47.8 F
New York
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Home Blog

Jewish Organizational Leaders Remember the Extraordinary Life & Impactful Legacy of Sen. Joe Lieberman

0

Jewish Organizational Leaders Remember the Extraordinary Life & Impactful Legacy of Sen. Joe Lieberman

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

Joseph I. Lieberman, a towering figure in American politics and the first Jewish candidate on a major-party presidential ticket, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82, as was reported by the New York Times.  His legacy as Connecticut’s four-term United States senator and his significant role as Vice President Al Gore’s Democratic running mate in the contentious 2000 presidential election remain indelible marks on the nation’s political landscape.

Lieberman’s family confirmed that his passing was due to complications from a fall at his home in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York. Despite efforts to save him, Lieberman succumbed to his injuries at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Upper Manhattan.

At the zenith of his political career, Lieberman emerged as a voice of morality and integrity within the Democratic Party. He made history as the first major Democrat to publicly rebuke President Bill Clinton for his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, according to the information provided in the NYT report. This principled stance solidified Lieberman’s reputation as a man of conscience and paved the way for his selection as Al Gore’s running mate at the Democratic National Convention in August 2000.

The Gore-Lieberman ticket campaigned on themes of integrity and faith, seeking to distance themselves from the scandals that plagued the Clinton administration, the NYT report noted. Lieberman’s advocacy for bringing religion and faith into public life resonated with many Americans, reflecting his deeply held convictions and commitment to moral leadership.

In the fiercely contested 2000 presidential election, the Gore-Lieberman team secured a narrow plurality of the popular vote, garnering half a million more votes than their Republican counterparts, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, as was indicated in the NYT report. However, the Electoral College outcome remained uncertain, plunging the nation into an intense legal battle that would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

Despite the outcome of the election, Lieberman’s impact on American politics transcends electoral victories and defeats. Throughout his four terms in the Senate, he remained a steadfast advocate for bipartisan cooperation and principled leadership, the NYT report said. His legacy as a trailblazer for Jewish representation in national politics and his unwavering commitment to upholding moral values continue to inspire generations of leaders and citizens alike.

In the immediate aftermath of Lieberman’s passing, a litany of Jewish organizations expressed their sympathy and condolences through statements sent to the media.

The Republican Jewish Coalition Chairman Senator Norm Coleman said in a statement,  “Joe Lieberman was a true mensch and a great American. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with him in the Senate. He built a successful political career while staying true to what he felt was right. Time and again, Senator Lieberman put principle over politics. He was a shining example of all that’s good and decent about public service. And he was a committed and proud Jew who served his country with distinction.”

Coleman added that, “Joe Lieberman was called the last of the Scoop Jackson Democrats. We miss those Democrats who took the defense of liberty seriously, and who worked with their colleagues across the aisle to keep America – and our ally Israel – safe. I am proud to have known Joe and the Republican Jewish Coalition was proud to work with him over the years. We will miss his friendship, his leadership, and the integrity he demonstrated during more than two decades in the Senate. May his memory be a blessing.

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said, “It is with profound sadness that the World Jewish Congress mourns the loss of former Senator Joseph Lieberman, a trailblazer for Jewish public servants in the United States who wore his faith on his sleeve. Senator Lieberman’s career was a beacon of dedication to public service, characterized by his deep commitment to Jewish principles, and an unwavering support for the fight against anti-Semitism.

Lauder added: “I had the privilege of knowing Senator Lieberman personally. While we might not have agreed on every issue, his integrity, and devotion to the Jewish community and to strengthening Israel-U.S. relations were always a constant. Senator Liberman was a true mensch, whose legacy of leadership and service will continue to inspire future generations. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who were touched by his remarkable life. May his memory be a blessing.”

Also in reaction to Lieberman’s passing, the CEO of the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement, Sacha Roytman said, “I join the world in mourning Senator Lieberman’s passing. I got to know Joe during his time as a member of the CAM Advisory Board, a role to which he brought his passion for the safety and well-being of Jews around the world, and I will forever be thankful for that opportunity. The Jewish people will particularly feel his loss because of his iconic life and work. He stood up for the cause of freedom around the world and had a profound impact on each and every one of us. Even in death, Joe’s legacy will continue to serve as an inspiration for me and the entire CAM team. Our deepest condolences go out to Joe’s beloved wife Hadassah, his children, and the entire Lieberman family.”

William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement: “I first met Joe Lieberman sitting around a small family Passover seder table in Washington in 1989, during his first year as a Senator. Since that time, he has been a mentor and friend who was always willing and able to provide counsel – on issues public and private. His iconic presence in American Jewish life is forever enshrined by his being the first Jew to be on a major party Presidential ticket – a role that inspired a generation of young American Jews to follow his lead by seeking careers in public service. Senator Lieberman’s prescient warnings and efforts to avert a nuclear Iran will also be his lasting legacy. May Hadassah and his entire family be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion, and may his memory forever be for blessings.”

In a statement issued by Agudath Israel of America concerning the passing of Senator Lieberman, they said that Lieberman was “ a friend of Agudath Israel and the Orthodox Jewish community, participating in Agudath Israel events and championing the needs of the community.”

Senator Lieberman, dubbed the “conscience of the Senate,” was a strong supporter of Israel, and worked to ensure its security both during and after his tenure as senator.

The statement went on to say: “Senator Lieberman was also closely involved with Orthodox Jewish leaders, such as Rabbi Moshe Sherer, legendary president of Agudath Israel of America, and Rabbi Herman Neuberger, the venerable late president of Ner Israel Rabbinical College. The senator referred to them as “tremendous representatives of Torah Jewry” who became his “great friends and advisors.”

The Agudath Israel added that, “Senator Lieberman was concerned with the Orthodox community’s representation in the secular world, saying that the rising population of Orthodox Jews within the larger Jewish community brought with it “a new power, but also a responsibility to represent the Jewish community to the non-Jewish community, to the government, and within the Jewish community itself, guided only by the words of Torah.”

“I regularly was asked by Jewish students if I knew ‘Senator Lieberman, the Sabbath observant Jew,’” said Rabbi Abba Cohen, vice president for government affairs and Washington director and counsel for Agudath Israel, who had a long-standing relationship with Senator Lieberman. “They wanted to know all about Joe. It was clear that he was a source of pride and inspiration to young people. He was an exemplar of Orthodox Judaism to the world. The senator and his Torah observance made an impression on people and intrigued them. People were influenced by, and attracted to, him and his values. Agudath Israel extends its deep sympathies and sincere condolences to the Lieberman family.”

Also commenting on what Senator Lieberman meant to them was Yeshiva University. In a statement, they said, “the entire Yeshiva University community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Senator Joseph Lieberman — a renowned figure of faith in the public square, a history-making statesman, and a beloved member of the YU family.”

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University said, “Today, I lost a dear friend and mentor, and we all lost an American hero who devoted his life to the service of this country.  Senator Joseph Lieberman was a man of courage, faith, and fortitude, an independent thinker whose humility and commitment served as an example to all of our students and faculty at Yeshiva University.”

He added that, “I will miss Senator Lieberman’s wisdom and counsel as a University Trustee. He was our champion. He was a voice of moral reason and a true friend of Israel. Senator Lieberman embodied Yeshiva University’s mission: to produce excellent leaders and excellent citizens, empowered by faith and obligated by the bonds of duty. His memory will always be a blessing. His legacy to perfect the world as God’s partner will be recorded in the annals of American and Jewish history.”

The YU statement continued: In a career that spanned four decades, including as the first Jewish American nominated to a national ticket as the Democratic Party’s nominee for vice president in 2000, Senator Lieberman maintained a long and deep relationship with YU — a relationship based on shared values, goals, and a devotion to making the world better. Beyond his valued role as a professor at Yeshiva University, Senator Lieberman was a member of YU’s Board of Trustees since 2021. In that capacity he strengthened and guided YU’s vision, a vision that paralleled his own.

Inspired by Senator Lieberman’s stellar character, bold leadership, and commitment to public service, Yeshiva University announced earlier this year the new Senator Joseph Lieberman-Mitzner Center for Public Service and Advocacy through a principal gift from the Ira Mitzner and Riva Collins families. With Senator Lieberman as its model, the Center will empower the next generation of government leaders and public advocates, with a national and international focus, who are deeply rooted in Jewish values and tradition.

“I am devastated by the loss of our friend and mentor, a model of faith and civility across the political aisle, whose contribution to the world, and to YU, is irreplaceable,” said Ira Mitzner, Chairman of the YU Board of Trustees.

Also expressing his sorrow on the passing of Senator Lieberman, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted the following, “Sara and I grieve with Hadassah and the entire Lieberman family on the passing of our beloved Joe Lieberman. Joe was an exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.”

Netanyahu added that, “In my very first meeting with him decades ago, I was struck by his integrity, decency and civic courage. He had a deep moral sense and common sense and was fearless in the defense of truth. He was also an extraordinarily kind and loyal personal friend. We will miss you greatly, Joe. May the Lieberman family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”

As the nation mourns the loss of Joseph I. Lieberman, his legacy serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of integrity, faith, and public service in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. In honoring his memory, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideals he championed and the principles he held dear, ensuring that his legacy continues to shape the future of American democracy for years to come.

 

 

 

Poll: Half Say They Are Actively ‘Struggling’ in Biden’s Economy

0
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

A majority of likely general election voters disapprove of President Joe Biden’s job performance, and half are actively “struggling” in Biden’s economy, the March survey from McLaughlin & Associates found.

Respondents gave Biden a negative job rating, as 56 percent disapprove of his job performance, compared to 42 percent who approve. Of the 56 percent who disapprove, 40 percent do so “strongly.” Biden is also completely underwater among independents, as 58 percent disapprove of his job performance compared to 37 percent who approve.

Most, 55 percent, also have an unfavorable view of Biden, coopered to 42 percent who have a favorable view. Once again, most independents, 57 percent, have an unfavorable view of Biden as well.

A plurality, 46 percent, have an unfavorable view of “Bidenomics,” and more voters view Biden’s economic policies as “big government socialism” — 43 percent — rather than “free market capitalism” — 35 percent. Notably, 44 percent of independents view Biden’s economic policies as socialism compared to 30 percent who view them as capitalism. This is significant, as voters largely view the economic issues as the most important, according to the survey’s results.

The survey also asked:

Which of the following best describes how inflation and higher costs have impacted your personal and household
financial situation?

1) With inflation and higher prices, we are struggling to keep up and afford basic necessities.

2) We are not struggling but inflation and higher prices have had a significant impact on our finances and spending.

3) Despite inflation and higher prices, we are still able to afford our normal spending without cutting back.

Overall, 83 percent said they have been impacted by inflation in Biden’s America. Of those, 50 percent said they are actively “struggling to keep up and afford basic necessities.” Only 17 percent said they have seen no change in their personal situation.

 

A majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents also said they have been impacted by Biden’s inflation, but that includes 41 percent of Democrats, 57 percent of Republicans, and 53 percent of independents who said they are “struggling to keep up and afford basic necessities.”

The survey was taken March 9-14 among 1,000 likely general election voters.

Speaking to Breitbart News exclusively last week, former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president, warned that the country is in “deep trouble” as “lunatic” Biden is in charge of the country for another seven months, pointing to the economic crisis.

“This country is in deep trouble,” Trump said. “We’ve never been in trouble like this. We’re in more trouble because [Vladimir] Putin doesn’t respect us. Ukraine never would have happened with Russia. Israel never would have been invaded.”

“We wouldn’t have inflation, because it was all caused by energy,” Trump continued. “Day one it was caused by energy. I think we’re in massive trouble as a country. We have a little more than seven months until the election, and that sounds like a short time, but that’s an eternity for this lunatic to be running this country. If we don’t win… I think that November 5 is the most important day in the history of our country.”

Democrat Mega Donor Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Jail for Fraud

0
In this screengrab from an interview with ABC News is Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The interview, which appeared on the program Good Morning America, took place in the Bahamas island of Nassau where FTX was headquartered. (Good Morning America/ABC News via AP)

Sean Moran(Breitbart)

Disgraced FTX CEO and Democrat Megadonor Sam Bankman-Fried on Thursday was sentenced to 25 years in jail for fraud after facing up to 100 years in jail. His sentence pales in comparison to fraudster Bernie Madoff, who received a sentence of 150 years for his financial crimes.

Judge Lewis Kaplan, who sentenced Bankman-Fried said that SBF committed witness tampering before he was remanded into custody when he communicated with former FTX general counsel. Kaplan also found that he committed perjury during his trial testimony; he reportedly falsely testified that he had no knowledge that Alameda Research, FTX’s sister company and hedge fund, had spent FTX customer deposits before the fall of 2022.

Kaplan also said that Bankman-Fried “wanted to be a hugely politically influential person in this country” and that led to his financial crimes.

 

 

The 25-year sentence pales in comparison to the potential 100 years SBF faced based on his crimes, perjury, and witness tampering.

Prosecutor Nicolas Roos said “Sam Bankman-Fried stole over $8 billion in customer money, and I emphasize stole because it was not a liquidity crisis, or an active mismanagement, or poor oversight from the top. It was not a bloodless financial loss on paper.”

Bankman-Fried’s attorney, Marc Mukasey, told the court on Thursday, “Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people.”00

“His real motivations were misapprehended and misunderstood. Really he’s an awkward math nerd…He loves video games and veganism, and he’s compassionate to animals,” he added.

“A lot of people feel really let down, and they were very let down, and I am sorry about that. I am sorry about what happened at every stage. And there are things I should’ve done and things I shouldn’t have,” Bankman-Fried told the court.

In early November, Bankman-Fried was convicted of five counts of conspiracy and two counts of wire fraud.

Ahead of Bankman-Fried’s sentencing, current FTX CEO John Ray issued a scathing rebuke of Bankman-Fried, saying that the former FTX CEO made “callously” and “demonstrably false” claims in Bankman-Fried’s efforts to secure a lighter prison term. Ray said that the harm caused by Bankman-Fried is “vast” and his remorse is “nonexistent.”

 

 

Although one court convicted Bankman-Fried of fraud and conspiracy, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to prosecute Bankman-Fried for his allegedly unlawful political donations using customer funds for his alleged bribery of foreign officials.

Breitbart News reported:

Indeed, during the height of his influence, Bankman-Fried sought to outpace Democrat megadonor George Soros as the largest donor to the party. He reportedly spent $100 million in stolen customer funds to donate mostly to Democrats and was the second largest donor to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. (Only former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave more.) One Puck News report found that Bankman-Fried sought advisers and conducted data experiments to help Democrats during the 2024 elections.
Bankman-Fried’s mother, Barbara Fried, helped craft the strategic memo that guided the Democrats’ 2020 election strategy as the leader of the Democrat super PAC Mind the Gap. Fried, a Stanford University professor, argued that Democrats should move to get non-partisan Americans registered to vote as it is “four to ten times more cost-effective” at “netting additional Democratic votes.”

The trial against Bankman-Fried yielded many startling revelations about Bankman-Fried and how he operated the cryptocurrency exchange. This includes:

  • SBF claimed to be soulless when writing a list of pros and cons about being in a relationship with Caroline Ellison, his on-and-off girlfriend and the head of Alameda
  • Lawyers for Bankman-Fried claimed he was simply a “math nerd” who “didn’t steal from anyone”
  • FTX cofounder Gary Wang spilled his guts on the company’s fraud
  • Bribery and Thai prostitutes were used as bargaining chips to unlock $1 billion of frozen funds on other digital currency exchanges
  • Bankman-Fried needed Adderall to “meaningfully participate” in the trial
  • Bankman-Fried ignored employee concerns about extravagant spending, including a $30 million penthouse in the Bahamas that served as the company’s headquarters
  • Bankman-Fried only “skimmed” the company’s terms of service
  • Bankman-Fried was “foolish” to stand as a witness during the trial
  • Lawyers for Bankman-Fried decried his conditions in jail, including a lack of vegan meals, saying, “because he’s following his principles, [Bankman-Fried] is only now subsisting on a diet of bread and water.”

Another infamous fraudster, Bernard “Bernie” Madoff,” was sentenced to 150 years in prison for his multi-billion dollar fraud scheme.

Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.

 

US Sanctions Online Media Site Gaza Now and Its Founder for Allegedly Supporting Hamas

0
FILE- This June 6, 2019, file photo shows the U.S. Treasury Department building at dusk in Washington. The U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions on an online media site called Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayash, for allegedly supporting Hamas. U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control says that after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel — the online entity began a fundraising effort in support of the militant organization.  (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

(AP) — The U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions on online media site Gaza Now and its founder Mustafa Ayash for allegedly supporting Hamas.

U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control says that after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel — the online entity began a fundraising effort in support of the militant organization.

Gaza Now’s Arabic channel has more than 300,000 followers on social media channel X, formerly known as Twitter, and a large following on the encrypted chat platform Telegram.

Included in the sanctions are firms Al-Qureshi Executives and Aakhirah Ltd., and their director Aozma Sultana, who are alleged to have partnered on multiple fundraising efforts alongside Gaza Now.

The sanctions were imposed in collaboration with the U.K.’s Office of Foreign Sanctions Implementation.

Treasury Under Secretary Brian Nelson said in a statement that the U.S. and its partners “will continue to leverage our tools to disrupt Hamas’ ability to facilitate further attacks.”

A representative for Gaza Now and Ayash were not immediately available. The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent those designated from doing business with Americans.

Baltimore Mayor Goes on Unhinged MSNBC Rant Threatens White Conservatives

0

By Jared Evan

 Radical, Far left Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott appeared on extremist Joy Reid’s MSNBC show to assert that white conservatives “should be afraid” of the consequences of calling him the ‘DEI Mayor’ and that his “purpose in life” was to make them uncomfortable, in an unhinged, racist and divisive rant.
Baltimore is a city that has been in crisis for decades, with sky high crime rates, a declining population and urban decay, similiar to what was seen in 1970’s Bronx.
Angry and out in the open racist , Joy Reid , asserted that when right-wingers make fun of DEI, they actually mean just “black people,” claiming, “It’s the reason they complained about Critical Race Theory, it’s not fashionable to be openly racist anymore in America.”

Mayor Scott , who looks liike A BLM street activist went on a hateful, racist rant on National TV
The mayor complained about “young black men” being demonized and treated as the “boogeymen” by racist conservatives who think that “only straight, white wealthy men” should have power.
The left wing lunatic said
“We know what they want to say and they don’t have the courage to say the n-word,” he ludicrously added, before appearing to make some kind of veiled threat.
“The fact that I don’t believe in their untruthful and wrong ideology and I am very proud of my heritage and who I am and where I come from scares them, because me being at my position means that their way of thinking, their way of life of being comfortable while everyone else suffers is going to be at risk and they should be afraid because that’s my purpose in life,” said Scott.
Scott’s “purpose in life” is to make white people uncomfortable and afraid. 
With a crime rate of 48 per one thousand residents, Baltimore has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21
Mayor Scott is an extremist to the core, and could be the final nail in the coffin of the once great city.  Scott only sees one thing, and that is skin color.
As his city collapses in a cesspool of crime and death, the mayor is more interested in attacking “white conservatives” which do not even  exist in Baltimore, a citv controlled 100% by Democrats, who are mostly non-white.

US Intel Agency Wants To Ban Terms ‘Radical Islamists’ and ‘Jihadist’ Because They’re Hurtful to Muslim Americans

0
biznews.com
Adam Kredo

The United States’ top intelligence agency wants to ban its spies from using “biased language,” including the terms “radical Islamists” and “jihadist,” saying these words “are hurtful to Muslim-Americans and detrimentally impact our efforts as they bolster extremist rhetoric,” according to a language guide published internally.

 

The
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI),
which is responsible for handling the country’s spy apparatus, seeks to ban a range of common terms because it says they offend Muslims and foment racism against employees. In addition to terms describing Islamic terrorists, ODNI instructs employees to avoid phrases such as “blacklisted,” “cakewalk,” “brown bag,” “grandfathered,” and “sanity check.”
“Blacklisted,” for instance, “implies black is bad and white is good,” while “cakewalk” is said to refer “to a dance performed by slaves for slave owners on plantation grounds.” “Brown bag,” a term most often used to describe a paper bag that holds one’s lunch, actually “refers to the ‘brown bag’ test practices in the 20th century within the African American community,” according to ODNI, which outlined these terms in an internal magazine produced by the agency’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.
The document, which was first reported by the Daily Wire, is the latest example of how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives inside the American government are reshaping how employees speak to one another and perform their national security jobs. Critics describe these programs as part of a “woke” cultural shift promoted by far-left activists and their allies in the Biden administration. Republicans in Congress are looking to strip millions in federal funding for DEI programs across the military and other agencies, arguing they fundamentally harm the country’s national security operations across the globe.
Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees the intelligence community, said woke initiatives like the ones laid out in the magazine are “a gift to our adversaries.”
“U.S. intelligence officials are being trained to use terms that don’t ‘disparage’ China or Islamic terrorists,” Banks said. “Wokeness is a gift to our adversaries.”
The quarterly magazine, called The Dive, also includes an anonymous article by a male intelligence officer who discusses the benefits of being a crossdresser. “I am an intelligence officer, and I am a man who likes to wear women’s clothes sometimes,” the anonymous employee wrote. “I think my experiences as someone who crossdresses have sharpened the skills I use as an intelligence officer, particularly critical thinking and perspective-taking.”
The ODNI magazine was published earlier this year and focuses on “the importance of words.”
“What we say can make or break rapport, elevate or tarnish a reputation, and even support or refute a narrative,” wrote the magazine’s editor in chief, a DEI employee whose name is redacted. “As employees of the [intelligence community], our work and our words are forever etched in history and speak volumes to the important work we carry out in service of the greater good. It is paramount that we are cognizant about the terminology we use in every aspect of our duties.”
The magazine is a product of discussion among “all nine diversity advisory committees” housed in the U.S. intelligence community. The officials are “working tirelessly to identify their constituents’ challenges, concerning terminology, and themes to incorporate in their respective language guidance reports.”
Discussions about Islamic terrorists and their ideology remain a central concern for the intelligence community, which is prioritizing “disentangling Islam from words and phrases used to discuss terrorism and extremist violence.”
Officials say they “noticed how some trainings and official presentations conflated Islamic beliefs with terrorism, which is offensive and alienates our Muslim-American colleagues.” Additionally, they “noticed how the [U.S. government], particularly the [intelligence community], used certain phrases to identify international terrorism threats that are hurtful to Muslim-Americans and detrimentally impact our efforts as they bolster extremist rhetoric.”
These observations led to several common phrases being listed as “problematic” and banned from use. Intelligence community employees should not say “Salafi-Jihadist,” “Jihadist,” “Islamic-Extremist,” “Sunni/Shia-Extremism,” or “Radical Islamists,” according to the document. “These terms incorrectly suggest that Islamic beliefs somehow condone the actions and rhetoric espoused by these foreign terrorist organizations.”
Intelligence community officials spoke with a range of academic and community activists when sculpting this policy.
“The majority of people we spoke with mentioned how they ‘cringe’ when hearing [government] officials use these offensive terms and noted it creates an incorrect perception that the American identity conflicts with Islamic beliefs, even though Muslim-Americans have been a part of the fabric of this society as far back as the war for independence,” the magazine says.
“Together,” the publication states, “we can make micro-changes in our culture and in our personal and professional environments.”
The document outlines other terms that are not racially charged but are nonetheless labeled problematic.
“Grandfathered,” for instance, refers to a “statutory and constitutional clause enacted by seven states from 1895 to 1910 that denied suffrage to African Americans, preventing them from the right to vote prior to 1866,” according to a list of hurtful words included in the documents.
“Sanity check” is also listed as a term that could offend colleagues because it “implies that individuals with mental illness are inferior, wrong, or incorrect.”
In the article on crossdressing, headlined “My Gender Identity and Expression Make Me a Better Intelligence Officer,” the employee writes that “I’m more aware of, and hopefully supporting, my women colleagues.”
“I now have a better appreciation for how it can be uncomfortable to wear women’s clothes sometimes,” he writes. “I know firsthand how wearing heels can make your feet hurt and make it take longer to walk somewhere. Although I like wearing a bra, I know it isn’t comfortable for everyone, and is less comfortable after a few hours. On top of the biases that women often face at work, it must be hard to be uncomfortable, too.”
Crossdressing, the employee says, makes him “better at understanding clandestine assets and their motivations. I understand the motivation to keep secrets about who you are and what you are doing, which sounds similar to some of the experience of an asset.”
The magazine also includes a word search game that includes terms like “accessibility,” “inclusion,” “equality,” and “ally.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) said the intelligence community’s avoidance of phrases like “Islamic terrorism” interferes with efforts to crackdown on Palestinian terror groups, like Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which participated in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
“October 7 was carried out by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Apparently, that is an inconvenient fact to the language, commissars, who I presume want to edit out the word Islamic from the name of the terrorist group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Cruz said in a recent episode on his podcast. “If the intelligence community has no idea, refuses to acknowledge what is actually happening, it means they will be utterly ineffective in fighting against it and keeping Americans and our allies safe.”

Jewish Dems Endorse ‘Squad’ Challengers, Pitting Them Against Incumbents Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush

0
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.) is excusing the basketball players who hurled anti-Semitic slurs at their Jewish opponents. Credit: AP

Jessica Costescu– Free Beacon

The Jewish Democratic Council of America is backing primary challengers to anti-Israel Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D., N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D., Mo.), marking the first time the group has endorsed against any Democratic incumbent.

The council announced its support for pro-Israel Democrats George Latimer and Wesley Bell, who are running against Bowman and Bush, respectively, in a Thursday press release.

“George Latimer, a longtime progressive leader in Westchester County and a partner to Jewish New Yorkers, resolutely stands behind our community when challenging moments arise, including the current one,” JCDA chair-elect Susie Stern said.

“At an unprecedented moment for Jewish Americans, we are responding with action at the ballot box,” chief of staff Sam Crystal added.

The unprecedented move reflects Bowman and Bush’s vulnerability as they barrel toward their summer primaries.

Both Bowman and Bush have ramped up their anti-Israel rhetoric in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack, prompting criticism from Jewish leaders in their districts. In November, Bowman accused Israel of “mass murder,” “genocide,” and “ethnic cleansing,” rhetoric that Bush has echoed.

In Bowman’s New York City district, 26 rabbis wrote an October letter that denounced the congressman’s “anti-Israel policy positions and messaging” and encouraged Latimer to run. In Bush’s St. Louis district, a coalition of Jewish organizations similarly accused the congresswoman of “fanning the flames of antisemitism.”

“Representative Bush has shown little outrage against the horrendous attacks by an organization whose very charter calls for the killing of all Jewish people,” the coalition wrote in a November letter.

“To the contrary, in private discussions she has stated repeatedly that she supports the Jewish community, is listening to our fears and concerns, and stands against antisemitism,” the coalition continued. “She then issues public statements that directly contradict what she told us in private.”

In addition to her claim that Israel is committing “genocide,” Bush was one of just two House members who voted against a January bill that barred terrorists who participated in the Oct. 7 attack from entering the United States. Bush said the bill would “target immigrants and incite anti-Palestinian hate.”

Bell condemned Bush in response, calling her vote “offensive and embarrassing to our community.”

“We will never be a safe haven for terrorists, and we need a Congressperson who knows better,” he said in a statement.

Neither Bowman nor Bush responded to requests for comment. Last month, the lawmakers teamed up to hold a joint fundraiser in Los Angeles, which was hosted by a number of anti-Israel activists who defended Hamas’s attack on the Jewish state, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

Bowman will square off against Latimer in late June, while Bush’s primary date against Bell is Aug. 6. The winners of those primaries are expected to win their general elections in November.

Gaza terrorist confesses to raping Israeli woman during October 7th invasions

0
Manar Mahmoud Muhammad Kasem, a Islamic Jihad terrorist who confessed to raping an Israeli woman on October 7th. (IDF)

By World Israel News Staff

A Gaza terrorist affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement confessed to raping an Israeli woman during the invasion of October 7th, telling interrogators details about the sexual assault.

On Thursday, the IDF released a five-minute video clip recorded during the questioning of Manar Mahmoud Muhammad Kasem, a 28-year-old Islamic Jihad terrorist from the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis who was captured by Israeli forces.

During his interrogation, Kasem candidly describes his attacks on Israelis during October 7th, as well as the rape he perpetrated against an Israeli woman in her home.

Kasem, a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s naval assault force, described

“First thing in the morning I woke up and went to the command and control center. My friend, Mahmoud al-Khush, had told me to come,” Kasem said.

He crossed the Israel-Gaza border armed with a pistol and two grenades, while his companion carried an AK-47, Kasem said.

During an ensuing gun fight, Kasem ran towards a nearby kibbutz.

“We walked and I got off before the jeep and then we walked a bit, and the person who was with me was hit in the head,” Kasem recalled.

“Out of fear, I entered the kibbutz and went in the nearest house.”

Initially, Kasem said, he did not see anyone in the house.

“But then I entered a room and there was someone there, she was frightened.”

“She was afraid of me, but asked me to help her. I took her and threw her onto a couch.”

When asked to describe her, he said the woman had “hair that wasn’t extremely long – like normal – and she was thin.”

“She was wearing a blue skirt and white shirt.”

“The devil took control of me,” Kasem continued, describing the rape. “I laid her down and started to undress her. Then I did what I did. I slept with her.”

When pressed to fully elaborate, Kasem admitted: “I raped her.”

“She pushed me. It didn’t last long; I heard shouting outside. It was two minutes, maybe a minute and a half.”

Moments later, two more terrorists burst into the home, and another woman, possibly the rape victim’s mother, was heard screaming.

“After we heard the screams, she and I both started to get dressed, and then these two men entered. They had uniforms of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.”

“They pulled in the girl’s mother and sat the two next to each other. The girl and the mother started comforting each other, from what I understood.”

“Then suddenly they took the girl and the woman…I stayed in the room and they left through the gate they had entered from.”

Afterwards, Kasem said he opened fire on several Israeli men, wounding one of them.

“I heard gunshots near me, in the houses behind me. I drew my pistol and I shot one [man], he fell on the floor. Another hid, and I threw a grenade and fled the kibbutz.”

Three Israelis wounded in Jordan Valley terror shooting

0
Three Israelis were wounded in a Palestinian terror shooting along Route 90 in the Jordan Valley, March 28, 2024. Credit: Rescuers Without Borders.

 

A Palestinian gunman opened fire on a school bus and several cars traveling along Route 90, near Al-Auja, north of Jericho.

The terrorist ambushed passing vehicles from the side of the road, firing at them from a standing position and then immediately fleeing the scene, according to eyewitnesses.

The terrorist was masked and wearing clothing resembling an IDF uniform.

Israeli forces launched a manhunt for the perpetrator.

Amid the search, the head of the IDF’s Central Command, Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fox, held a situational assessment at the scene of the attack.

Magen David Adom emergency medics treated a 30-year-old man with moderate gunshot wounds and another man in his 20s who was lightly injured. A 13-year-old boy was also lightly injured by glass shards.

The two adult victims were evacuated to Hadassah-Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem while the teen was being treated at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in the capital.

Victims of a Palestinian terror shooting arrive at Jerusalem’s Hadassah-Ein Kerem Medical Center, March 28, 2024. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90.

“We must defeat the enemy while deepening our roots in the land of our forefathers. Precisely now is the time to apply sovereignty to the Jordan Valley, an area whose importance is not disputed in Israeli society,” said Israeli lawmaker Dan Illouz, a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

“This would be a victory remembered for generations,” he added.

Yesha Council chairman Shlomo Ne’eman demanded that the tide be turned, saying: “The Palestinian Authority is waging a war against us, and only action with the same force as in Gaza will eliminate all threats throughout Judea and Samaria.

“We call on the government of Israel and its leader to on the one hand allow the development of settlements without restrictions and on the other hand to go to war to eliminate the vile enemy. Jewish blood will not be spilled in vain,” added Ne’eman.

Separately on Thursday, a Palestinian suspect was arrested after refusing to be checked by IDF soldiers at the Bekaa crossing and subsequently driving through the barrier.

A chase ensued and soldiers apprehended the suspect.

There were no injuries to Israeli forces and the suspect was transferred for questioning.

The Bekaa crossing is located on Route 90 in the northern Jordan Valley, near the village of Tayasir in Samaria.

On Friday, IDF Sgt. First Class Ilay David Garfinkel, 21, was killed and six other soldiers wounded in a shootout with a Palestinian terrorist in Samaria.

The attack began when the terrorist, identified as Mujahid Barakat Mansour, opened fire with a sniper rifle on an Israeli minibus traveling near Dolev, located west of Ramallah in the Binyamin region.

No one was injured in the attack, but during the ensuing manhunt, Israeli forces engaged Mansour in gun battles that lasted several hours, resulting in the casualties.

The IDF deployed additional troops to the area along with aerial support, including a combat helicopter, and the terrorist was eventually killed by a missile strike.

Start Walking: Democrat-run NYC Approves $15 Toll on Cars Entering Manhattan

0
Shutterstock

Simon  Kent(Breitbart)

Democrat-run New York is poised to become the first U.S. city to hit drivers with punitive tolls after transit officials on Wednesday approved a $15 fee for most motorists headed to the busiest part of Manhattan.

AP reports members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board approved the congestion pricing impost, expected to go into effect in June.

The board waved through only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago while rejecting all requests for exceptions by dozens of groups of commuters.

 

The vote authorizes a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles each and every time they drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone that’s south of Central Park, during daytime hours.

Tolls are higher for larger vehicles, and lower for late-night entries into the city, as well as for motorcycles.

Such schemes have been implemented in London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore where private motorists are routinely punished for entering the busiest and most popular parts of those cities.

Pushback has been swift and targeted in central London by locals furious at the charges imposed as they go about their daily business.

To enter Manhattan, commuters from other states and boroughs already pay around $15 in bridge and tunnel tolls — and the congestion fee will come on top of that.

Daily parking costs already run $25 to $50 in the congestion zone, which includes a dozen neighborhoods in Manhattan that are south of 60th street.

If the plan survives anticipated legal challenges, New York will become the first U.S. city to implement a congestion pricing scheme.

In 2017, Virginia officials implemented a toll system to reduce congestion during rush hour on Interstate 66 near Washington, DC.

Trump to Join Wake Honoring Slain NYPD Officer as Biden Attends Fundraiser

0
This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows police officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday, March 25, 2024, in New York. Former President Donald Trump will attend Thursday's wake for Diller, who was gunned down in the line of duty. (New York City Police Department via AP)

Simon Kent

Former President Donald Trump will join Thursday’s wake of a New York City police officer gunned down in the line of duty as the presumed Republican 2024 candidate makes crime in Democrat cities a focus of his third tilt at the White House.

As Trump honors the fallen, President Joe Biden will also be in New York attending a fundraiser with Democratic ex-presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

 

 

AP reports the visitation for Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop on Monday, will be held in suburban Massapequa.

Police said 31-year-old Diller was shot below his bulletproof vest while approaching an illegally parked car in Queens.

This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows police officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday, March 25, 2024, in New York. Former President Donald Trump will attend Thursday’s wake for Diller. (New York City Police Department via AP)

Diller, who was married and had a 1-year-old son, was rushed to a hospital where he died.

Trump has long deplored crime in heavily Democrat-run cities and wants to immunize police officers from lawsuits for potential misconduct as they tackle the problem.

Trump’s campaign did not offer more details about his appearance or whether he planned to speak.

“President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death,” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Remembering Joseph I. Lieberman:  Trailblazer for Jewish Representation in National Politics

0

 

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Joseph I. Lieberman, a towering figure in American politics and the first Jewish candidate on a major-party presidential ticket, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82, as was reported by the New York Times.  His legacy as Connecticut’s four-term United States senator and his significant role as Vice President Al Gore’s Democratic running mate in the contentious 2000 presidential election remain indelible marks on the nation’s political landscape.

Lieberman’s family confirmed that his passing was due to complications from a fall at his home in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, New York. Despite efforts to save him, Lieberman succumbed to his injuries at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Upper Manhattan.

At the zenith of his political career, Lieberman emerged as a voice of morality and integrity within the Democratic Party. He made history as the first major Democrat to publicly rebuke President Bill Clinton for his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, according to the information provided in the NYT report. This principled stance solidified Lieberman’s reputation as a man of conscience and paved the way for his selection as Al Gore’s running mate at the Democratic National Convention in August 2000.

The Gore-Lieberman ticket campaigned on themes of integrity and faith, seeking to distance themselves from the scandals that plagued the Clinton administration, the NYT report noted. Lieberman’s advocacy for bringing religion and faith into public life resonated with many Americans, reflecting his deeply held convictions and commitment to moral leadership.

In the fiercely contested 2000 presidential election, the Gore-Lieberman team secured a narrow plurality of the popular vote, garnering half a million more votes than their Republican counterparts, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, as was indicated in the NYT report. However, the Electoral College outcome remained uncertain, plunging the nation into an intense legal battle that would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

Despite the outcome of the election, Lieberman’s impact on American politics transcends electoral victories and defeats. Throughout his four terms in the Senate, he remained a steadfast advocate for bipartisan cooperation and principled leadership, the NYT report said. His legacy as a trailblazer for Jewish representation in national politics and his unwavering commitment to upholding moral values continue to inspire generations of leaders and citizens alike.

As the nation mourns the loss of Joseph I. Lieberman, his legacy serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of integrity, faith, and public service in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society. In honoring his memory, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideals he championed and the principles he held dear, ensuring that his legacy continues to shape the future of American democracy for years to come.

New York Senate Republicans Propose Laws to Combat Anti-Semitism

0
Yellow Star of David with shadow on black background. Credit: Ausra Barysiene/Shutterstock.

 

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In response to a disturbing surge in anti-Semitic incidents, New York State Senate Republicans have introduced a comprehensive package of laws aimed at protecting the Jewish community and curbing acts of hatred. The New York Post reported that the proposed legislation, unveiled on Wednesday, includes measures to criminalize the removal of pro-Israel posters and flyers, define anti-Semitism under state law, and enhance penalties for anti-Semitic acts.

At the forefront of the proposed laws is a provision that would make tearing down pro-Israel posters and flyers a misdemeanor offense. This response comes in the wake of a disturbing trend where such materials have been targeted for removal, particularly following the Hamas terror attacks in October and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, according to the information provided in the Post report.   By prohibiting the removal of pro-Jewish materials, lawmakers aim to send a clear message that acts of anti-Semitism will not be tolerated.

Speaking at a news conference, Senate Republican Minority Leader Robert Ortt emphasized the importance of taking decisive action to combat anti-Semitism. With New York boasting the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, Ortt stressed the obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, regardless of their religious affiliation, as was indicated in the Post report.  The proposed legislation seeks to protect Jewish individuals from discrimination and harassment, reaffirming the state’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.

The legislative package also includes provisions to define anti-Semitism under the state Human Rights Law, making it easier to prosecute acts of hate targeting Jewish individuals, as per the Post report. This measure aims to provide legal clarity and accountability in addressing anti-Semitic incidents, and empowering law enforcement agencies to effectively investigate and prosecute perpetrators.

Furthermore, the proposed laws seek to hold accountable institutions and organizations that engage in anti-Semitic behavior. This includes blocking state tuition assistance to entities found to be involved in anti-Jewish harassment and requiring SUNY and CUNY campuses to implement anti-Semitism awareness and prevention sensitivity training or risk losing state funding. Additionally, the Post report said that the expansion of the crime of harassing conduct to include Nazi symbols reflects a commitment to confronting hate symbols and ideologies that propagate anti-Semitism.

During a press conference in Albany, Senator Ortt issued a challenge to Democratic lawmakers to support the proposed measures. The bipartisan effort to combat anti-Semitism underscores the urgency of addressing hate crimes and promoting tolerance and understanding in New York State.

Drawing attention to recent remarks by Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the need for decisive action, Republican senators are calling for measures to combat anti-Semitism and support the Jewish community.

Senator Schumer’s criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and condemnation of certain leftist Democrats who have aligned with Hamas have underscored the urgency of addressing anti-Semitism within political discourse, the report in the Post explained.  Schumer’s remarks have sparked debate and prompted Senate Republicans to take a proactive stance in confronting hate speech and discriminatory actions.

The Senate GOP initiated a working group dedicated to addressing anti-Semitism in March of last year, well before the eruption of violence between Hamas terrorists and Israel in October, as was observed in the Post report.  Despite these efforts, anti-Semitism has continued to proliferate, prompting concern and frustration among lawmakers.

Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick expressed bewilderment at the escalating levels of anti-Semitism, lamenting the lack of sympathy for Jewish communities. The report in the Post noted that she emphasized the need for collective action to combat bigotry and discrimination targeting individuals of Jewish descent.

Senator Jack Martins, who chaired the working group, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the debate over the conflict in the Middle East should not serve as a pretext for mistreating Jewish individuals in New York, as was explained in the Post report. He called for a renewed commitment to tolerance and acceptance, urging the state to reclaim its status as a bastion of inclusivity and diversity.

In contrast, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, a Democrat, has yet to offer a response to the Republican-led initiative. The absence of immediate commentary from Democratic leadership shines an important spotlight on the political divide surrounding efforts to address the dramatic escalation of anti-Semitism and the challenges of finding bipartisan solutions to combat hate speech and discrimination, according to the report in the Post.

As the debate over anti-Semitism continues to unfold, Senate Republicans remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting the Jewish community and fostering an environment of tolerance and respect. Their proposed measures seek to address the root causes of anti-Semitism and ensure that New York upholds its legacy as a beacon of diversity and inclusion in the United States.

 

Lawsuit Alleges Suppression of Conservative Voices in Brooklyn Parent Board

0

Lawsuit Alleges Suppression of Conservative Voices in Brooklyn Parent Board

Edited by: TJVNews.com

A contentious legal battle is brewing in Brooklyn as a group of parents has accused an ultra-liberal parent board and the Department of Education of stifling conservative voices and infringing upon their First Amendment rights. According to a report on Wednesday that appeared in the New York Post, the lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn Federal Court on Tuesday night, alleges that the Community Education Council 14 (CEC 14) in the Greenpoint and Williamsburg sections of the borough have implemented draconian speech codes and systematically blocked dissenting voices from public events.

The lawsuit was filed by the Institute for Free Speech, a First Amendment think tank. The plaintiffs, including Deborah Alexander, Maud Maron, and Noah Harlan, assert that the actions of CEC 14 and Chancellor David Banks have curtailed free speech and inhibited open debate, as was reported by the Post. Specifically, the lawsuit claims that individuals perceived to hold conservative viewpoints, including members of the group Moms for Liberty, have been targeted and excluded from participating in public meetings and discussions.

“The First Amendment does not allow New York City’s Department of Education to function as a Department of Conformity,” the lawsuit declares, emphasizing the fundamental importance of protecting free speech and ensuring a diversity of viewpoints within public discourse, the Post report explained. The plaintiffs argue that the alleged censorship and suppression of dissenting voices represents a violation of their constitutional rights and undermine the principles of democracy.

Central to the lawsuit is the demand for a court injunction to dismantle the stranglehold that CEC 14 has imposed on public discourse. The Post reported that the lawsuit said that the plaintiffs seek not only the removal of restrictive speech codes but also nominal damages of $17.91 per plaintiff, in addition to attorney fees.

The lawsuit takes aim at CEC 14 president Tahj Sutton and first vice-president Marissa Manzanares, accusing them of fostering an environment hostile to dissenting opinions. The Post report indicated that the court filings reveal allegations of intolerance towards individuals who hold differing viewpoints, with the plaintiffs contending that Sutton and Manzanares have allowed their personal biases to influence their roles within the parent board.

While the lawsuit acknowledges that holding personal beliefs is not inherently unlawful, it contends that the defendants’ actions have crossed the line by carrying their personal attitudes into positions of authority, according to the information provided in the Post report. By alleging that dissenting voices have been systematically silenced and marginalized, the plaintiffs aim to hold CEC 14 and its leadership accountable for a clear cut infringement on their constitutional rights.

 

The lawsuit alleges that Sutton and Manzanares have systematically blocked individuals with opposing views from speaking at public council meetings and have even expelled Deborah Alexander in the past. Additionally, the plaintiffs question the competency of Sutton and Manzanares as leaders, citing their treatment of speakers with differing opinions and their refusal to conduct meetings in person, as was detailed in the Post report. By holding virtual sessions, the lawsuit claims, Sutton and Manzanares exert editorial control over attendees, blocking individuals such as Harlan and Alexander from registering for these public meetings.

Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses CEC 14 of espousing a “strongly anti-Israel worldview” and alleges that criticism of the council’s support for an anti-Israel student walkout resulted in members of the public being cut off and expelled from meetings based on their views, the report in the Post revealed. The council’s “Community Guidelines” are also under scrutiny for containing vague and overbroad rules governing public comment, including prohibitions on “any… forms of oppressive beliefs.”

The plaintiffs further assert that they have been blocked from accessing the parent board’s X account due to their political views, further exacerbating concerns about censorship and discrimination within CEC 14.

In response to the allegations, CEC 14 has remained silent, failing to provide comment or address the accusations leveled against its leadership, as was noted in the Post. The lack of response from the council only serves to deepen concerns about transparency and accountability within the organization.

The lawsuit also sheds light on a series of complaints, known as Chancellor regulation D-210 complaints, which allegedly target individuals who hold conservative viewpoints and seek to remove them from their positions within Community Education Councils (CECs), according to the information contained in the Post report.

Chancellor regulation D-210 grants the DOE authority to investigate CEC members and potentially strip them of their roles, a power that plaintiffs argue has been wielded to suppress dissenting voices and impose ideological conformity, the report in the Post pointed out. The lawsuit alleges that individuals with conservative values have faced harsh consequences for their beliefs, with accusations of orchestrating and promoting a citywide anti-Israel student walkout among the litany of complaints.

One such individual, Maud Maron, a member of CEC 2, has found herself at the center of the controversy. According to the lawsuit, Maron has been targeted with two D-210 complaints, the first stemming from private text messages where she voiced criticism of medical gender transition procedures in children, the report revealed. These messages, revealed in an article, drew condemnation from a DOE spokesperson who deemed them “despicable” and not aligned with the department’s values. Subsequently, Chancellor David Banks allegedly threatened to remove Maron from her position due to her expressed viewpoints.

The second complaint against Maron relates to her denunciation of a Stuyvesant High School student’s anonymous editorial on the Middle East conflict as “revolting Hamas propaganda,” the Post said. Maron’s vocal opposition to biased content in the school newspaper led to further scrutiny and allegations of wrongdoing.

Maron’s involvement in political activism, including a run for the U.S. House to represent New York’s 10th Congressional District and her roles in organizations such as PLACE (Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education) and Moms for Liberty, has further heightened tensions surrounding the allegations, according to the information in the Post report.  While Maron ultimately lost in the Democratic primary for the congressional seat, her continued advocacy for conservative values has made her a lightning rod for controversy within the education community.

At the forefront of their agenda is the fight against COVID safety measures in schools, as well as efforts to ban books and limit discussions on topics related to race and LGBTQ identities, as revealed in the Post report. These initiatives have thrust Moms for Liberty into the national spotlight, with the group attracting media attention for its vocal opposition to a formidable overreach in educational policies.

The controversy surrounding Moms for Liberty and similar groups has intensified with allegations that they have been labeled as “hate groups” by CEC 14, further exacerbating tensions within the education community. Maron, speaking to the Post, expressed alarm at the perceived targeting of parents who challenge the prevailing orthodoxy, lamenting the chilling effect that such investigations can have on public discourse and democratic engagement.

“We should show our children how to engage with those with different ideas, not how to silence them,” Maron asserted, according to the Post, thus highlighting the importance of fostering an environment of open dialogue and respectful debate within educational settings.

Deborah Alexander, a member of the advocacy group PLACE, finds herself under investigation by the DOE for allegedly revealing the school district of her political opponent’s child, Gavin Healy, according to the Post report. While the suit claims that the school district in question was already publicized by the DOE, Alexander’s actions have nevertheless drawn scrutiny from education authorities. Similarly, Noah Harlan, another figure implicated in the lawsuit, has not faced direct investigation but reportedly feels constrained in his speech, wary of potential repercussions.

“The threat of D-210 complaints being filed against them in retaliation for expressing their political views has chilled Plaintiffs’ expression, causing them to alter their public and even private speech,” the lawsuit asserts, as was indicated in the Post report, highlighting the chilling effect that the investigations have had on individuals associated with conservative advocacy.

In response to inquiries from the Post about the allegations, a DOE spokesperson emphasized the department’s commitment to creating safe and welcoming school communities. “Our Community Education Councils are forums for parent voice, and we expect Council members to respect the rights of the parents and students they serve, as well as adhere to applicable laws,” the spokesperson stated, as was mentioned in the Post report.

Netanyahu seeks to reschedule US meeting after blasting Biden’s ‘very, very bad move’

0
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conference at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv on February 29, 2024. (Nimrod Klikman/POOL)

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

The Israeli government has asked the Biden administration to reschedule a planned meeting in Washington, just days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the meeting cancelled in protest of the recent United Nations Security Council vote demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

On Monday, after the U.S. mission to the UN declined to utilize the American veto, allowing a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu nixed plans to dispatch a delegation to Washington to discuss the much-anticipated IDF operation in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

On Wednesday, however, a U.S. official cited in reports published by NBC News and Reuters said that the Israeli government is now seeking to reschedule the trip, and has reached out to the White House.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had told reporters at a White House press briefing Monday evening that the Biden administration was “perplexed” by Israel’s response to the UN vote.

“We’re kind of perplexed by this” decision, since “our vote does not – I repeat – does not represent a shift in our policy.”

“It seems like the prime minister’s office is choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that,” he added.

The U.S. official quoted Wednesday claimed that the Prime Minister’s Office “has said they’d like to reschedule the meeting dedicated to Rafah. We are now working with them to set a convenient date.”

The Israeli government has yet to respond to the report, though an Israeli official in Washington told Reuters that Netanyahu is considering sending out the delegation, possibly as early as next week.

Wednesday’s report comes just hours after the prime minister told Florida Senator Rick Scott that cancelling the delegation had sent an important message to Hamas.

“I thought the US decision in the Security Council was a very, very bad move,” Netanyahu said.

“The worst part about it was that it encouraged Hamas to take a hard line and to believe that international pressure will prevent Israel from freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas.”

“My decision not to send the delegation to Washington in the wake of that resolution was a message to Hamas: Don’t bet on this pressure, it’s not going to work. I hope they got the message.”

 

US senator calls EU accusations of Gaza starvation ‘bulls**t blood libel’

0
US Senator Lindsey Graham. (AP/Andrew Harnik)

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham pushed back on claims Israel has sought to starve Gazans as part of the ongoing war against Hamas, calling the accusation “bullsh**.

Speaking with reporters during a visit to Jerusalem’s King David Hotel Wednesday, the Republican lawmaker said the claim that Israel has used starvation as a weapon of war is a modern-day “blood libel.”

“You’re talking about an accusation that is just a blood libel,” South Carolina’s senior senator said.

“Never in the history of warfare have I seen such an effort by one of the protagonists in a war to lessen the effect on the population of the other side,” Graham continued.

“The Israeli military and government, in my view, are doing incredible efforts in a time of war to make sure that innocent Palestinians can have the basics of life.”

Last week, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war” against Gaza. “Israel is provoking famine.”

In his rebuttal of such accusations, Graham noted the flow of supplies into Gaza.

“I know it is miserable in Gaza. I’m sure it is. But the food is flowing. Health care is flowing the best it can.”

“The Israeli people through their military and elected officials have chosen to help the Palestinian people,” comparing the war between Israel and Hamas to World War II.

“Was there a moral imperative in World War II by the United States to lessen casualties in Germany and Japan?”

“If you had told the American people after Pearl Harbor, you need to come up with a plan to feed civilian populations and lessen casualties at the expense of military victory, you would have been run out of town.”

Graham placed the responsibility for the suffering caused by the war on both sides on the Hamas terror organization, calling its members “cowards,” and on Iran.

“They hide in tunnels,” Graham said of Hamas. “They hide behind children, women, the elderly, and the Palestinian people pay a heavy price.”

“At the end of the day, the Iranian problem has to be addressed for this region to ever know peace.”

The senator met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, as well as with Minister-Without-Portfolio Benny Gantz.

During his visit, Graham also spoke with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi by phone.

Turning to the future of the Gaza Strip after the current war with Hamas, Graham said that plans for Israel to “occupy Gaza and to resettle [Gazans]” was not “a practical solution that would have much support anywhere.”

“The best way forward, I believe, is for Saudi Arabia and Israel to reconcile, and for Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf states to take ownership of the Palestinian file in a fashion to demilitarize the West Bank and Gaza and to come up with a plan to deradicalize the populations.”