By: Michael R. Sisak

Prosecutors and defense lawyers in Donald Trump’s hush money trial are set to deliver closing arguments to the jury Tuesday, each side looking to score final points with the panel before it starts deliberating the fate of the first former American president to be charged with felony crimes.

The arguments, expected to last the entire day, will give the attorneys one last chance to address the Manhattan jury hearing the landmark case. After more than four weeks of testimony, the summations tee up a momentous and historically unprecedented task for the jury as it decides whether to convict the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in connection with payments during the 2016 election to prevent a porn actor from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump.

Prosecutors will tell jurors that they have heard enough testimony to convict Trump of all charges while defense attorneys will aim to create doubts about the strength of evidence by targeting the credibility of Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer who pleaded guilty to federal charges for his role in the hush money payments and who served as the star prosecution witness in the trial.

After the closing arguments are given, the judge will instruct the jury, likely Wednesday, on the law governing the case and the factors it can take into account during deliberations. The deliberations will then proceed in secret, though some clues as to the jury’s thinking may arrive through any notes it sends to the judge with questions.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, charges punishable by up to four years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. It’s unclear whether prosecutors would seek imprisonment in the event of a conviction, or if the judge would impose that punishment if asked.

The case centers on a $130,000 payment Cohen made to porn actor Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 election to prevent her from going public with her story of a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump 10 years earlier in a Lake Tahoe hotel suite. Trump has denied Daniels’ account, and his attorney, during hours of questioning in the trial, accused her of making it up.

When Trump reimbursed Cohen, the payments were logged as being for legal services, which prosecutors say was designed to conceal the true purpose of the transaction with Daniels and to illegally interfere in the 2016 election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump’s lawyers contend they were legitimate payments for actual legal services, and they say that his celebrity status, particularly during the campaign, made him a target for extortion, points they are expected to revisit during their closing arguments Tuesday.

The nearly two dozen witnesses included Daniels, who described in sometimes vivid detail the encounter she says she had with Trump; David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, who testified that he used his media enterprise to protect Trump by squelching stories that could harm his campaign, including by paying $150,000 to a former Playboy model to keep her from going public with a claim that she had had a yearlong affair with Trump; and Cohen, who testified that Trump was intimately involved in the hush money discussions — “Just pay it,” the now-disbarred lawyer quoted Trump as saying.

(AP).

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The tranquil New Jersey shore town of Wildwood faced an unprecedented disruption over Memorial Day Weekend when a large group of “unruly, undisciplined” teens took over the popular boardwalk, prompting local officials to close it for several hours early Sunday morning, according to a report on Monday in The New York Post. This decision was made following an overwhelming number of complaints and reports of civil unrest, highlighting the challenges that local authorities face in maintaining order during peak tourist seasons.

The Wildwood boardwalk, a beloved attraction for both residents and visitors, was abruptly closed just past midnight as police responded to an “irrepressible number” of complaints. Authorities described an “extremely large number of young adults & juveniles” who had descended on the boardwalk, causing significant disturbances, according to the information provided in The Post report. Despite a heavy police presence bolstered by multiple mutual aid law enforcement agencies, the situation continued to deteriorate, forcing the closure.

City officials did not specify a particular incident that triggered the shutdown, instead pointing to a general state of “civil unrest.” The report in The Post indicated that this term, while broad, encompassed the various forms of disorderly conduct observed by the police, which overwhelmed their capacity to manage the crowd.

Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. took a firm stance on the situation, declaring a “state of emergency” to address the chaos. This declaration enabled the city to deploy an unusually large police presence to restore order. The Post also reported that iIn his statement, Mayor Troiano blamed the disorder on “unruly, undisciplined, unparented children,” and criticized state laws that he claimed restricted police actions.

“Wildwood will not tolerate unruly, undisciplined, unparented children nor will we stand by while the laws of the state tie the hands of the police,” Troiano asserted, as per The Post report. His remarks reflect a frustration with perceived limitations on law enforcement’s ability to maintain public order and ensure the safety of all visitors.

Memorial Day Weekend traditionally marks the unofficial start of the summer season, attracting large crowds to shore towns such as Wildwood, the report added. This influx can strain local resources and pose significant challenges for maintaining public order. The incident in Wildwood calls attention to the delicate balance that must be struck between welcoming visitors and ensuring that public spaces remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Over the holiday weekend, The Jewish Voice reported that the serene ambiance of New Jersey’s Ocean City boardwalk was shattered on Saturday night as a 15-year-old boy became the victim of a violent stabbing. According to a report on Sunday in The New York Post, the incident, which took place during the busy Memorial Day weekend, left beachgoers in a state of panic, transforming what should have been a tranquil holiday setting into a scene reminiscent of a horror film.

The attack occurred just after 9 p.m. on the boardwalk, specifically between Ninth and 10th streets. According to the Ocean City Police Department, the stabbing was the culmination of a physical altercation that had broken out. However, The Post report indicated that the details surrounding the cause of the fight and the identity of the assailant remain unclear as the investigation continues.

Witnesses described the immediate aftermath as chaotic. Video footage obtained by NBC 10 captures the pandemonium, showing large crowds fleeing the area while first responders hurriedly made their way to the scene, as per the information provided in The Post report.

By: Ian Hatchett – Breitbart.com

During an interview with RUSA Radio on Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) stated that “we have normalized anti-Semitism” in a way that wouldn’t be tolerated if it was directed towards another group and there’s been “acceptance even in some of our major media” and an attempt to downplay campus anti-Semitism.

Adams said, “We’re witnessing a rise in hate across the globe in general, but specifically, after October 7, we witnessed a sharp increase in anti-Semitism, and we’re clear that New York City has no room for hate. If there’s anti-Semitism, anti-Sikhism, Islamophobia, anti-African Americans, no matter what the group, we must remain consistent.”

He continued, “What troubles me the most is that we have normalized anti-Semitism. We would not tolerate any other group being called for the destruction of that group or using very hateful terminologies [for] that group. We would not stand for that. And I’m seeing a normalization of anti-Semitism in New York, as well as across the globe, particularly through social media, and I think there’s a level of tolerance. [There] has been acceptance even in some of our major media to attempt not to point out that what happened on our college campuses is not anti-Semitism. I don’t know how you could define it as not. And I think that’s really a precursor for the anti-Americanism. There’s a radicalization of our children, where [they’re] being taught to hate America and hate those of Jewish faith as well, and we need to stop that.”

In other news related to the New York City mayor, Matthew Xiao of the Washington Free Beacon reported that a hotel developer and fundraiser for Mayor Adams bought her way into the mayor’s inner circle and scored lucrative favors from the Adams administration, according to a Guardian report on Thursday.

Weihong Hu received contract favors that boosted her businesses and earned her millions of dollars after she allegedly made illegal donations to Adams’s reelection campaign in 2021 and provided benefits to several longtime associates of the Democratic mayor, the Guardian reported.

Government records show the Adams administration awarded Hu an additional $6.2 million annually by renewing her shelter contract in Queens four times, while a second contract approved by the administration granted $6.3 million per year to another of Hu’s hotels in New York City.

The administration also allegedly helped drop the safety citations against Hu’s construction projects on two separate occasions, and in late 2022 freed Hu of a stop-work order on one of her hotels, the outlet noted.

Hu had allowed Winnie Greco, one of Adams’s top aides, to stay at one of her hotels for about eight months in a taxpayer-funded suite intended for housing formerly incarcerated New Yorkers. Greco’s stay likely cost the city at least $50,000, according to the outlet’s review of the hotel invoices.

The mayor’s son, Jordan Coleman, also visited the hotel with a young woman at least once and used one of the taxpayer-funded rooms, although it is not clear whether Coleman or the woman stayed the night.

In addition, Hu worked with and reportedly paid John Sampson, a friend of the mayor who had been sentenced to prison in 2017.

(Breitbart.com & FreeBeacon.com)

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The quaint coastal town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, has been thrust into the spotlight over a longstanding tradition that restricts access to its private beach on Sunday mornings. According to a report that appeared in The New York Post on Wednesday, this change comes after the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a Christian organization that owns the picturesque beach, agreed to open its gates or face substantial fines. This decision, however, has sparked a significant dispute over property rights and religious freedom, the Post report added.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has a long-standing tradition of closing its beach on Sunday mornings. For 155 years, this practice has been a core pillar of the community, deeply rooted in the organization’s religious beliefs and values. Known as “God’s Square Mile at the Jersey Shore,” it was founded by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association as a Methodist retreat in 1869, the Post reported. The area currently centers its activities around The Great Auditorium, a massive hall surrounded by tents occupied by pilgrims who come to worship. This tradition of closing the beach has been a core pillar of the community, emphasizing its commitment to religious principles.

The closure of the beach during Sunday mornings was intended to honor God and provide a serene environment for religious observance. This practice, deeply rooted in the town’s Christian heritage, is now being challenged by local residents who argue that it discriminates against non-Christians and other marginalized groups.

Recently, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) ordered the association to open its privately owned beach on Sunday mornings. Failure to comply with this directive would result in fines of up to $25,000 per day. The report in The Post indicated that the NJDEP’s order is based on broader public access mandates, reflecting the state’s commitment to ensuring that beaches and other natural resources are available to all residents and visitors.

The association, while complying with the NJDEP’s order, has made it clear that it will not abandon its quest to protect its religious and property rights. In a statement to The Post, the organization emphasized its commitment to preserving the tradition of honoring God on Sunday mornings. “For 155 years we have closed our beach on Sunday mornings to honor God — a core pillar of this community since the founding of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association,” the statement read.

The dispute began when some locals defied the association’s decree and complained about the beach’s closure on Sunday mornings. In response, the DEP ordered on October 12 that the beach must be open on Sunday mornings, citing New Jersey’s beach access laws, the report added. These laws mandate that beaches must be accessible to the public without unreasonable restrictions.

In its defense, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association argued in court papers that the beach is open to the public for 365 days a year, with the exception of Sunday mornings, which constitutes only 0.5% of the time, as per the information provided in The Post report. The association called this arrangement “abundantly reasonable,” highlighting their compliance with public access laws for the overwhelming majority of the time.

However, the DEP ruled otherwise, stating that any barriers, including chains and padlocks, restricting public access to the beachfront must be removed.

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a significant political development, former President Donald Trump’s rally in the Bronx last week has been described as a critical wake-up call for President Biden and the Democratic Party. According to a report that appeared on Sunday in The New York Post, the rally, held on Thursday evening in the traditionally Democratic stronghold of the South Bronx, drew thousands of supporters, signaling potential challenges for the Democrats as they head into the fall election season.

Former New York Governor David Paterson, who also served as the state Democratic Party chairman, highlighted the importance of this event during an appearance on 77 WABC radio’s “The Cats Roundtable” show with host John Catsimatidis. As was reported by The Post, Paterson referenced a recent Siena College poll that indicates Trump is within striking distance of winning New York State, a scenario that would have been considered improbable just a few years ago.

“This is a wake-up call to the Democratic Party, who just seems to think that you can criticize what Trump did four years ago and that that will be enough,” Paterson stated, as was affirmed in The Post report. His remarks call attention to a growing concern within Democratic circles that merely focusing on Trump’s past actions may not suffice to galvanize voter support.

Paterson pointed out that the current political strategies employed by the Democrats—such as downplaying inflation concerns and relying on historical criticisms of Trump—are not effectively resonating with voters. “Or that you can try to claim that inflation isn’t as high as it is. All these little things that aren’t going to change people’s minds,” he added, according to The Post report. Paterson emphasized the need for a more proactive and engaging approach to address current issues facing the electorate.

The rally, which took place in Crotona Park, demonstrated Trump’s ability to mobilize significant support even in heavily Democratic areas. Paterson praised the rally as a “brilliant political move” and acknowledged its effectiveness in challenging the Democratic stronghold. “You can’t argue with it,” he said, as was noted in The Post report. He also recognized Trump’s strategic efforts to expand his base and appeal to a broader audience.

Reflecting on the 2020 presidential election, Paterson noted that Biden and the Democrats succeeded by allowing Trump to dominate the narrative with his defenses of his presidency during the pandemic. This time, however, the dynamics have shifted. “But now Biden has to publicly defend his record,” Paterson emphasized, suggesting that the current administration cannot rely solely on critiquing Trump but must also present a compelling defense of its own policies and achievements, as per The Post report.

Paterson warned that the upcoming election could see a reversal of the 2020 scenario, where Biden’s ability to effectively communicate his accomplishments and address voter concerns will be crucial. “We may have a situation that happens in reverse,” he speculated, as was suggested in the Post report. His remarks alluded to the potential for Trump to leverage current discontent and turn the tables on Biden and the Democrats.

The rally’s impact, coupled with polling data showing Trump’s competitive stance in New York, highlights the evolving political landscape and the necessity for the Democratic Party to adapt its strategies. As the election approaches, Biden and his team face the challenge of addressing pressing issues such as inflation, economic recovery, and public dissatisfaction.

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a recent interview, former Harvard University professor and renowned constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz expressed grave concerns about the rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments on college campuses across the United States, according to a report that appeared on Sunday in The New York Post. Speaking on 77 WABC’s “Cats Roundtable” radio show, Dershowitz drew a chilling comparison between current campus protests that are directed against Israel and the early days of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the report added. He warned of the potential long-term implications for American society.

“This is much like what happened in Germany in the early 1930s, when Nazi students blocked Jews from entering universities,” Dershowitz remarked, as was reported by The Post. He called attention to the alarming nature of these parallels, suggesting that the current climate on campuses could be a precursor to more severe consequences that are reminiscent of the atrocities of the 1940s.

Dershowitz’s comments were prompted by recent events at Harvard University’s graduation, where students staged a walkout and donned attire supportive of Hamas, a Iranian-backed terrorist organization that was responsible for the October 7th massacre in Israel , the Post report said. The United States and other countries have officially designated Hamas as a terror organization. These actions, according to Dershowitz, signify a disturbing trend among young Americans who may one day hold influential positions in society.

“What worries me is 10, 15 years from now, these Hitler Youth will be members of Congress, will be on the editorial board of the New York Times, will be owning media stations,” Dershowitz warned. According to the information provided in The Post report, he expressed his fear that these future leaders might replace the constitutional stability of the United States with what he described as “radical progressive anti-American craziness.”

As a long-standing critic of anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses, Dershowitz has consistently voiced his concern over the increasing acceptance of anti-Semitic rhetoric in academic institutions, the report in The Post said. To combat this, he announced his intention to launch a new initiative titled “Hurt a Jew, we sue you,” aimed at legally challenging acts of anti-Semitism.

Dershowitz’s initiative reflects his broader commitment to defending civil rights and combating discrimination. His proposed organization would likely serve as a legal recourse for victims of anti-Semitic incidents, reinforcing the importance of accountability and justice in curbing hate speech and violence.

The comparison to Nazi Germany is intended to emphasize the severity of the issue. By invoking the historical context of the 1930s, Dershowitz aims to highlight the dangers of allowing such ideologies to proliferate unchecked. His comments call for a more vigilant approach to addressing anti-Semitism while ensuring that universities remain bastions of diversity and inclusion rather than breeding grounds for hatred.

Dershowitz’s remarks also included a broader condemnation of campus agitators as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The Felix Frankfurter professor of law also spoke of the dangers presented by such individuals as James Carlson, a known anarchist and leader in the violent Columbia University protests, the Post report said.

James Carlson, also known by aliases Cody Carlson and Cody Tarlow, has been identified by police sources as a wealthy professional agitator. Carlson, who reportedly owns a multimillion-dollar home in Brooklyn, was implicated in the violent demonstrations at Columbia University.

By: Mario Mancini

Nile Taylor, the man accused of setting a fellow subway rider ablaze over the weekend, appeared in Manhattan court on Monday, where a judge set his bail at $250,000. Taylor, 49, showed a vacant grimace during the hearing as prosecutors unveiled his extensive criminal history, NY Post reported.

Taylor allegedly hurled a flaming can of alcohol at 23-year-old Petrit Alijaj on Saturday. This incident is just the latest in a series of crimes committed by Taylor, who has previously served prison time for gun possession and forgery, according to Manhattan Criminal Court records.

“This is a strong case,” Assistant District Attorney Aryan Ahmadian asserted to Judge Cori Weston. “The defendant was arrested shortly after the incident on Saturday afternoon, and he was in possession of multiple lighters and a bottle containing rubbing alcohol.”

During the chaotic attack, Taylor is said to have set the floor of a No. 1 train on fire by tossing the flaming liquid at Alijaj. The young man suffered severe burns to his face and chest as a result.

Taylor’s demeanor in court was notably blank, staring straight ahead or down at the floor during the proceedings. Judge Weston, considering Taylor’s criminal history and the nature of the charges, set bail at the requested $250,000 cash.

Taylor’s rap sheet includes a conviction for criminal possession of a loaded firearm and forgery, for which he served over two years in state prison. Additionally, Taylor is allegedly linked to another incident where he was caught on surveillance footage throwing cans of flammable liquid at a group of people at the West 28th Street subway on February 5. In that case, Taylor reportedly identified himself in the footage, and the investigation is ongoing, according to Ahmadian.

The subway attack on Alijaj occurred as he and his fiancée were riding a No. 1 train at the West Houston and Varick streets station at 2:45 p.m. Taylor allegedly threw the flaming liquid at Alijaj, igniting his shirt and causing burns to 30% of his body.

Taylor faces two assault charges and a menacing charge in connection with the subway fire attack. “Without warning…[He] attacked two strangers inside of that subway train by throwing the burning liquid onto them,” Ahmadian stated in court. “The burning liquid landed on the floor of the subway station, causing the floor to catch on fire.”

A homeless man residing at a Harlem shelter where Taylor recently stayed described him as a quiet loner with a potentially dangerous side. “He just sat and waited for meals. He wasn’t social. He just sat by himself,” said Stefan, a 61-year-old shelter resident. “Usually on the [meal] line you’ll say, ‘Hey, how was your day?’ or ‘Hey, did you read any good books lately?’ …. [But] he was just always quiet.”

Stefan speculated that Taylor’s quiet demeanor might mask a more sinister nature, noting, “The quiet ones — still waters run deep. You see the guy who’s quiet and nice — and he’s the guy that’s got 32 bodies buried.”

In addition to the assault and menacing charges, Taylor was also arraigned on a petit larceny charge for allegedly stealing an iPhone inside the subway station. Taylor’s lawyer, Gretchen Resser, did not make any statements in court aside from inquiring about the date of the next hearing, and she did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.

By: Hal C Clarke

A group of young Israeli basketball players whose hometowns were devastated by the October 7 Hamas attack recently reunited in New York to play against local teams. This heartfelt gathering was organized by the non-profit Project 24, which brought together 19 former members of the high school team HaPoel Eshkol for a series of games in the Empire State, NY Post reported.

The team, hailing from the Eshkol region, includes players from some of the hardest-hit kibbutzim such as Be-eri and Nir Oz. The attack led to the massacre of 1,200 people and the capture of 250 more, profoundly impacting the young athletes and their families. The players, now living in temporary housing and hotels, faced tremendous personal loss. Many lost family members and their homes, and some had relatives taken hostage by the terror group.

Guy Moses Auerbach, 19, the captain of HaPoel Eshkol, expressed the emotional significance of the reunion. “Each and every one of us evacuated from different places,” Auerbach said to dozens of spectators before a game against the Ramaz School, a Jewish high school on the Upper East Side. “All the team split up. We haven’t played at all this season.”

The intense match ended in a 45-to-45 tie, with students and others cheering from packed bleachers. The game was a moment of solace and connection for the team, who had not played together since the attack.

For Noam Or, the trip had a poignant significance. Held hostage for 50 days, he learned of his mother’s murder upon release and later discovered his father’s death. Despite his grief, Or found the trip deeply meaningful, allowing him to reconnect with his teammates and find some joy in their shared passion for basketball.

“Basketball has been my way of life,” said Auerbach, a center power forward. “It’s where I go when I want to be disconnected from the world and hang with friends and stuff like that.” He emphasized the importance of the sport in providing an escape and a sense of normalcy.

Project 24 sponsored the team’s ten-day trip, which began in Port Washington on May 15 and concluded in Manhattan on May 24. Throughout the trip, they played seven games and scrimmages against local public schools, Jewish schools, and at Jewish Community Centers. They also enjoyed a variety of activities, including attending a Knicks playoff game, a Yankees game, a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky, and seeing “The Lion King” on Broadway.

The experience provided the young men with a sense of normalcy and camaraderie amidst the aftermath of their shared tragedy. Moses Auerbach highlighted the importance of staying positive despite the challenges. “We are all from the same regional council,” he explained. “We all know people and lost people.”

Despite the pain and loss, the trip offered the players a chance to reconnect, bond over their love for basketball, and create new, positive memories. The reunion on the court was more than just about the game; it was a testament to their resilience.

By: Bob Otto

Grocery store owners in New York City are expressing outrage over the city’s decision to allow licensed fruit and vegetable vendors to set up shop in close proximity to their stores, claiming it severely impacts their businesses. The New York Post reports that some vendors are located less than 30 feet from grocery stores, leading to significant profit losses for the latter.

In Forest Hills, Queens, a fruit and vegetable stand has been placed a mere 25 feet from a Key Food supermarket on the north side of Queens Boulevard, between 71st Avenue and 71st Road. Nelson Eusebio, the political director of the National Supermarket Association, which represents 600 grocers including Key Food, C-Town, Associated, and Bravo, voiced his frustration. “They know they can pick off our customers,” Eusebio fumed to NY Post’s Carl Campanile.

The Key Food store features window displays promoting blueberries and asparagus, while the nearby vendor sells the same produce just steps away. This scenario exemplifies the tension between street vendors and grocery stores operating almost side-by-side.

According to the city Health Department, which oversees these vendors, there are about 500 licensed fruit and vegetable vendors across New York City. The program aims to provide fresh produce to areas that lack access to healthy food options. However, grocers argue that upscale neighborhoods like Forest Hills do not fit this description and that the competition is unfair, especially given the overhead costs grocery stores must cover, such as unionized labor, property expenses, and utility bills.

“This is a big burning issue,” Eusebio stated to the NY Post. “We’re not against the vendors making a living. But don’t put them next to any store. It’s gotten out of hand.”

John Catsimatidis, the owner of Gristedes supermarkets, echoed Eusebio’s sentiments, asserting that allowing vendors to set up so close to his stores “destroys our produce department.” He claimed that the current policies reflect a broader anti-business trend in New York City, contributing to decreased business, increased shoplifting, and the closure of many drugstores. “Maybe the grocery stores will close,” he told the NY Post

Both Eusebio and Catsimatidis expressed frustration with Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and the City Council for not addressing their concerns.

However, some residents see the vendors as a beneficial alternative. Paula, a 75-year-old retiree who frequents both the supermarket and the fruit stand, supports the vendors due to her limited income and the high cost of living in Forest Hills. “Key Food has everything, but prices are high. At the fruit stand, lemons are cheaper, broccoli is cheaper, tomatoes are cheaper, grapes are cheaper,” she noted. “Don’t blame the vendor. They’re looking to survive. These supermarkets make a lot of money. They’re selling a ton of products.”

On the other hand, Shawn, an office worker from Forest Hills, sided with the grocers, stating that the proximity of vendors to supermarkets constitutes unfair competition. “They’re taking business from the supermarket. They should give a percentage of the business to the supermarket,” he suggested.

Street vendors pay a $200 annual permit fee and between $300 to $500 to store their carts, though some leave their tables on the sidewalks around the clock. Matthew Shapiro, legal director of the Food Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center, argues that the competition, while real, is not unfair..

By: JNS & TJVNews.com

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told Jewish donors earlier this month that if elected in November, he would deport anti-Israel protesters on university campuses and defeat the “radical revolution” he said these demonstrations affiliated with.

According to Monday’s Washington Post account of the private fundraiser held in New York on May 14, quoting anonymous participants, the former president also affirmed Israel’s right to continue “its war on terror” while listing his achievements for Israel during his term in office.

Concerning the anti-Israel demonstrations and encampments roiling U.S. college campuses in the months since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, Trump said he would expel foreign students who participate in the protests.

“One thing I do is, any student that protests, I throw them out of the country. You know, there are a lot of foreign students. As soon as they hear that, they’re going to behave,” he reportedly said.

Trump also praised the New York City Police Department for clearing out the encampment at Columbia University, saying that other cities need to do the same: “It has to be stopped now,” he emphasized.

“Well, if you get me elected, and you should really be doing this, if you get me reelected, we’re going to set that movement back 25 or 30 years,” he said, according to donors at the event.

During the meeting, Trump said that he supported Israel’s right to continue its war to defeat Hamas in Gaza.

“But I’m one of the only people that says that now. And a lot of people don’t even know what Oct. 7 is,” he added.

The former president ticked off his accomplishments in the White House, including moving the U.S. embassy to the capital of Jerusalem and recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel.

He also warned that “Israel is losing its power” in Washington and specifically on Capitol Hill, calling it “incredible” and arguing that Israel needs his help.

Trump has stated similar sentiments before, NY Post reported:

“If you hate America, if you want to abolish Israel, if you sympathize with jihadists, then we don’t want you in our country, and you’re not going to be getting into our country,” Trump told the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas back in October.

“I will cancel the student visas of Hamas sympathizers on college campuses and all resident aliens who join in pro-Jihadists protests,” he went on. “Come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you.”

Trump also repeated his frustration at the fact that the majority of Jewish Americans vote for Democrats, including the current president, Joe Biden, who beat Trump in the last election.

“But how can a Jewish person vote for a Democrat, and Biden in particular—but forget Biden. They always let you down,” he said.

Karoline Leavitt, the campaign’s national press secretary, wrote to the Post in an email: “When President Trump is back in the Oval Office, Israel will once again be protected, Iran will go back to being broke, terrorists will be hunted down, and the bloodshed will end.”\

Meanwhile Meanwhile, Trump has publicly expressed some misgivings about the manner in which Israel has conducted the war against Hamas, contending that the US ally is “absolutely losing the PR war.”

NY Post noted, Trump said “every night, they’re releasing tapes of a building falling down. They shouldn’t be releasing tapes like that. They’re doing, that’s why they’re losing the PR war,” Trump vented.

          (JNS.org)

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The tranquil suburb of Monsey, New York, witnessed a sudden eruption of tensions as a small protest by Neturei Karta outside Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim, commonly known as Scheiner’s Shul, on Forshay Road escalated into a significant counter protest on Monday, as was reported by the Yeshiva World News web site, The initial demonstration by Neturei Karta, a controversial ultra-Orthodox Jewish group known for its staunch anti-Zionist stance, was met with overwhelming opposition from hundreds of local residents and supporters of Israel.

The catalyst for this confrontation was a special event held at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim, featuring Yehuda Alon, a shemitta farmer and veteran of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Alon was invited to share his harrowing first-hand account of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. YWN reported that the flyer promoting the event described it as “an eye-opening discussion” about “the silent war that is threatening the existence of Israel as we know it.” The event aimed to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the ongoing threats faced by Israel, particularly in light of recent violent escalations.

Neturei Karta’s decision to protest this event was rooted in their long-standing ideological opposition to the state of Israel. The group, whose name translates to “Guardians of the City,” believes that the establishment of the state of Israel is fundamentally at odds with Jewish law and prophecy, according to the YWN report. Their public demonstrations often align them with pro-Palestinian causes, and in this instance, their protest was seen as a direct affront to the victims of Hamas’s violence and their supporters.

The response to Neturei Karta’s protest was swift and vehement. Hundreds of counter protesters gathered, vocally condemning the reprehensible display of support for Hamas. As per the information provided in the YWN report, the counter protesters labeled Neturei Karta as “reshaim” (wicked) for their public pro-Hamas stance, accusing them of aligning with “baby-killer-kissers” and terror supporters.

The Neturei Karta group declared that “Judaism is a religion. Zionism is a transformation of internationalism.” They were jeered by the arriving crowds, who brought loud music and many Israeli flags. In addition, many more people arrived on the scene to express their identification with Israel.

The intense emotions stirred by this confrontation drew a significant law enforcement presence. Numerous local, county, and state police agencies were dispatched to manage the massive crowd, ensuring that the situation did not escalate into violence. The sheer scale of the counter protest highlighted the community’s strong support for Israel and their vehement rejection of any group that aligns themselves with their sworn enemies.

This incident in Monsey is a microcosm of the larger ideological and geopolitical conflicts that continue to shape the Middle East and influence Jewish communities worldwide. The fierce counter protest against Neturei Karta highlights the deep divisions within the Jewish community regarding the state of Israel and its policies. While the majority of Jewish communities worldwide express unwavering support for Israel, groups such as Neturei Karta remain vocal in their opposition, often finding themselves isolated and condemned by their peers.

The protest by Neturei Karta and the overwhelming counter protest in Monsey serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

By: Hadassa Kalatizadeh

E-bikes zigzaging around cars and zooming across sidewalks, are accused of making the streets a “nightmare” for residents.

E-bikes gained popularity during the pandemic, allowing food delivery riders (who were then considered “essential workers”) to make faster deliveries. The pandemic has thankfully ended, but the popularity of home deliveries has lingered on. As per a recent article in the NY Times, electronic bikes have also remained popular, for delivery drivers as well as commuters, but with increased traffic for both vehicles and pedestrians, many residents feel this has made the streets more dangerous. “In the last three years there’s been an enormous shift. The quality of life has gone down.” said Susan Simon, a NY resident since the 1970s. “The streets are very dangerous. “What used to be a wonderful walking city for tourists, for pedestrians, has become something of a nightmare,” Simon said.

She noted that e-bikes are faster and heavier than regular bikes, increasing the risk. In 2024, there have already been seven million ride rentals on electric Citi Bikes, per city data. Commuters and delivery drivers find e-bikes help get them places faster—which for delivery and food apps translates into more orders fulfilled. “People got to understand, we’re working,” says Elijah Orlandi, who makes Grubhub deliveries after his 9 to 5 job.

He concedes that “There are scenarios where people have the right to be upset,” admitting he has seen e-bikes “swerving in between cars and all that kind of stuff.” He claims though that the drivers are just trying to keep up with demand. “Sometimes you’ll be going somewhere and Grubhub will send you another order, and then no matter what you do, you’re going to be late,” said Orlandi. “So that’s why you’ll see a lot of people rushing.”

Zoey Laskaris, a researcher at CUNY, who together with Mustafa Hussein recently published a study that found that food delivery gig workers in NYC themselves face a high risk of injury and assault, says that to some extent New Yorkers are part of the culture to blame for the speeding e-bikes. “We’ve all created this scenario,” Laskaris said, “where there’s ‘on demand, I want things delivered.’”

In the Upper West Side, for instance, there are some 14,000 food delivery orders a day, by some counts. That is the neighborhood where Pamela Manasse was hit by an electric vehicle in 2022 and suffered a severe brain injury.

Manasse, together with Janet Schroeder, went on to found the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, which works to promote regulations for e-bike riders. Per the NY Times, the alliance is pushing a bill to ban e-bikes and other e-vehicles from parks and greenways. It also wants a requirement for e-bikes to be registered and riders licensed.

Schroeder said their organization includes 74 people who have been injured by e-bikes. In nearly all those cases the rider fled the scene immediately, she said. “It’s a free-for-all with no consequences whatsoever for the people on these bikes and mopeds,” Schroeder said.

The city’s bike lanes are crowded with over 70,000 delivery workers, says Meera Joshi, New York’s deputy mayor for operations. “We want to be accommodating to the convenience of technology and modern life,” she said, “but there’s no question we need to cut down on the Frogger feeling on our streets.”

By: Benyamin Davidsons

Shareholders of Vornado Realty Trust voiced their discontent at longtime CEO Steven Roth’s salary bonus.

As reported by Crain’s NY, on Thursday, over 40 percent of shareholders voted against Vornado doubling Roth’s salary to $19.7 million last year. The largely increased payday comes amid the New York-based commercial real estate giants’ falling earnings, which led it to cut dividend payments by 68 percent. Roth’s compensation was paid out mostly in shares and stock options, but there was also a $3.7 million cash bonus, which was meant to reward him for a project that won’t be complete for another eight years.

Roth, 82, founded Vornado in 1980. He is also co-founder and managing general partner of Interstate Properties, and chairman and chief executive officer of Alexander’s, which is a real estate investment trust that owns 7 properties in NYC.

Say-on-pay votes for CEOs have become mandatory for public companies since the financial crisis and they are non-binding. This year, shareholders in Russell 3000 companies voted approving most CEO pay packages with average support of 92%, according to consulting firm Semler Brossy. Only two CEO pay packages were rejected in 2024— both for energy companies. At Vornado’s annual meeting, Institutional Shareholder Services recommended investors vote against Roth’s pay increase, and 43% of shareholders voted against it.

Such a lack of support by shareholders has previously led to the need for assurances and tweaks to better align pay with performance. In 2012, former Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit was even fired after a majority of investors voted against his pay.

Vornado is known as Manhattan’s second-largest commercial landlord, owning and operating close to 20 million square feet of prime office properties. The company, which trades on the NY Stock exchange, saw its stock trade at $23.50 a share on Friday, which is two thirds below its pre-pandemic level. In its first quarter 2024 financial results announced in May, the company reported a net loss of $9,034,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The previous year’s quarter had seen net income attributable to common shareholders of $5,168,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, as per a company press release.

As per Crain’s, last year, when shareholders voted, just 23% of shareholders had voted against Roth’s pay. This year, in December, Vornado’s board awarded Roth a $2.2 million cash bonus — which was linked to redeveloping 350 Park Ave. into a supertall tower office tower for Ken Griffin’s hedge fund firm, Citadel. Construction on the 62-story project is not slated to begin until next year and is not expected to be completed until 2032.

Still, members of the board at Vornado’s compensation committee rewarded Roth and other top execs for “seeking and finding new opportunities.” Seemingly, investors didn’t appreciate the bonus, being that they sustained a heavy cut in the dividend payouts. “The optics of creating a new…bonus pool when earnings continue to decline doesn’t look good,” said Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Goldfarb when the payment was disclosed.

In a regulatory filing, Vornado said bonuses based on long-term development projects will not be made annually but “only be made on an episodic basis”. Institutional Shareholder Services noted that the bonuses awarded to Roth and others “do not appear to have been conditioned on pre-set forward-looking goals.” Vornado declined to comment.