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Report: Turkish terrorist traveled to Israel with official delegation

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(JNS) The Turkish terrorist who carried out an attack in Jerusalem this week, moderately injuring an Israeli policeman, was visiting the Jewish state as part of an official delegation organized by Ankara’s Ministry of Religion, the HaKol HaYehudi news outlet reported on Thursday.

Hassan Saklana, 34, an imam (Muslim prayer leader) from Urfa in southeastern Turkey, stabbed a Border Police officer outside the Old City’s Herod’s Gate on Tuesday after entering Israel through Jordan a day earlier, according to reports.

Urfa, a city of almost 600,000 people near the Syrian border once known as Edessa, is known as a hotbed of Islamic radicalism.

HaKol HaYehudi said Saklana left the delegation, which was staying at the New Capitol Hotel in eastern Jerusalem, and carried out his attack.

Ankara’s Ministry of Religion regularly sends official delegations to Israel as a way to establish a Turkish presence throughout the country’s capital, including in the Old City, the Temple Mount and the nearby Tomb of Samuel.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the future of such tours in the wake of the attack.

Turkey’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Ali Erbaş, in March called on Muslims to boycott Israeli products in solidarity with “our brothers and sisters” in Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces are fighting Hamas.

The top cleric also claimed that “grandchildren of Holocaust survivors are massacring Muslims” in Gaza and called on the entire Islamic world to unite against the Jewish state, according to Turkish media reports.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has shown extreme hostility to Israel since the Hamas-led massacre of Oct. 7 in which thousands of Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, wounded and kidnapped, with widespread atrocities documented.

Why is the pro-Palestinian encampment craze sweeping our colleges?

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An anti-Israel encampment at NYU. (Twitter Screenshot)

By Robert Spencer, Frontpage Magazine

Campus fads come and go, but we’ve come a long way from swallowing goldfish, stuffing as many people as possible into phone booths, and the ever-popular drinking until you pass out.

The latest craze among college kids is, as Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) indelibly put it, “living in a pup tent for Hamas.”

No sooner do cops clear out one encampment than another one springs up, and it looks as if they’re going to be with us for the rest of this semester and may even be revived once the universities reconvene next fall.

This is, however, not even close to being a spontaneous phenomenon. The groundwork for what we’re seeing now has been laid for years.

Not only is it not spontaneous, it’s clearly orchestrated from outside the colleges and universities where the encampments have sprung up.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged that “professionals” were involved in the Columbia University encampment.

Another sign that this isn’t exactly a grass-roots movement is the fact that a large number of the pro-Hamas protesters have identical tents.

Which well-heeled leftist bought them? We don’t know and may never know, but someone certainly appears to have done some buying in bulk.

Still, the movement needed foot soldiers. The cadres had to be recruited and indoctrinated.

That has been the work of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA), the professional organization of Middle East Studies professors at colleges and universities nationwide.

MESA, whose members dominate the Middle East Studies faculties of most colleges and universities in the United States, says that it is “a non-profit association that fosters the study of the Middle East, promotes high standards of scholarship and teaching, and encourages public understanding of the region and its peoples through programs, publications and services that enhance education, further intellectual exchange, recognize professional distinction, and defend academic freedom.”

That strikes all the right notes, but as you likely suspect, the reality is not so noble and high-minded.

MESA is a far-left, pro-jihad activist organization that is dedicated to providing an academic sheen to Marxist agitprop and Palestinian jihad propaganda.

To see what MESA busies itself with doing, scan the 25 items that are currently on the front page of the news section of the MESA website.

Two stories are pinned to the top of the page; one of them is actually on the side of genuine justice and human rights, decrying the Iranian Islamic regime’s dismissal of professors who supported the recent Woman, Life, Freedom protests in Iran.

The other pinned story, however, is entitled “Campus Climate Resources,” which gives the initial impression that it’s propaganda about the myth of human-caused climate change; it’s actually about the “climate” on campus regarding support for the Palestinian jihad against Israel.

MESA here offers an assortment of links to this article denouncing the alleged “repression of protest on campuses,” the alleged “targeting of Palestinian students in Israeli universities,” and the like.

One of these linked articles carries this headline: “MESA Board Joint Statement with CAF [MESA’s Committee on Academic Freedom] regarding the ongoing genocidal violence against the Palestinian people and their cultural heritage in Gaza.”

Trump is Better for Palestinians

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The first of Donald Trump’s four criminal trials will begin April 15, a Manhattan judge ruled Monday.
By Rich Berdan
President Joe Biden finds himself in the corner of the sandbox when the mainstream media calls him out for his dithering on the anti-Semitic demonstrations across universities in America by politically conflating Islamophobia on the same level. The escape hatch for Biden’s media friends to prop him up is a growing narrative that if you do not like Biden’s bungling policy in supporting both Israel and Gaza, then you will be aghast on what former President Donald Trump will do to inflict pain on the Palestinians if he is elected.
Let’s seriously look at the two leaders who have a track record as President on who will be best to solve the tinderbox in the Middle East. It is clear that there are two very different approaches by both presidents.
Trump had removed the ISIS caliphate threat, tightened the noose on Iran through sanctions that cut off weapons flowing to their terrorist proxies and significantly reduced Iranian regimes pursuit of nuclear weapons, he swiftly authorized 51 tomahawk missile strikes against Syrian and Russian military infrastructure in Syria for the use of chemical weapons, he cut off funding to the Palestinians for rewarding families of suicide terrorists and their unwillingness to recognize Israel, his first visit abroad was to Saudi Arabia to solidify relations with America, and he moved the embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Trump’s actions resulted in four Arab countries entering into an unprecedented economic and cultural relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. The former president did not waver on principle and was resolute in carrying a big stick to protect American interests while ensuring change took place in the Middle East that culminated in a relatively peaceful presidential term. Trump was not the warmonger that many touted and nor should American’s be manipulated into thinking he will be if elected again.
On the other hand, President Biden reversed much of the Trump foreign policy by reinstituting aid to the Palestinians that essentially propped up Hamas terrorists, he allowed for billions of dollars held up in foreign banks to be released to Iran along with removing Trump’s sanctions on Iranian oil to fund Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, he interfered in Israeli politics in an attempt to remove Prime Minister Netanyahu, shipping routes to the Suez Canal are threatened, he ruined strategic relations with Saudi Arabia, and overseen a complete mess of America’s withdraw from Afghanistan. Biden’s actions sent a sent a clear signal to Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran that America is weak under this president and now is the optimal time to move against Israel and the West.
Hamas now had the means and support from Iran to inflict a gruesome attack on Israel that has culminated in the poor people of Gaza suffering the consequences for their actions, and the rise of a disgusting, well funded, and orchestrated anti-Semitic
demonstrations throughout American campuses. Not only did Biden’s actions cause war to break out during his term, but mayhem on the home front not unlike the Nazi brownshirt youth persecuting Jews in Germany.
Regardless of who is running against Biden’s, his dismal leadership and miscalculated political decisions should essentially disqualify him from winning the general election. Throw in inflation and cost of living, an open border bringing in drugs killing Americans and potential terrorists, and billions of dollars being sent to Ukraine to fight a war of his own doing; and he should not even be considered as the Democrat presumptive nominee. Good for Republicans but at what cost to the country. Democrats still have a chance to throw him out before their convention.
Well, who would be better to lead peace in the Middle East and see the war between Israel and Hamas come to an end that leads to Israeli security and the rebuilding of Gaza? If any reasonable person seriously weighs the results of the past two administrations, it is not even close. The narrative by some in the media that Trump would be worse for the Palestinians living in Gaza than a vacillating Biden holds no water.
What would Trump do on day one? He would likely begin to telegraph his expectations prior to taking office in a similar manner to former president Ronald Reagan who made it clear to the Iranians that he would start bombing upon taking office if the American hostages were not released by Iran in 1980.
Conventional wisdom must be thrown out under Trump. Perhaps he will have a plan that leverages a Marine Strikeforce being sent into Gaza to rescue the hostages or see the belligerents take up a one-time offer that removes the terrorist threat without being annihilated, rebuild the Gaza Strip with Middle East countries lined up with oil revenues, and Saudi Arabia brought into the Abraham Accords while isolating Iran. Trump will provide Israel with the assurance to stand down and the loss of life in Gaza will cease.
One can only hope that this situation will be resolved before the election however under Biden, one should expect further conflict in the region. Trump’s hard negotiations is best for a Palestinian and Israeli future.

Netanyahu is facing the greatest challenge of his life

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Israel is preparing to escalate its military campaign against the Hamas organization in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Credit: AP

By Yaakiov Katz

He has been known as the “Teflon prime minister’ and the politician who seems to always find a way back from the clutches of defeat. And while Israel’s longest-serving prime minister has faced numerous challenges over the last 30 years since he catapulted to the top of the Likud list, none have been as dire as the situation Benjamin Netanyahu faces right now.

Yes, he has lost elections, but none of them had the potential to end with the establishment of a state commission of inquiry that would most definitely find him responsible for some of the failures that led to the October 7 Hamas massacre. Yes, he has faced tough decisions in the past, but none had the potential to bring down his government while he is at his weakest point in the polls, on trial for corruption charges, will soon need to take the stand himself, and is about to face street protests never seen before in Israel.

He has been through a lot, but nothing like this.

The dilemma he and the government face is not one to envy. One option is to make a deal (assuming it is even possible) with Hamas to save as many of the hostages as possible and, in exchange, postpone an offensive in Rafah, potentially losing the coalition at the same time. The other option is to find a way to prevent a hostage deal (assuming Hamas doesn’t reject it first) and enter Rafah, raising the ire of the public that wants to see the hostages return as well as the international community, which has already said it will not support such an operation.

While the coalition will remain intact in such a case, National Unity leaders Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot will quit the government, setting off a spark that will lead to unprecedented street protests against the government, making what we saw during the judicial reform look like child’s play. This, too, will be hard to overcome.

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Agreeing to the hostage deal will come at a steep price. It will include the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners and a suspension of the war for an extended period. Nevertheless, it is the right decision, it is the just decision, and it will bring Israel some closure that it desperately needs. While the world has moved on from October 7, Israelis have not. Every day, when they look at the pictures of the hostages it is a reminder of the gaping hole that is still open in their hearts.

On the other hand, not going into Rafah will keep Hamas strong and potentially in power in the Gaza Strip. According to IDF estimates, Hamas has approximately four or five battalions that are still standing in Rafah, amounting to about 15,000 armed men. This is in addition to the terrorist infrastructure it has there – command centers, arms caches, and, of course, the tunnels it operates along the border with Egypt, which until a few months ago were still bringing in advanced weaponry into the Strip.

Not damaging that infrastructure or eliminating those fighters almost definitely means that Hamas will remain in control of Gaza. It will have the weapons and the men enabling the terrorist organization to restore its control over the parts of Gaza that Israel will vacate, as seen recently in the north, where, after Israel pulled back its forces, Hamas returned and fired rockets.

Netanyahu is trying to keep it all together without letting either side down – his political base, which wants a continued offensive in Gaza and for the IDF to enter Rafah, and the public, which wants to see the hostages released – as well as the Americans, who want this war to be over. It is a hard balancing act that no one in his shoes has ever had to do because no prime minister had overseen such a disaster while on trial, tanking in the polls, and facing street protests for more than a year.

The one recent comparison would be to Ehud Olmert, who, in the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War, faced calls from reservists to resign and established a state commission of inquiry and then police investigations, which eventually forced him to step down. But Olmert was not indicted and not on trial while in office. On the other hand, what Olmert showed was the ability of a prime minister to remain in power even after a war that was viewed as a failure. He stayed on for another two and a half years.

That is why, despite everything that is happening, it would be a mistake to write off Netanyahu. It is hard now to see how he can overcome this struggle, but his political demise is not at all a done deal. With that said, there is no underestimating the challenges he now faces. The keys to his political future and his potential freedom lie in the hands of two people who cannot exactly be counted on – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, a pair for whom rational political thinking does not always apply. However, there is no reason to feel sorry for Netanyahu. He created this mess. He legitimized Ben-Gvir as a cabinet minister and a coalition partner. Yes, he would not have had a government without the former Kach rabble-rouser, but he was warned plenty of what to expect if he got into bed with him.

At the end, though, this should not really matter. Instead, what should matter is the future of the State of Israel, the resilience of its people, and the message that will be sent in both cases – if we, as a nation, prioritize the return of the hostages or if we do not and prioritize an operation in Rafah.

These are the kinds of decisions that showcase the ethical standard of a nation and will not only go down in history but also send a message that will resonate globally. As the son of a historian, Netanyahu, a history enthusiast himself, knows this. He knows that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are unlikely to take up more than a few paragraphs when this period of Israeli history is chronicled for the generations to come.

However, the choices he makes now possess the potential to create ripple effects throughout the military, Israeli society, and the broader Jewish community for decades to come. The responsibility rests squarely on his shoulders.

Brown University Caves to Anti-Israel Mob; First to Consider Divestment

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screenashot

Joel B. Pollak(Breitbart)

Brown University caved to radical anti-Israel demonstrators this week, promising that the university’s governing body would consider voting on divestment from Israel if the activists would dismantle their encampment on campus.

According to the Jerusalem Post, that makes Brown the first university to consider divestment from Israel.

In December, 41 anti-Israel activists were arrested after occupying an administration building. In April, activists took over an area of campus known as the Main Green, prompting concern from local Jewish leaders and clergy, who noted that some chants used by activists on and off campus were antisemitic, calling for the elimination of Israel.

Instead of enforcing university policies, Brown — like Northwestern University — decided to capitulate to the mob.

The Brown Daily Herald reported:

The Corporation, Brown’s highest governing body, will vote on divestment from companies affiliated with Israel at its October meeting following an agreement between encampment organizers and University administrators this afternoon. Organizers announced the agreement at a rally.

Organizers have agreed to clear the Main Green encampment by 5 p.m. today and not hold any unauthorized protests through Commencement, which ends May 26. Students in the encampment, which began last Wednesday, have been calling on the University to divest from companies with ties to the Israeli government and drop the charges against the 41 students arrested in a Dec. 11 University Hall sit-in. Charges against the 41 arrested students will not be dropped at this time.

…

Students will still face disciplinary proceedings for their involvement in the encampment, the agreement states.

While campus rabbis expressed relief that the encampment was being dismantled, other local Jewish groups reacted in alarm. Rabbi Ron Fish of the Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter accused Brown of “validating a movement rife with antisemitism and hate.” Noting that Brown had opposed divestment in the past, he said that Brown’s deal would simply create incentives for more radical protest and “antisemitic harassment” of Jews.

“This story is not yet over but this is a sad chapter and a dark day for Brown University,” he concluded.

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of the recent e-book, “The Zionist Conspiracy (and how to join it),” now available on Audible. He is also the author of the e-book, Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

 

Stanford Jewish students photograph anti-Israel protester wearing Hamas headband

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Man at Stanford University wears Hamas headgear (X screenshot)

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Two Jewish students at Stanford University took a picture of an anti-Israel protester wearing a Hamas headband outside of the demonstrators’ encampment.

The green headband with white Arabic letters is identical to those worn by Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.

As the photo went viral, the Jewish students spoke to Fox News Digital, but on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

“We were just in shock that somebody could be like that in the middle of our campus,” one of them said.

“I only went up to take the photo because I was there with my friend,” they continued.

“We thought about going up to him and saying something, but then we figured it wasn’t worth it and, if anything, it might just be dangerous,” they stated.

In a statement on Wednesday, Stanford University said, “We have received many expressions of concern about a photo circulating on social media of an individual on White Plaza who appeared to be wearing a green headband similar to those worn by members of Hamas.”

It continued, “We find this deeply disturbing, as Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the United States government. We have not been able to identify the individual but have forwarded the photo to the FBI.”

WATCH: NETANYAHU COMPARES CURRENT ANTISEMITIC COLLEGE MOBS TO NAZI GERMANY
Stanford, like many university campuses in the United States, has been hit with anti-Israel demonstrations and an encampment has been set up in the White Plaza located on campus.

Just days after Hamas invaded Israel, murdered 1,200 Israelis, kidnapped 250, and raped and tortured many others, Stanford University students hung bedsheets outside of their windows with signs expressing support for Hamas.

On the sheets were written the words “the illusion of Israel is burning,” and slogans urging Hamas to defeat Israel “by any means necessary.”

Columbia Student Groups Hold ‘Autonomous Rally’ Outside Campus, Project ‘Escalate for Gaza’ Message on Hamilton Hall

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Collin Anderson-FREE BEACON

The Columbia University student groups behind the “Gaza Solidarity” encampment held what they called an “autonomous rally” outside campus, where they projected the words “Escalate for Gaza” on the side of Hamilton Hall, the building protesters stormed and occupied earlier in the week.

“Palestine Organizers” from Columbia and City University of New York held a Wednesday night press conference outside of CUNY’s campus, where they shared their “experiences” from the police sweeps that occurred on both campuses roughly 24 hours prior.

Protesters then traveled a mile down Amsterdam Avenue to Columbia’s campus, where keffiyeh-clad individuals lit flares, waved Palestinian flags, and chanted “Gaza” and “free, free, free Palestine.” One attendee was filmed holding a sign that read, “Resistance by any means necessary.” Later on in the evening, protesters projected images onto the side of Columbia Hall, reading, “Escalate for Gaza,” “Israel bombs Columbia pays,” and “Columbia funds genocide.”

The demonstration shows that Columbia president Minouche Shafik’s battle with unauthorized student protesters is far from over, even after Shafik deployed New York City police to break up the “Gaza Solidarity” encampment and to remove those who seized and occupied Hamilton Hall.

The morning after Tuesday night’s sweep, Columbia University Apartheid Divest issued a statement pledging to come back “stronger, smarter, and better prepared to stand our ground” and to “continue building a student movement that will take back our campuses.”

“Our people arrested today will soon be free and ready to fight again with even greater insight into the oppressor’s tools and weaknesses,” the group wrote. Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine issued a similar statement, which called to continue “the struggle for Palestinian liberation.”

“The student intifada will live on,” the statement said.

Both groups were behind the “Gaza Solidarity” encampment that plagued the school for roughly two weeks. They were also behind the Wednesday night rally.

Columbia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The student groups had help in organizing the rally from Within Our Lifetime, the anti-Semitic activist organization based in New York City that was banned from Instagram over posts that lauded terrorism against Jews.

Within Our Lifetime promoted the rally on X, formerly Twitter, sharing a flyer with the event’s details under the caption “ALL OUT TONIGHT FOR CUNY & COLUMBIA.” Footage from the rally also shows Within Our Lifetime organizer and Harvard University graduate student Abdullah Akl leading chants.

During a Palestinian “Land Day” protest in New York City last month, Akl led a chant to “strike, strike Tel Aviv. Abu Obeida, our beloved.” Obeida, a Hamas terrorist, is the spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas military wing that led the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel.

Akl has also used his social media accounts to call for “intifada” against Jews, contend that “there is no state called Israel,” and encourage his followers to “teach your children that the Zionist entity is an enemy,” the Washington Free Beacon reported in January.

In addition to Akl, Columbia University Apartheid Divest has long collaborated with Within Our Lifetime’s founder, Nerdeen Kiswani.

Kiswani was one of three featured speakers at the infamous “Palestinian Resistance 101” event held on Columbia’s campus in March. Kiswani and other speakers routinely called for violence against Jews and praised Hamas and Hezbollah. At one point, Kiswani urged students to openly laud Oct. 7 and Palestinian “resistance,” even as she acknowledged that Hamas is “considered a terrorist organization.”

“Don’t acquiesce to the idea [of], well, ‘Oh, they’re considered a terrorist organization, so we shouldn’t talk about resistance,” Kiswani said. “We’re kind of like the test subjects or the guinea pigs. We’re going to put ourselves out on the line, and you know, if people are okay with it, then they’ll jump on it later.”

“We have the right to return home,” she said, “and we will get that right by any means necessary.”

Columbia banned Kiswani from campus over her participation in the event. Weeks later, however, she made it through the university gates to give a speech to student protesters in the Columbia encampment.

 

AUTO RACING: Formula One goes to Miami, NASCAR to Kansas

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AP

NASCAR CUP SERIES
AdventHealth 400

Site: Kansas City, Kansas.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 5:05 p.m., and qualifying, 5:50 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FS1).

Track: Kansas Speedway.

Race distance: 267 laps, 400.5 miles.

Last year: Denny Hamlin won after starting eighth.

Last race: Hamlin held off a hard-charging Kyle Larson over the final, thrilling laps and wiggled through lapped traffic to win by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover.

Fast facts: The victory was the third of this season for Hamlin, tying William Byron for the most this year, and fourth if you count the exhibition race in Los Angeles. … Hamlin led 136 of the 400 laps but remains just fourth in points, trailing Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports by 49, Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. by 18 and Hendrick’s Chase Elliott by 16. … Byron is sixth, 62 points behind Larson. … Larson was second, followed by Truex., Kyle Busch and Elliott. … Hendrick drivers (five) and Gibbs drivers (four) have won nine of 11 races thus far. Ford remains winless through 11 races.

 

Next race: May 12, Darlington, South Carolina.

 

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Last race: Ryan Truex won at Dover for the second straight year, giving the younger brother of Martin Truex Jr. the only NASCAR victories of his career. He now has two wins in 194 career starts over the three national series.

Next race: May 11, Darlington, South Carolina.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR TRUCK SERIES
Heart of America 200

Site: Kansas City, Kansas.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 12:05 p.m., qualifying, 12:35 p.m., and race, 8 p.m. (FS1).

Track: Kansas Speedway.

Race distance: 134 laps, 201 miles.

Last year: Grant Enfinger won after starting 11th.

Last race: Kyle Busch overcame a series of late restarts and led 112 of 167 laps to win for the sixth time in the truck series at Texas and the 20th time overall on the 1.5-mile layout.

 

Fast facts: Points leader Christian Eckes and non-title contender Kyle Busch are the lone multiple race winners through seven events. … Eckes leads Corey Heim by two points and Ty Majeski by 12 in the points race. … Heim is the only driver to have finished in the Top 10 in all seven races. He also leads with five top-five finishes.

Next race: May 10, Darlington, South Carolina.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE
Miami Grand Prix

Site: Miami Gardens, Florida.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sprint, 4 p.m., and qualifying, 4 p.m.; Sunday, race 4 p.m. (ESPN).

Track: Miami International Autodrome.

Race distance: 57 laps, 191.584 miles.

Last year: Max Verstappen won after starting ninth.

Last race: Verstappen, the three-time defending champion, started from pole for his fourth victory in five races this season and his 23rd in the last 27 extending through last season.

Fast facts: Verstappen has started on the pole in all five races this year. … He’s led 202 of the 219 laps he’s raced. … Carlos Sainz Jr. won the only race Verstappen didn’t.

Next race: May 19, Imola, Italy.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR
Last race: Scott McLaughlin won his second straight race at Barber Motorsports Park, giving Team Penske a much-needed triumph just days after IndyCar erased Josef Newgarden’s victory and disqualified McLaughlin from the season opener.

 

Next race: May 11, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING
Last event: Justin Ashley won in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan won in Funny Car in Concord.

Next event: May 19, Elwood, Illinois.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Next events: May 1, Jacksonville, Illinois; May 3 & 4, Rossburg, Ohio.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars

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This story deletes reference to Xfinity racing in Kansas.

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/AutoRacing

British Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Terror Charges for Showing Support for Hamas on Whatsapp

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West Yorkshire Police officer Mohammed Adil, 26, leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London, Thursday May 2, 2024, after he admitted two counts of publishing an image in support of Hamas, which is banned and designated a terror group in the U.K., the Independent Office for Police Conduct said. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

(AP) — A British police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to terror charges for showing support on social media for Hamas, which is designated a terror group and banned in the U.K.

West Yorkshire constable Mohammed Adil admitted sharing two images on WhatsApp supporting the group three weeks after Hamas and other Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7 and killed about 1,200 people and seized some 250 hostages.

Adil, 26, pleaded guilty in Westminster Magistrates’ Court to two counts of publishing an image in support of a proscribed organization in violation of the Terrorism Act.

In messages shared on WhatsApp stories with nearly 1,100 contacts, Adil posted images of a fighter wearing a Hamas headband, prosecutor Bridget Fitzpatrick said.

“Today is the time for the Palestinian people to rise, set their paths straight and establish an independent Palestinian state,” an Oct. 31 post said, apparently quoting the leader of Hamas’ military wing.

A second post on Nov. 4 was said to quote a Hamas military spokesperson.

Two other police officers who were concerned by the images reported Adil to superiors, Fitzpatrick said. He was arrested in November and has been suspended from the force.

“I accept that at the time of the offending you were of good character,” Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring told Adil, though he said he may impose a prison term when he is sentenced June 4.

Adil was released on bail.

‘Election Interference’: Bragg Case Gag Order Puts Unprecedented Limitations On Trump Campaign

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Former President Donald Trump stated that Jews who vote for Democrats “hate their own religion.” (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

By Henry Rodgers (Daily Caller) 

Allies close to former President Donald Trump are furious with the gag order imposed on him and his campaign by New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, telling the Daily Caller it is hamstringing his campaign like no other has been before.

On Tuesday, the start of week three of Trump’s Manhattan trial, Merchan held the 2024 Republican presidential nominee in contempt of court and issued a $9,000 fine for repeatedly violating a gag order. Merchan has also threatened jail time if Trump continues to violate the order.

Trump and his campaign have been barred from speaking about Matthew Colangelo, a lead prosecutor in the case who spent two years serving in the Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) as acting associate attorney general. After working near the top of the DOJ under Attorney General Merrick Garland, Colangelo joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as senior counsel in December 2022.

Many have raised questions about Colangelo’s move from DOJ to work in the Manhattan DA’s office at the same time District Attorney Alvin Bragg was investigating Trump for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. (RELATED: Meet The Former Biden DOJ Official Who Jumped Ship To Prosecute Trump)

Bragg, who ran for office on convicting Trump as Manhattan District Attorney, indicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records, all of which the former president plead not guilty to.

Trump and his campaign are also not allowed to speak about his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, or the jury. Cohen, who is a key witness in the case, has come under fire for discussing the case on TikTok while raising money for himself.

These limitations apply to the entire campaign, tying the hands of the Trump political operation to fight back on a critical issue in the presidential race, one source familiar with the situation told the Caller.

“The gag order says it applies to the president himself, and then it prevents him from instructing or ordering anybody else to do it. So, legally, that basically applies to anybody who works for him. And since he is considered basically the chairman of the campaign or the top dog on the campaign, the campaign applies to everybody who is on campaign staff.”

The source also said they know Democrats are watching Trump’s every move, including his social media posts and campaign website, and described the gag order as “probably the most explicit example of campaign interference, where you’re actually telling your campaign … what they can and can’t say.”

“The Democrats are following very closely, whatever is said on TRUTH social, whatever is posted on the campaign website, and then it’s immediately getting filtered up to Alvin Bragg who has very easy channels of communication, which are pretty firmly established between the Democrats and in his office,” the source familiar said.

The restrictions are unlike any placed on a presidential campaign before in American history and put Trump on the back foot, Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, told the Daily Caller.

“This unconstitutional and un-American gag order is yet another weapon used by Biden and his henchmen to silence his chief political rival, President Trump. Michael Cohen and others can go make money trashing Trump, yet he can’t respond due to this illegal gag order,” Davis said. “So as a result, all of Trump’s opposition can run roughshod over him without worrying about what Trump will say to counter their arguments. This gag order sets a dangerous precedent moving forward.”

The source familiar echoed that sentiment, stating the order “greatly prohibits” the ability of the campaign to fight back.

“The campaign can’t go out there and defend him from those attacks. The campaign can talk about the case, sure, but they can’t respond to the direct attacks against him, which is totally outrageous,” they said. “So it does not only violate the president’s First Amendment rights, but it’s a direct assault on the campaign and their ability to fight this trial in the middle of the election.”

The source familiar added that the gag order should embolden Trump’s supporters and allies who are not tied to the campaign to stand up for him, since Trump and his campaign legally cannot.

 

Garrett Ventry, a Republican strategist, said Democrats cannot beat Trump at the polls so they are now interfering with the election instead. He also mentioned that Merchan donated to Biden, and that Bragg campaigned on putting Trump in jail.

“Judge Merchan’s gag order against President Trump is wildly unconstitutional and it is the peak of election interference. The entire campaign they’re running against President Trump has been lawfare. They can’t beat him at the polls,” Ventry said. “Joe Biden’s numbers are tanking and we’re even seeing collusion, with the former number three at Joe Biden’s DOJ being one of the prosecutors on this case in the Manhattan DA’s office.”

“Think about this, too. Alvin Bragg ran his entire entire campaign on putting Donald Trump in jail even before these charges ever happened. So you have an unfair prosecutor, you have a Democrat judge who donated to Joe Biden, you have a pretty much Democrat jury pool all going after President Trump. People who hate him,” he continued. “He can’t expect a fair trial now and now he’s not even allowed to and his campaign is not even allowed to speak back and fight out against the Democrat law fair.” (RELATED: Prosecutor Paints Trump Manhattan Case As ‘Election Conspiracy’ During Opening Statement)

The source familiar with the situation explained that a key part of the gag order is on the “potential participation” of witnesses, because it’s unclear to the campaign if and when certain witnesses will be called.

Another source told the Caller that it’s “a pretty firm bet” that Cohen is going to be called as a witness, saying “he’s the only ‘eyewitness’ to this entire case. Without him, they don’t have a case.”

 

“Judge Merchan’s unconstitutional gag order is an egregious violation of President Trump’s First Amendment rights and a direct assault on our campaign in the middle of the election. Unfortunately for Joe Biden and his corrupt Democrat cronies, their unprecedented weaponization of our government is backfiring, Americans see the truth about this sham show trial, and President Trump will ultimately win on November 5th,” Karoline Leavitt, National Press Secretary for the Trump campaign, told the Caller in regards to the gag order.

 

Ventry also said that Republicans in Congress “need to step up” and “use every tool and measure they have” to defend Trump and hold these “rogue judges and prosecutors accountable for blatant election interference and an unconstitutional gag order.”

House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan sent a letter Tuesday to Attorney General Merrick Garland, regarding Colangelo, requesting documents and communications from Colangelo’s tenure at the Biden DOJ.

The Caller obtained a copy of the letter before it was sent. Jordan demanded a number of personnel files related to Colangelo’s hiring, employment and termination at the DOJ, a number of documents and communications from January 2021 to December 2022, and documents and communications related to Trump or his organization.

NYU: Over half arrested for anti-Israel riots not tied to school

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Plywood walls erected outside Gould Plaza on the campus of New York University after pro-Palestinian protests, April 23, 2024. Credit: quiggyt4/Shutterstock.
(JNS) Less than half of the pro-Hamas protesters arrested at New York University last week after refusing to vacate the campus were members of the academic institution, the university said on Wednesday.’

Of the 133 protesters arrested on April 22 at Gould Plaza on campus, 65 were students, faculty or other employees of NYU, located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood on the west side of lower Manhattan. It is the largest private university in the United States by enrollment.

“I never thought that as president I would need to rely on the NYPD to secure the safety of our community,” President Linda G. Mills said in the statement.

Mills added that several buildings on campus had to be locked down that evening for security reasons.

At Columbia University in northern Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood, Hamas supporters who were not students or staff were involved in violent protests, according to the city’s mayor.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday, revealed that “outside agitators,” including one whose husband was convicted for terrorism, played a key role in the anti-Israel and antisemitic protests at Columbia.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said on Wednesday it was unclear how many of the 280 arrested at Columbia were outsiders.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner said at a news conference on Wednesday alongside Adams, that going through the names of those arrested to determine whether they are affiliated with the universities will “take time.”

Yom HaShoah Message

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Yom Hashoah. Bushko Oleksandr/Shutterstock.

Yom HaShoah Message

By:  Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg

I have taught Holocaust studies for most of my life on the high school and college level. When I discuss the Holocaust and God, I share many possible views. In truth, after having written numerous books on the subject I don’t have an answer. I cannot in good conscience believe that the Jewish people were punished, because if I believe that, then I would not be a Rabbi, and probably be an atheist. One and a half million priceless Jewish children were murdered. What was their sin? The answer I give myself and others is that mankind caused the Holocaust, not God. . It is the only answer I can live with.

Yet I just read Rabbi Avigdor Miller’s “Divine Defense of Hashem Madness In The Matter of the Holocaust ” and I remembered my father telling me the Shoa is predicted in the Chumash, the Tocha Hah. The Holocaust according to some occurred because of sinat chinum , hatred of each other This is now occurring in ISRAEL and AMERICA FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD TO SEE. .  The neo-Nazis and anti-Semites are having a field day watching Jew fight Jew. We are not only democrats and republicans, We are Americans. We are told that both temples were destroyed because of sinat chinum.  If someone attacks you with horrible comments, delete them, instead of having an ongoing tread of insults.

My students ask me “Can the Holocaust happen again?” My answer is a definite yes. A number of nuclear bombs thrown at Israel by its enemies would annihilate the Israeli population. One is naïve to believe that anti-Semitism does not exist throughout the world. If we have learned anything from the Shoah, it is that it is possible for a madman to arise who wants to annihilate the Jewish people. Never fool yourself into believing that you are safe anywhere. We must always be alert and fight against prejudice wherever it may exist. Jew-hatred is an obsession like no other.

Anti-Semitism simply won’t go away. Hamas is obsessed with murdering Jews and destroying Israel rather than building anything. Even a cursory examination of the cruel attacks on Oct. 7 reveals the obsessive nature of our foe’s implacable hatred. Please do not call this horrible war a Holocaust.   However, the ramification of this war is the same as the Holocaust.  Many will seek all their lives for survivors not knowing they are dead or alive. Iranian leadership in responding to criticisms of its program to acquire nuclear weapons, sounded much like Hitler when they proclaimed, “Israel must be wiped off the map!” and that the Holocaust is a “myth!”

What’s most amazing to me is that this war with Amalek continues—that the world is still so concerned with the fate of Israel and the small number of Jews in the world who do not even amount to a percentage of error when calculating the world’s population. The rhetoric is apocalyptic, even Biblical. Why care about Israel and the Jews? It must be a spiritual struggle of the generations. The Torah then has been proven to be incredibly wise in warning us never to forget or worse, to underestimate Amalek the anti-Semite—no matter how he may appear. I predict the college demonstrations on behalf of Hamas and against Jews and Israel on college campuses and other places will BECOME WORSE AND MORE WIDESPREAD, we must have JEWISH UNITY TO FIGHT THEM.

Courage Amidst Conflict: Maximillian Meyer’s Stand Against Anti-Semitism at Princeton University

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rinceton freshman Maximillian Meyer, 19, has been standing up against antisemitism on campus. Courtesy of Maximillian Meyer

Courage Amidst Conflict: Maximillian Meyer’s Stand Against Anti-Semitism at Princeton University

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

Amid the historic archways and tranquil courtyards of Princeton University, a concerning wave of anti-Semitism has unsettled the storied Ivy League institution, challenging its commitment to diversity and safety. According to recently published report in the New York Post, at the heart of this turbulence is Maximillian Meyer, a 19-year-old Jewish student who has become both a symbol of resistance against anti-Semitism and a target for his stance.

Maximillian Meyer’s ordeal began in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, when the normally peaceful campus climate shifted dramatically. Meyer recounts the shock of seeing Hezbollah flags—a symbol associated with the designated terrorist organization—on campus, an emblem he never expected would appear in such an esteemed academic setting, as was reported by the Post.  This event was a jarring signal to many Jewish students, including Meyer,  that the atmosphere at Princeton was changing.

Meyer’s personal challenges have been significant. He has faced physical confrontations, including being shoved by a student who supports terrorist ideologies. Furthermore, the Post report indicated that his  academic focus has been disrupted by the constant presence of anti-Semitic chants and terrorist imagery around campus, contributing to a sense of insecurity and alienation.

Despite these adversities, Meyer has been a vocal advocate for the Jewish community at Princeton. His efforts to rally his peers began quietly but grew in intensity as he organized groups to attend school council meetings, participate in counter-protests, and voice a pro-Israel stance, as was noted in the Post report.  Meyer articulated a message of unity and defiance, emphasizing that no amount of provocative chants could undermine the spirit or significance of the Jewish students at Princeton. This initial gathering marked a significant moment of mobilization, asserting a collective Jewish presence in the face of growing hostility.

These activities have not only highlighted the issues at hand but have also tested the bonds of friendship and alliance within the university.

The situation reached a critical point when Meyer learned of plans to establish a Columbia-esque encampment at Princeton. Viewing this as a potential escalation of the tensions already present, he issued a call to action, urging his fellow students to stand united in opposition to what he views as a spreading of harmful and divisive sentiments on campus, according to the information in the Post report.

As the day unfolded, Meyer was confronted with the harsh reality of anti-Semitic rhetoric permeating his campus—echoes of what had been happening at other universities, the report in the Post said. Chants calling for an “intifada revolution” and the display of terrorist imagery deeply disturbed him, signaling that what he had initially faced was not an isolated incident but part of a broader, more alarming trend. This escalation prompted Meyer and others to recognize the need for a more organized response to anti-Semitism at Princeton.

The establishment of the encampment became a turning point for Meyer and his peers. Initially, only a handful of students stood with him. However, as the situation intensified, more Jewish students joined, bolstered by Meyer’s leadership and resolve. Indicated in the Post report was that the numbers grew, reflecting a rising concern and a collective willingness to stand up against anti-Semitism. Meyer’s approach—directly naming and confronting anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric—resonated with many, helping to galvanize a stronger, more visible Jewish student movement.

Meyer’s strategy extended beyond protests and public demonstrations. When the Princeton University Student Government called for a last-minute vote to potentially condemn the arrests of campus demonstrators—a motion that worried some about possible extreme language—Meyer was prepared, as was revealed in the Post report. He organized a significant turnout at the meeting, ensuring that the voices of Jewish students were heard and considered. This show of force was crucial in influencing the discussion and ensuring that any statements made did not further exacerbate tensions or bias against the Jewish community.

The atmosphere at Princeton grew more charged when protesters occupied Clio Hall. In response, Meyer took a stand outside the building, using a megaphone to demand that the university enforce Title VI regulations, which protect individuals from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance, according to the information provided in the Post report. During this confrontation, the intensity of the situation became apparent when a protester physically shoved Meyer and screamed in his ear.

The situation reached a personal climax following an unsettling encounter with Professor Max Weiss. The Post reported that after Meyer publicly criticized a poem Weiss read at a pro-Palestinian demonstration as “anti-Semitic” and heckled him during a speech, Weiss approached Meyer in a manner that was caught on camera and described by Meyer as “unnerving.” The professor’s greeting, “Hi Maximillian, it’s lovely to meet you finally,” accompanied by a glaring look, highlighted the tense and confrontational atmosphere enveloping campus relations.

The situation intensified when Meyer was handed a copy of the poem “I Am You” by Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer. The poem, which Weiss has read multiple times at campus demonstrations, sharply criticizes the transformation of Jews from “victims” to “victimizers,” a narrative that deeply troubled Meyer, as per the Post report. With “Free Palestine” scrawled across the poem handed to him, Meyer interpreted this gesture as a threatening message, signaling that his outspoken stance would lead to continuous surveillance and opposition from certain segments of the campus community.

Being at the center of such a fervent debate has taken a significant toll on Meyer. He describes the impact of the ongoing campus demonstrations and the anti-Semitic undertones he perceives in them as “all-encompassing,” the Post report said. The stress and constant focus on these issues have profoundly affected his ability to concentrate on his studies, a sentiment that reveals the deeper personal struggles faced by student activists who challenge prevailing campus sentiments.

Meyer’s activism has reshaped his social landscape significantly. “When you speak up in the way that I am you quickly learn who your true friends are, and sometimes they come from the most unexpected of places,” Meyer shared with The Post. This experience has called attention to the complex interplay between personal convictions and social relationships, revealing the supportive—and sometimes surprising—networks that emerge during times of conflict.

As Meyer continues to navigate his challenging role as a spokesperson for Jewish students at Princeton, his experiences offer valuable lessons on the importance of resilience, advocacy, and the pursuit of dialogue in the face of adversity. Universities across the nation watching Princeton’s handling of these tensions may find themselves reassessing how they cultivate an environment of respect and understanding among a diverse student body. The story of Maximillian Meyer is a call to all stakeholders in educational institutions to strive for campuses where free speech is upheld, and all students can pursue their academic and personal growth without fear.

 

 

UNC Frat Brothers Protect American Flag in Display of Patriotism; Bill Ackman Kicks in $10K

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UNC Frat Brothers Protect American Flag in Display of Patriotism; Bill Ackman Kicks in $10K

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

In a remarkable display of collegiate patriotism and solidarity, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill recently witnessed an event that captured national attention and sparked a significant fundraising effort. Amid a series of intense anti-Israel protests on campus, a group of fraternity brothers from Pi Kappa Phi made headlines by protecting the American flag from being replaced with a Palestinian flag, according to a report on Thursday in the New York Post.  This act not only resonated with many across the nation but also led to a viral fundraising campaign to celebrate their actions.

During a protest at UNC-Chapel Hill, tensions escalated as demonstrators attempted to pull down the American flag—a symbol of national identity—and replace it with the Palestinian flag. The information provided in the Post report indicated that this was part of a broader wave of demonstrations across U.S. college campuses, where students have been vocal about urging their universities to cease support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The protests at UNC were just one instance of the nationwide unrest.

As the situation intensified, members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity intervened.  The demonstration quickly became intense, with protestors resorting to profane language, gestures, and even hurling debris toward the group defending the flag, the Post report detailed.  Led by freshman Jason Calderon, the fraternity brothers took a stand to prevent the American flag from being lowered, a symbolic gesture that Calderon described as ensuring that “the headline of this day” would not be “An American flag falls at UNC.”

The Post reported that amid this chaos, Dan Stompel and his fraternity brothers stood firm, a decision that came to symbolize more than just a defense of physical fabric but a stand for the ideals it represented.

Dan Stompel recounted the events to Fox News, emphasizing the camaraderie and alertness that pervaded among the group during the protest. “If stuff was flying in, we would say, ‘Heads up.’ We would cover each other. We would look out for other people… It was a beautiful moment,” Stompel explained, as was noted in the Post report.  His description paints a picture of a group bound by a collective duty to safeguard a symbol of their nation, illustrating a scene where each member was vigilant not only for their safety but for the safety of their peers.

Calderon expressed a profound connection to the historical sacrifices made for the freedoms and justice the American flag symbolizes. “So many Americans in history have fought for the ideals of justice and freedom that that flag represents, and who are we if we don’t take some water balloons and take some yelling and chaos to reap the benefits of what they’ve sown for American society,” Calderon noted, according to the Post report.

This moment of intervention quickly gained attention, highlighting the fraternity’s commitment to what they viewed as a defense of national symbols during a contentious protest.

The fraternity’s actions inspired a GoFundMe campaign aimed at throwing them “the party they deserve,” as a celebration of their patriotism, the Post report affirmed. The campaign quickly gained traction, raising an astonishing $400,000. Notably, the fundraiser attracted the support of prominent figures such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, who contributed $10,000, as per the Post report.  The description of the fundraiser praised the fraternity brothers as “glorious, Patriotic Americans who value good beer and great times,” calling attention to the festive and communal spirit intended for the event.

The overwhelming response to the fundraiser left the fraternity members touched and grateful. According to the organizers, the brothers were “overwhelmed” by the support from across the country, which validated their actions and reflected a widespread appreciation for their stand during the protest, as was explained in the Post report. The fraternity also noted that they had coordinated with other fraternities who participated in defending the flag, suggesting a broader coalition of support among the student body.

The confrontation culminated with the arrest of three dozen protesters by the police, shedding light on  the severity of the clash. Despite the adversity faced, the fraternity brothers’ actions were celebrated by many who viewed their act as a testament to patriotic values and civic responsibility. According to the Post report, Stompel’s reflection that there is “nothing more patriotic, nothing more genuine, nothing more inspiring” than their deed echoes a sentiment shared by many bystanders and supporters.

The event and its aftermath have elicited a range of responses from the public and notable figures alike. The information in the Post report noted that Sean Spicer, a former press secretary for President Trump, commented on social media platform X, praising the students’ actions as a restoration of faith in American youth, particularly in contrast to what he described as “anti-Semitic spoiled brats on college campuses.” This sentiment reflects a broader discourse concerning the state of American universities and the values they instill—or fail to instill—in their students.

Following the incident, university officials took additional measures to prevent similar occurrences by erecting barricades around the flagpole, the Post report said.

The fundraising campaign for the students who defended the flag not only exceeded financial expectations, raising a substantial sum to throw a celebratory event, but also highlighted a community’s solidarity and support for their actions. The Post also reported that social media reactions ranged from excitement about the planned celebration—one user anticipated that the party would be “epic”—to humorous exclusions, with one comment noting, “Hamas is definitely not invited!”

Expelled US Students Supporting Hamas to Be Granted Scholarships at Iranian University

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AP

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a striking gesture of international solidarity, Mohammad Moazzeni, the head of Shiraz University in Iran, has announced a significant initiative to offer scholarships to students in the United States and Europe who have been expelled due to their participation in pro-Hamas demonstrations, according to a report published on the Iranian news website known as PressTV.ir.  This announcement was made during a gathering of university students and professors in Shiraz, the capital city of the southern Iranian province of Fars.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions and widespread protests across various global campuses, where students have voiced strong opposition to what they perceive as Israeli aggression in Gaza. The report on the PressTV web site said that these protests have sometimes led to severe repercussions for the participants, including expulsions and threats of hindered future employment. Moazzeni’s offer is a direct response to these punitive measures against student activists and is framed as a critique of Western responses to the protests.

During his speech, Moazzeni condemned the actions of Western nations, particularly the treatment of student protesters by police forces, which he described as violent and autocratic. He suggested that such measures are indicative of a broader decline in what he termed “global arrogance,” as per the information provided in the PressTV report.  Moazzeni also linked the current events in Gaza and the global solidarity movements with them to the principles of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, which prominently advocated for the Palestinian cause.

Shiraz University’s scholarships are intended to provide an academic refuge for those students and professors who have faced disciplinary actions due to their activism. As was revealed in the PressTV report, Moazzeni expressed confidence that other educational institutions in Shiraz and across Fars Province would likely join in extending similar offers, thereby broadening the scope of support for expelled students.

This move by Shiraz University not only highlights the university’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also positions it as a center willing to challenge the norms of Western academic repercussions in political matters. The PressTV report noted that the scholarships may attract a range of international students and academics who are seeking to continue their education and professional lives in a supportive environment, particularly those who feel marginalized or penalized by their home institutions.

Students are vocally criticizing their institutions’ ties to companies that support what they describe as the “occupying regime’s war” on Gaza, the PressTV report suggested.  This movement has seen a dramatic increase in student-led protests, leading to a considerable number of academic disciplinary actions including arrests, suspensions, and expulsions.

The student protests are a reaction to the escalated military actions in Gaza that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 people since October of the previous year. The Washington-backed Israeli military operations in Gaza have drawn widespread international condemnation and have now become a major point of contention on college campuses, the PressTV report declared. These students are demanding that their universities sever relationships with any entities providing direct support to these military activities.

The response from universities to the protests has been varied but significant, with many institutions taking strict actions against participating students. In the past 10 days alone, hundreds of students have faced serious consequences including arrests and expulsions, highlighting the tension between student activism and institutional governance, PressTV said. These measures have sparked further debates about the freedom of speech and the role of educational institutions in political and ethical conflicts.

The protests also focus heavily on the role of the United States in the conflict. The U.S. government provides substantial military assistance to Israel, amounting to $3.8 billion annually. Additionally, recent developments have seen President Joe Biden signing a funding package that includes an extra $17 billion in support for Israel. This support has continued despite numerous calls at the United Nations for a ceasefire, which the U.S. has vetoed, further inflaming criticisms of U.S. policy both domestically and internationally.

 

 

Khamenei pushes back on Israel-Saudi normalization

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Let us always remember the words of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself. He has repeatedly said, “God willing, the cancer of the usurper Zionist regime will be eradicated at the hands of the Palestinian people and the Resistance forces throughout the region.” Photo Credit: X.com

(JNS)  Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke out on Wednesday against a renewed push towards normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, according to the AFP news agency.

“Some people think that by forcing neighboring countries to normalize their ties [with Israel] the problem will be solved. They are wrong,” the Iranian leader said.

 

Khamenei’s statement comes a day after reports that the Biden administration has renewed efforts to bring about a peace deal between the Saudi kingdom and the Jewish state as part of a broader push to bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The proposed normalization agreement would include a security pact with the United States, civilian nuclear assistance and diplomatic recognition of Israel—a transformative move for a region that long ostracized the Jewish state.

Recognition, though, would be contingent on Israel committing to a concrete plan, with a deadline, for the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far rejected.

With an eye on the U.S. political calendar, the Saudis want to move in the next couple of weeks, hoping to generate bipartisan support in the Senate before the November election. The New York Times reports that if Trump reclaims the presidency, the chances of Democrats in the Senate voting for a normalization deal could vanish.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel from Riyadh this week, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “to discuss efforts to achieve lasting peace and security through greater integration in the Middle East.”

Speaking at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center during his trip the Arab kingdom, Blinken told World Economic Forum President Borge Brende, “I think the single biggest, most effective rebuke to both Iran and Hamas would be Israel having normal relations with every country in this region and the realization of a Palestinian state.”

Speaking about Israel-Saudi normalization, he added “But then in order to move forward with normalization, two things will be required: calm in Gaza and a credible pathway to a Palestinian state. So to the extent we finish our work between us, then I think what’s been a hypothetical or a theoretical question suddenly becomes real. And people will have to make decisions.”

Israel’s Kan News reported last month that the Saudis had accused Iran of instigating the conflict in Gaza to undermine the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords.

 

At the time, a source in the royal family also said that Tehran promotes terrorism and suggested that Riyadh played a role in thwarting last month’s unprecedented drone and missile attack against Israel by the Islamic Republic and its proxies.

“We confront every suspicious object that enters Saudi airspace. This is a matter of sovereignty,” the source said.

The Israeli government is opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state given Ramallah’s support for terrorism, which could derail any chances for normalization. Recent polling shows a majority of Israelis are also against Palestinian statehood.

More than half of the Israeli public opposes the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a deal that would end the war against Hamas and normalize relations between Jerusalem and Riyadh, according to a January survey from the Israel Democracy Institute.

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