Israel did on October 7.

Force the Squad, the maladjusted kids taking over campuses, and the sympathetic or cowardly administrations of America’s universities to confront it all. Just as Eisenhower marched German civilians through the concentration camps after American forces liberated them to confront the evil done in their name.

Force the Islamists and their fellow travelers screaming at synagogues in New Jersey and Jewish hospitals in Canada and taking over European capitals every weekend to watch Hamas burn children alive, throw hand grenades into safe houses, and shoot point-blank teenagers begging for their lives. Just as American authorities forced German civilians into movie theaters to watch footage of what the Nazis had done.

Force UN Women, the #MeToo “Believe All Women” hypocrites, and the Code Pink ghouls to watch Hamas barbarians rape women, murder pregnant women, and sexually mutilate female corpses.

If the axis of international progressive leftist goblins wants to continue to back Hamas and demand Israel end its righteous war of self-defense, let them do it knowing the world has seen with its own eyes what they support and celebrate.

If the Squad still wants to defend and run interference for Hamas in Congress after the world has seen the video, let them. A fully informed world will better see them for the gargoyles that they are.

If the kids and faculty on campus still want to demand Israel let Hamas survive and to harass Jews on campus to make their point, let the world know what it is they are demanding Israel allow to happen again. A world that sees these protests after seeing the video will far better understand the violence, death, and barbarity inherent in the academic left’s cracked DEI-driven oppressor/oppressed worldview.

If the Democrats in Congress, including Majority Leader Schumer, still think a Palestinian polity capable of the barbarity of October 7 deserves a state and that Israel should accept such a state, let them make that argument after everyone in the world has seen with their own eyes these horrors. And let the world see them willing to make this argument after they know the world has seen these horrors.

It is no longer enough for Israel to show the October 7 video to journalists, governments, and other select audiences. Everyone must see what Hamas and the Gazan civilians who followed Hamas into Israel did on October 7 and the glee and sheer ecstasy they brought to their butchery.

We know it works. Postwar Germans, confronted with the images of the Nazi camps, recoiled in horror and vigorously expunged antisemitism from the public square. To this day, Germany aggressively enforces legal protections against antisemitism. Germany, admirably, has taken the admonition of “never again” seriously.

Once again, the Jews are the fire bell in the night. Once again, the Jewish people have been thrust into the unwanted role of victims of deadly ideologies that make no secret of their desire to inflict on the world what they first inflicted on the Jews. Once again, Jews are forced to make terrible choices: hide the video to protect the victims and their families, or show the video to prevent untold numbers of victims to come.

The time has come, Israel. Release the October 7 video to the world.

Michael E. Ginsberg is Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District Committee and a member of the RPV’s Executive Committee.

 

Secrets of Shifa Hospital: What Israel found and why the raid broke Hamas

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Israeli soldiers outside Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

By Baruch Yedid, TPS

A nearly week-long Israeli raid on the Shifa Hospital compound in Gaza City, along with extensive operations in Khan Yunis’s Hamad district have broken the spirit of Hamas, while wrecking the terror group’s efforts to establish a mini-government administration in northern Gaza.

The terror group fears that intelligence gained from Shifa and Hamad will pave the way for an invasion of Rafah.

 

 

Since Monday morning, Israeli forces have killed over 140 terrorists holed up inside the compound. Of the roughly 800 terrorists arrested, at least 480 have been identified as members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Israel raided the hospital compound after receiving intelligence that senior Hamas figures were inside the compound planning attacks.

Caught off guard, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad hastily evacuated patients and visitors from the buildings, then hid among the displaced Palestinians, maintaining false identities until they were arrested.

Even now, Hamas leadership does not know which of its senior officials in Shifa have been killed or arrested. But information that has reached TPS suggests that several high-level figures are hiding in buildings near Shifa.

TPS has learned that in one of the hospital buildings, Hamas established a small government administration center with representatives of the government ministries, especially the ministries of education, interior, treasury and the police.

On the day that Israeli forces entered the compound, Hamas was about to pay salaries to hundreds of its civil and military officials. Salaries range from $200 to hundreds of dollars.

Among the Hamas figures killed in the compound was Faiq Mabhouh, who headed the Operations Directorate of Hamas’s Internal Security.

Among his responsibilities was coordinating the transfer of the food trucks in front of the clans in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has not been able to account for other senior figures who were in the Shifa compound on the eve of the raid.

Most senior of the missing is Mahmoud Abu Watfa, the under-minister of the interior and director of the internal security forces of the terrorist organization, who holds the rank of colonel and was in charge of looking for the dead.

Tarek Silmi, the spokesman for the Islamic Jihad and a member of the leadership, was also in the building, as was his friend to the Jihad leadership, Amana Hamid, who is in charge of women’s activities in the organization. Abu Bilal Taraya, an editor of Hamas’s Al-Aqsa TV channel and other journalists in the terror group’s service are also unaccounted for.

Israel’s recent raids on Hamas facilities in the Hamad district of Khan Yunis have further broken the terror group’s morale.

This complex of 40 residential buildings, inaugurated in 2016, is named after Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who financed the project with hundreds of millions of dollars.

Israeli forces uncovered extensive terror infrastructure including a weapons factory, tunnel shafts, rocket launching positions and command centers among and beneath the residences. Large numbers of weapons, explosives and military equipment were also seized. Soldiers who were evacuating Hamad residents nabbed dozens of terrorists trying to flee among the civilians. Another 250 who remained entrenched in the towers were arrested.

Hamas now fears that the Israel’s successful operations in Shifa and Hamad will open a path for an Israeli incursion in Rafah, its last stronghold. It is possible that heavy bombings on the Al Amal neighborhood of western Khan Yunis on Saturday night were also related to intelligence findings from Shifa or Hamad.

At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the remaining 134 hostages, Israel recently declared 31 of them dead.

Biden Is Running Out Of Time To Boost Dismal Poll Numbers In Crucial Battleground States

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President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on March 7, 2024, has stirred controversy and raised concerns, particularly in relation to his statements on the Israel-Hamas war. One of the key points of contention is Biden’s call for a Palestinian state as the “only solution” and “only path” to resolve the seemingly intractable conflict. Credit: AP
  • Time is running out for President Joe Biden to shore up the support from key voting blocs that backed him by large margins in swing states last cycle.
  • Biden’s margins with independents, young individuals, black voters and Hispanics are either smaller than they were in 2020, or Trump is now leading among some groups, according to recent polling in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina.
  • “And so just the election coming down to the narrative of one of these guys is strong enough to handle your problems and one isn’t — I think that cuts across so many demographics, age groups, geography,” Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist and veteran of numerous campaigns, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

(DCNF) President Joe Biden is losing support among key voting demographics in crucial battleground states as a November matchup with former President Donald Trump draws nearer, according to recent polling data.

Biden has been receiving dismal poll numbers for months among crucial voting blocs that were key to his 2020 election, and he largely continues to lag behind Trump in national and swing-state surveys. Recent polls from Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina show that Biden’s margins with independents, young individuals, black voters and Hispanics are either smaller than they were last cycle, or Trump is now leading among some groups.

“In close states, every vote matters. Usually, independents are the ballgame,” Ron Faucheux, president of nonpartisan polling firm Clarus Research Group, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “These state polls reflect Biden’s weaknesses in national polling.”

An Arizona Emerson College survey released Wednesday found Trump leading Biden 53% to 47% among independents. The same pollster indicated Trump was ahead by six points with the group in Nevada, as well as eight points in Pennsylvania.

A Marist survey published on Wednesday for North Carolina suggested Trump was beating Biden 52% to 46% among independents. The former president is also four points ahead of Biden with the voting bloc in Michigan, according to a Quinnipiac University survey released March 14.

A Georgia Marist poll published on Wednesday found Biden leading Trump by only one point among independents. In Wisconsin, the president has a mere two-point lead with the group, according to an Emerson College survey released Thursday.

In 2020, Biden led Trump among independents by four points in North Carolina, six points in Nevada and Michigan, eight points in Pennsylvania, nine points in Arizona and Georgia, and 12 points in Wisconsin.

Trump has also led Biden among youth voters in Georgia and Michigan, while the former president trails with a smaller margin than 2020 in North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona and Wisconsin, according to recent polling.

The aforementioned polls found Trump ahead with 18-to-29-year-olds by five points in Georgia, as well as by five points among those under 35 in Michigan. In 2020, Biden led Trump among those aged 18 to 29 by 13 points in Georgia and 24 points in Michigan.

Trump is only down by one point among those aged 18 to 29 in North Carolina, as well as by about five points in Wisconsin, nine points in Arizona and 12 points in Nevada. Biden led Trump by 17 points in North Carolina, 23 points in Wisconsin, 31 points in Arizona and 30 points in Nevada last cycle.

Veteran Republican strategist Mark Weaver argued that the polling shows Biden is “in more re-election trouble than any president since Jimmy Carter.”

“These numbers suggest Joe Biden will be shuffling through a dark room filled with political mousetraps and he’s likely to trip most of them between now and November,” Weaver told the DCNF. “If he leans too far toward Hamas supporters, he’ll lose more independents and many Jewish voters. If he stands firmly with Israel, he’ll anger Muslim voters in Michigan and Minnesota and lose more young voters. If he curries more favor with Antifa and Black Lives Matter activists, he’ll lose older voters and key heartland regions like his boyhood home of Scranton, Pennsylvania.”

“He starts out unpopular with many voting groups that are usually Blue friendly or Blue curious and there are many more ways to lose those voters than win them,” Weaver added.

While Biden still has a significant lead over Trump among the black community, his margins are smaller than last cycle in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Nevada, according to the polls.

The surveys show the president is ahead with the voting bloc by 68% to 19% in Michigan, 69% to 31% in Pennsylvania, 71% to 29% in Wisconsin, 75% to 24% in Georgia, 77% to 23% in Nevada and 79% to 20% in North Carolina.

In 2020, Biden led Trump among black voters 92% to 8% in Wisconsin, as well as 92% to 7% in North CarolinaPennsylvania and Michigan. Black voters also backed Biden by 88% to 11% in Georgia and 80% to 18% in Nevada.

“In most southern states, a Republican candidate winning 15 to 20 percent of the Black vote statewide is guaranteed a majority overall,” Jon McHenry, GOP polling analyst and vice president at North Star Opinion Research, told the DCNF. “There is just no plausible route to a victory for a Democrat losing that share of Black votes.”

Biden’s numbers have also dampened among Hispanic voters in some of the swing states’ polling, particularly in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada.

The president held a 56% to 45% lead among the voting bloc in the Pennsylvania poll, but he previously won Hispanics over by 42 points in the battleground state last cycle. Similarly, Biden was ahead of Trump by only four points in the survey for Wisconsin, where the group previously backed the president by 23 points.

In Nevada, where Biden secured the group by 26 points in 2020, the survey found him ahead by only four points against Trump.

Biden’s “only real opportunity to change course is for the economy to recover in a way that is tangible to working class voters,” McHenry told the DCNF.

Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist and veteran of numerous campaigns, believes Biden’s biggest hurdle is voters viewing him as “too weak” to solve issues like the economy, foreign affairs and more in comparison to Trump.

“I don’t see him doing things that are going to change that perception. In fact, I see him doing things that make it worse,” Jennings told the DCNF. “And so just the election coming down to the narrative of one of these guys is strong enough to handle your problems and one isn’t — I think that cuts across so many demographics, age groups, geography. That perception, once that takes hold, it’s hard to reverse it. And I think they’re kind of stuck in that vortex right now.”

Trump won Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016, but lost them all to Biden the following election. The former president secured North Carolina both cycles, while the Democrats did the same in Nevada.

Biden is currently down in the RealClearPolitics (RCP) averages for all of the swing states, and hasn’t led Trump nationally since early September 2023.

The two secured enough delegates for their respective party nominations after contests on March 12, and are heading toward a rematch that’s just eight months away.

Neither Biden nor Trump’s campaign responded to the DCNF’s requests for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].

Israeli President condemns ISIS attack at Russian concert hall as ‘barbaric’

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ISIS attack on concert hall outside Moscow, March 22, 2024 (Photo: YouTube screenshot)

By JNS

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Saturday night condemned the “barbaric” ISIS terror attack on a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow.

“I spoke with the Russian ambassador to Israel to convey, on behalf of the Israeli people, my condolences to the families of the victims, to the Russian people and its leadership for the terrible loss of life, and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured,” said Herzog.

“I emphasized that terrorism of any kind, especially jihadist terror, indiscriminately targets all peoples, of all beliefs and religions, while sowing fear and destruction. Fighting terrorism is a major international challenge, and the countries of the world must firmly fight it together,” he added.

On Friday night, ISIS terrorists armed with automatic weapons and incendiary explosives entered the hall, with videos posted to social media depicting the men shooting into groups of civilians at close range.

At least 133 people were killed and more than 140 wounded in the attack. More than 50 ambulance crews were dispatched to the scene.

Authorities have detained 11 attackers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a national day of mourning for Sunday and pledged to punish those behind the attack.

“I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones,” Putin said in an address to the nation on Saturday. “The whole country and our entire people are grieving with you.”

Putin claimed the terrorists had tried to escape to Ukraine, a claim Kyiv vehemently denied and the United States decried as false.

Islamic State claimed credit for the attack, posting on Telegram that its “fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”

The U.S. embassy issued a warning earlier in March that it was monitoring reports that “extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow,” including concerts.

Russia has frequently been the target of Islamist terrorism, including the 2002 Moscow theater siege in which 40 Chechen terrorists took 850 hostages. Ultimately, 132 of the hostages were killed and hundreds injured.

 

editorial  – Protecting American Data: Why the TikTok Divestment Bill is Essential

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Editorial  – Protecting American Data: Why the TikTok Divestment Bill is Essential

In a resounding victory for American data security, the House of Representatives took a decisive step last week by passing a bill that demands TikTok, the popular social media platform, to sever ties with its parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing, as was recently reported in The Wall Street Journal.  The overwhelming 352-65 vote in favor of this bill marks a crucial moment in safeguarding our nation’s digital sovereignty.

This legislative action reflects a necessary response to the undeniable threat posed by TikTok, an app that has long deceived users regarding the privacy and security of their data. Despite assurances from TikTok that U.S. user data remains beyond the reach of the Chinese Communist Party, recent revelations have shattered this illusion. Leaked recordings and investigative reports have exposed TikTok’s egregious data collection practices, revealing that sensitive information, including user locations, browsing histories, and biometrics, are not only accessible but actively exploited by ByteDance and its affiliates.

The admission by ByteDance in December 2022 that some of its employees clandestinely spied on American journalists underscores the urgent need for action. Despite promises to isolate U.S. data, subsequent reports have shown continued data sharing among TikTok staff and ByteDance, raising alarming concerns about the extent of Chinese government influence within the company.

To protect our national security and uphold the integrity of our digital infrastructure, it is imperative to implement measures that sever TikTok’s ties with China. The divestment bill represents a prudent and necessary step towards achieving this goal. By mandating TikTok’s separation from ByteDance, the bill ensures that American user data remains free from foreign interference and exploitation.

Critics may argue that such measures are unprecedented or overly restrictive. However, it is crucial to recognize that the United States has a long history of safeguarding its communications infrastructure from foreign control. The Federal Communications Commission’s ban on telecom carriers and equipment from companies such as China Mobile and Huawei exemplifies our commitment to protecting national interests in the digital realm. Moreover, existing federal laws already prohibit foreign governments from holding broadcast licenses, reflecting a consistent stance on safeguarding our sovereignty.

In light of these precedents and the clear evidence of TikTok’s complicity in data exploitation, the divestment bill is a prudent and proportionate response. It is not about stifling innovation or impeding international cooperation but about safeguarding American interests and ensuring that our digital landscape remains free from foreign influence.

As the Senate deliberates over the TikTok divestment bill, it is crucial to dispel any misconceptions regarding its constitutionality. Despite claims to the contrary, requiring TikTok to sever ties with the Communist Party does not violate the First Amendment. On the contrary, it represents a necessary step in safeguarding national security and preserving the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Critics of the bill often invoke the First Amendment, arguing that it protects TikTok’s right to free speech. However, this argument overlooks a crucial distinction made by the Supreme Court between laws targeting the content of speech and those regulating conduct. The TikTok divestment bill squarely falls into the latter category, as it addresses TikTok’s actions, which pose a significant national security threat, rather than the content of its users’ speech.

The landmark Supreme Court case of Arcara v. Cloud Books (1986) provides clear precedent for the constitutionality of laws targeting conduct rather than speech. In Arcara, the court upheld a New York state public-health nuisance statute aimed at closing a bookstore being used for prostitution. Despite objections from the owners citing First Amendment protections, the court recognized that the statute targeted unlawful conduct unrelated to expressive activity.

Similarly, the TikTok divestment bill is directed at addressing espionage and national security concerns, not restricting speech. The Constitution does not require the government to turn a blind eye to threats posed by foreign adversaries simply because a platform also facilitates speech. Just as the government can prosecute individuals for using a pen to commit theft, it can regulate platforms like TikTok when they engage in conduct detrimental to national security.

It is essential to understand that the bill does not infringe on the freedom of speech or expression. Americans remain free to engage in any form of speech, including on platforms like TikTok. However, when such platforms are exploited by foreign actors to undermine our national security, it is the government’s responsibility to take appropriate action.

The TikTok divestment bill aligns with both the letter and spirit of the Constitution and reflects our longstanding commitment to protecting against foreign adversary control. By addressing the conduct of TikTok and its ties to the Communist Party, the bill prioritizes national security while upholding the fundamental principles of democracy and free speech.

 

Jewish Hollywood Figures Condemn “The Zone of Interest” Director’s Comments on Israel at Oscars

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British Film director Jonathan Glazer attends “The Zone of Interest” premiere during the 67th BFI London Film Festival at the Royal Festival Hall on Oct. 12, 2023. Credit: Fred Duval/Shutterstock.

Jewish Hollywood Figures Condemn “The Zone of Interest” Director’s Comments on Israel at Oscars

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The recent Oscars ceremony, typically a celebration of cinematic achievement, has sparked controversy within the film industry as director Jonathan Glazer’s remarks critical of Israel drew sharp criticism from hundreds of Jewish actors, producers, and industry professionals, as was recently reported in the New York Times.

Described as a “statement from Jewish Hollywood professionals,” the letter denouncing Glazer’s comments was signed by prominent figures including Debra Messing, Julianna Margulies, Lawrence Bender, Amy Pascal, and Amy Sherman-Palladino, among others, according to the information provided in the NYT report. The widespread condemnation underscores the sensitivity surrounding discussions of Israel and the Holocaust within the Jewish community.

Allison Josephs, an activist advocating for Jewish representation in film and television, confirmed the signatories and noted that the letter had garnered nearly a thousand signatures by Tuesday morning, the NYT report said. The swift response highlights the significance of the issue and the unity among Jewish Hollywood figures in addressing Glazer’s remarks.

Glazer’s speech upon accepting the Oscar for international feature for his film “The Zone of Interest,” which explores the complexities of life within Nazi concentration camps, ignited controversy with its commentary on present-day conflicts involving Israel, the report in the NYT indicated. While acknowledging the film’s exploration of dehumanization and its consequences, Glazer’s remarks drew ire for equating the Holocaust with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

In his acceptance speech, Glazer stated, “Right now we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people,” the report added. He went on to reference specific incidents, including the October 7th attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, framing them as manifestations of dehumanization.

The director’s comments sparked immediate backlash, with many within the Jewish community expressing outrage over a misrepresentation of historical events and a politicization of the Holocaust, as per the report in the NYT. Critics argue that equating the Holocaust with contemporary political conflicts diminishes the unique horrors of the Holocaust and undermines efforts to combat anti-Semitism.

The letter signed by Jewish Hollywood professionals condemns Glazer’s remarks as divisive and misguided, emphasizing the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust without politicizing its legacy. It underscores the need for sensitivity and nuance in discussions surrounding Israel and the Holocaust, particularly within the context of mainstream media and cultural representations.

 

“We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination,” the letter asserts, expressing strong opposition to the comparison made by Glazer, as was noted in the NYT report.

The letter further argues against Glazer’s portrayal of Israel’s actions, stating, “Israel is not targeting civilians. It is targeting Hamas. The moment Hamas releases the hostages and surrenders, is the moment this heartbreaking war ends.” This assertion challenges Glazer’s characterization of the conflict and calls into question the accuracy of his statements.

Additionally, the NYT reported that the letter accuses Glazer’s speech of perpetuating anti-Jewish sentiment and lending credence to what it describes as a “modern blood libel” that fuels hatred against Jews globally, including in the United States and Hollywood.

Glazer’s remarks, which received applause at the ceremony before sparking criticism, have been subject to some confusion and misinterpretation. Early reports appeared to misquote Glazer, leading to misunderstandings regarding the nature of his comments. The NYT explained that while Glazer clarified that he was refuting the hijacking of his Jewishness by an occupation, some perceived his language as condemning Israel as a whole, rather than specific actions or policies.