47.8 F
New York
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Home Blog Page 2

Columbia ‘Palestinian Resistance’ Event Violates YouTube Policy Against Promotion of Terrorism, Video Platform Says

0
(Screenshot))

Jessica Costescu- Free Beacon

YouTube removed a Washington Free Beacon video of a “Palestinian Resistance 101” event held at Columbia University, with the platform saying the video violates its policy that bars users from praising, promoting, or aiding terrorists.

The Sunday event, which was hosted by the student group Columbia University Apartheid Divest, featured terror-tied speakers who lauded violence against Jews. Charlotte Kates, a member of the Israeli-designated terror group Samidoun, praised Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack for showing “the potential of a future for Palestine liberated from Zionism,” while Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine activist Khaled Barakat lauded airplane hijackings.

The Free Beacon attended the event virtually and posted a highlight video on Monday. Two days later, on Wednesday, YouTube contacted the Free Beacon to say it removed the video for violating “our violent criminal organizations policy.”

“Content that intends to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations isn’t allowed on YouTube,” the email said.

“We know this might be disappointing, but it’s important to us that YouTube is a safe place for all.”

The decision could put pressure on Columbia to take action in the wake of the event, which was initially scheduled to take place at Barnard College, the university’s all-female undergraduate school. At the start of the event, however, student organizers said they were forced to “change rooms” at the last moment after a Ph.D. student lodged a complaint to the university.

The event was moved to Columbia’s “Q House,” an “LGBTQ+ special interest community at Columbia University,” according to an internal email obtained by the Free Beacon. A Columbia spokeswoman said the school “canceled the event, denying requests to use community space.”

“Despite this, the event organizers held the event in a residence with an online option,” the spokeswoman told the Free Beacon on Monday. “We are investigating this matter and will not tolerate violations of university policy.”

A Columbia faculty group, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, promoted the event in an Instagram post, which featured an image of a Palestinian boy throwing stones at an Israeli tank during the second intifada.

In addition to Kates and Barakat, the event featured Within Our Lifetime founder Nerdeen Kiswani, who addressed Columbia students in person. Kiswani, who has called for Israel to be “wiped off the map,” urged attendees to openly promote terrorist organizations and “talk about resistance.”

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

The Free Beacon published two recordings of the event to YouTube—one to an editor’s account, which YouTube removed, and one to the Free Beacon’s official account, which remains live.

Columbia declined to comment.

Netanyahu to US lawmakers: ‘No substitute for victory’

0
Netanyahu meets with the bipartisan delegation, March 27th, 2024. (Haim Zach/GPO)

By World Israel News Staff

There is no substitute to an Israeli victory over the Hamas terrorist organization, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a bipartisan delegation Wednesday, comparing Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas to the Allied war effort against Nazi Germany in World War II.

Prime Minister Netanyahu hosted a joint delegation of members of Congress and senior officials from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, following a meeting with Republican Senator Rick Scott.

The bipartisan delegation was organized by AIPAC, and was comprised of eight House Democrats and one Republican, including Brad Schneider (D-IL), Jim Costa (D-CA), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Norma Torres (D-CA) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

Along with Netanyahu, Israel was represented at the meeting by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and the Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Adviser Dr. Ophir Falk.

 

During the meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of Israel achieving victory in Gaza, which he defined through three goals: Destroying the military capabilities of Hamas, freeing the Israelis held captive in Gaza, and ensuring that Gaza never threatens Israel again.

“We have to win,” Netanyahu said. “There is no substitute for victory.”

“How do you do that? What we’ve set out at the outset, with the support of President Biden and the administration – important support, which we appreciate deeply – was to say, the first thing: Our goal is to destroy the military and governing capabilities of Hamas in Gaza,” drawing a parallel between the current war and the Second World War.

“Hamas has to be eliminated. Not as in idea. Nazism wasn’t destroyed as an idea in World War Two, but Nazis do not govern Germany. There are still neo-Nazis around, but you destroyed that organization.”

“The second thing was to get our hostages out. They are simultaneous goals, because the military action is what produces the pressure to release the hostages. We’ve released half. We intend to release all of them.”

“The third thing is to ensure that, indeed that Gaza doesn’t pose a threat to Israel again.”

PROBE FINDS NETANYAHU ‘PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE’ FOR DEADLY MERON DISASTER
A day earlier, Netanyahu met with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who issued a joint video statement with Netanyahu from the Prime Minister’s Office.

On Wednesday, Graham held a press conference in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, condemning claims by foreign leaders that Israel is using starvation as a weapon against Gaza, calling the claim “bullsh**.”

DCAS, NYPA, & WCS Celebrate Completion of Major Energy Upgrade at the Bronx Zoo

0
An ebony langur monkey perched on a tree

DCAS, NYPA, & WCS Celebrate Completion of Major Energy Upgrade at the Bronx Zoo

Upgrades reduce energy and maintenance costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Edited by: TJVNews.com

On Friday, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announced the completion of mechanical work to the heating system at the Bronx Zoo, marking a significant upgrade to the beloved zoo’s infrastructure. The upgrade to the zoo’s cogeneration power plant – which provides heat to several facilities across the campus – will reduce energy and maintenance costs by nearly $500,000 annually in city operations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,100 metric tons, and help future-proof the zoo for decades to come. Additional improvements, which will upgrade the lining of the zoo’s heating pipelines to extend the useful life of the existing infrastructure, are expected to be complete in winter 2025.]

– Newly installed control panels to monitor operations of the cogeneration plant

Some of the buildings at the Bronx Zoo supported by this heating system include JungleWorld, Congo Gorilla Forest, Carter Giraffe Building, World of Birds, Reptile House, Zoo Center, and various additional buildings across the zoo.

“Friday’s collaboration between DCAS, NYPA, and WCS marks a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability and conservation citywide,” said DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “The upgraded heating system at the Bronx Zoo not only enhances the comfort of staff, visitors, and wildlife, but is also a powerful example of how strategic partnerships can drive tangible environmental impact. This initiative not only reduces energy costs but also underscores our dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advancing New York’s environmental goals for a cleaner, greener future for all, including our furry, scaly, and feathery friends.”

“The Bronx Zoo, one of New York’s most-cherished institutions, continues to further its legacy of conservation and sustainability with a suite of energy efficient improvements,” said New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “The Power Authority and New York City have partnered on important energy efficiency projects for decades and these upgrades to the zoo’s cogeneration power system are the latest of those impactful efforts, significantly reducing the zoo’s carbon footprint and energy costs, while simultaneously improving overall system reliability.”

“I can’t stand the thought of giraffes, monkeys, and lizards enduring a New York winter without heat, so I applaud this partnership between The Bronx Zoo, DCAS, and the New York Power Authority to invest in the zoo’s heating systems,” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “The city is proud to partner with cultural institutions in all five boroughs to address their critical infrastructure needs that can often be more difficult to fundraise for than other high-profile projects. This is a great example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate to make sure New Yorkers have access to world-class cultural facilities, and that our non-human neighbors can keep their flippers warm all year long.”

The enhanced heating system, overseen by DCAS, is part of the agency’s citywide efforts to improve the city’s quality of energy, reduce costs, and increase electrical efficiency as well as reliability. At the Bronx Zoo, this new system’s impact includes slashing greenhouse gas emissions, approximately equal to the annual electricity use of 4,082 homes or the consumption of 6,834,330 pounds of coal (or 3,100 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions). Greenhouse gas emissions play a role in climate change and contribute indirectly to severe weather events such as flooding and air pollution.

– A Bronx Zoo Gibbon

Through partnerships with the Power Authority and the engineering- architecture firm Ramboll, DCAS is implementing a new $17 million heating system at the Bronx Zoo. This project helps create energy efficiency by replacing the cogeneration plant’s pumps, waste-heat recovery units, fluid coolers, and controls. NYPA has also installed an energy management system to oversee the plant as part of the project, and rehabilitated some of the zoo’s water infrastructure, ensuring reliable delivery of hot water from the cogeneration system to 13 of the zoo’s buildings.

The project advances environmental goals of New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act, and New York City’s Local Law 97, which calls for a 50 percent reduction in government operations carbon emissions by 2030.

The Bronx Zoo is a member of the Cultural Institutions Group, a group of 34 cultural organizations located on City-owned property administered by the Department of Cultural Affairs, which receive significant capital and operating support from the City to help meet basic security, maintenance, administration and energy costs. In return for this support, these institutions operate as publicly-owned facilities whose mandate is to provide cultural services accessible to all New Yorkers.

Two new fluid coolers to provide chilled water to the cogeneration plant installed as part of the upgrade

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.

Managing 55 public buildings.

Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.

Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.

Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.

Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

About NYPA 

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

 

Ron DeSantis Signs Bill That Takes Sledgehammer To Squatters’ Rights

0
Ron De Santris (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)

(Daily Caller) Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Wednesday to crack down on squatters taking over homes in the state.

TikToker recently went viral for telling illegal migrants how to use squatters’ rights to steal Americans’ homes, and there have been reports of squatters in states like New York. DeSantis said this new legislation will speed up and simplify the process to remove squatters from homes during a press conference on the bill in Orlando.

“We are putting an end to the squatters scam in Florida,” DeSantis said. “While other states are siding with the squatters, we are protecting property owners and punishing criminals looking to game the system.”

The previous judicial process could be lengthy, but HB 621 streamlines it, DeSantis said. It allows homeowners to ask a sheriff’s officer to remove squatters from their property and will go into effect on July 1, according to its summary.

“If you are the victim of squatting you can simply fill out a form, give it to your local sheriff and the sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally,” the governor said.

The bill also establishes three new crimes related to squatting, according to the summary.

Leonel Moreno, known by his social media username Leitooficial, posted a video instructing illegal migrants to take advantage of squatters’ rights laws and “invade” vacant properties in the United States earlier in March.

“I have thought about invading a house in the United States. I found out that there is a law that says that if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it,” Mereno said.

Authorities recently apprehended two fugitive squatters in Pennsylvania wanted for the death of a woman discovered in a duffel bag in a New York City apartment, the New York Post reported. New York City police believe they beat and killed a 52-year-old woman when she found them squatting in her late mother’s luxury apartment on March 15.

DeSantis’ press office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

New York Judge Denies Trump Request to File Motions

0
Former President Donald Trump faces a daunting $355 million civil fraud ruling that was handed down on Friday by a New York City judge. Credit: AP

By Catherine Yang- Epoch Times

New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan denied two motions from former President Donald Trump’s defense attorneys on March 26. They had requested permission to file new motions and for case documents and correspondence to be made public.

In one order, Justice Merchan pointed out that the filing of new motions is permitted, but only after a one-page pre-motion is submitted to the court and approved first. In the other, he pointed to a previous protective order he entered which requires some personal information in the case files to be redacted.

“The Court advises counsel that it expects and welcomes zealous advocacy and creative lawyering,” Justice Merchan wrote. “However, the Court also expects those advocates to demonstrate the proper respect and decorum that is owed to the courts and its judicial officers and to never forget that they are officers of the court. As such, counsel is expected to follow this Court’s orders.”

New Motions
Justice Merchan, who this week set an April 15 trial date, started the order by criticizing the defense’s attempts to “repeatedly” delay the trial. He noted that on March 7, the defense tried once again when they filed a motion to adjourn the trial based on presidential immunity.

“The motion was filed a mere two and a half weeks before the scheduled trial date,” Justice Merchan wrote. The next day, he issued an order prohibiting the filing of new motions without first obtaining permission from the court by filing a one-page “pre-motion letter.”

Defense attorneys had argued that the order was a violation of the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial because it could block the party from filing new motions. Justice Merchan explained the order was meant to “efficiently manage the case at bar” by giving the parties the necessary time to file “valid” arguments.

He pointed out he had “the inherent authority to exercise discretion in the management of its docket,” rejecting the Sixth Amendment argument as “without merit.”

“As of the date of this Order, no party has been denied the ability to file a motion,” Justice Merchan added.

He recapped exchanges between parties and the court after his March 8 order, criticizing the defense for prematurely attaching motions as “exhibits” to their pre-motion letter and warning the parties not to cross “the line between zealous advocacy and willful disregard of [the Court’s] orders.”

Public Case
Justice Merchan also denied the defense’s request to “unseal and docket all pleadings, orders, and substantive written communications that have involved the Court and the parties, including communications sent by letter and email” and require simultaneous public access of all such future documents.

He pointed out the need to have some information redacted in this case, which has prevented or delayed the public posting of some court documents. He also pushed back on the defense’s claims that the public is being “shielded” from any information that would normally be made available on a public docket.

“In fact, the Unified Court System has taken up the task of posting substantive pleadings, decisions and orders on the nycourts.gov website, a step, as far as this court is aware, which appears to be unique for a criminal matter in New York State Supreme Court — Criminal Term,” the judge wrote.

As of Feb. 15, the judge’s orders have been made public on the court website, a public information officer confirmed, though older correspondence is not available. A number of high profile cases have been given prominence on the public information page.
Justice Merchan added that the defense was free to attach communications they believe should be made public to court filings and noted the defense has done so.

On March 25, Justice Merchan held a contentious hearing where the defense accused the Manhattan district attorney of prosecutorial misconduct. The judge said the defense had brought no basis for this.

Justice Merchan said there was a “pattern” of the defense interpreting information differently than he reads it, and this has been going on for “several months” now.

The district attorney has charged President Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records, and the defense argued the prosecutors sought to prevent them from obtaining potentially exculpatory evidence.

Justice Merchan said he reviewed the hundreds of pages of evidence produced by both parties regarding these new allegations and found that what the defense claimed was not what he saw at all.

He found the prosecutors had gone “so far and beyond” their discovery obligations that it was “odd” and “disturbing” they had to take the time to hold such a hearing.

Justice Merchan had indicated before the hearing that the trial would begin on April 25, coinciding with a Supreme Court hearing in another one of President Trump’s criminal cases.

Defense attorneys argued for a further delay because the April 25 jury selection date would overlap with Passover and exclude observing Jews, and on the basis that they wanted to wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, which they have also raised as a defense in this case.

Justice Merchan responded by moving the trial date earlier, to April 15, adjourning the hearing.

President Trump told reporters hours later at a press conference that he did not believe the trial would take place next month, but that he was willing to testify because he “did nothing wrong.”

“I don’t know how you can have a trial like this in the middle of an election, a presidential election,“ he said. ”I think we’re going to get some court rulings.”

Gallup: Most Americans oppose Israeli actions against Hamas

0
Israel Defense Forces activity in the Gaza Strip, Feb. 28, 2024. Credit: IDF. Facebook Twitter Wh

The proportion of respondents who disapprove of IDF actions increased from 45% in November to 55% this month, while the share of Americans who explicitly back the military operation dropped from 50% to 36%.

About 9% of respondents in the most recent Gallup poll have no opinion on the IDF’s actions, up from 4% in November.

All three major U.S. political groupings have become less supportive of the war against Hamas, Gallup said on Wednesday, pointing to drops of 18 percentage points in approval among both Democrats and independents and a seven-point decline among Republican voters.

Gallup polled a representative sample of 1,016 American adults between March 1 and March 20. (The margin of error is ± 4 percentage points at a confidence level of 95%, according to the organization.)

Meanwhile, another survey of 2,111 Americans published by Harvard’s Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) and Harris Insights and Analytics this week found that a strong majority of U.S. voters support Israel in the conflict with Palestinian terrorist groups.

Asked whether they favor Israel or Hamas, 79% expressed support for the Jewish state, according to Harvard/Harris. In addition, two-thirds said they believe the IDF is trying to avoid harming civilians.

The poll also discovered that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enjoys greater// popularity among American voters than Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Israeli ground forces entered Gaza on Oct. 27 following weeks of airstrikes in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, in which terrorists murdered 1,200 people, wounded thousands more, and abducted more than 250 men, women and children, holding them captive in Gaza.

A book on faith, Judaism and defying Soviet rule

0
Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman. Credit: Chabad.org/Jewish TV.
By Phyllis Chesler

Reading this is a bit like reading Chaim Grade’s My Mother’s Sabbath Days. It is filled with chaimishe details, a veritable cholent of characters, an inspiring tale of religious Jewish heroes and heroines. Zaltzman is modest; he credits and names nearly everyone who made a difference—the rabbis, their wives and daughters—and especially, their hidden yeshivah students, most of whom became major Chabad rabbis both in Israel and the United States.

After escaping from Hitler’s clutches, these Jews survived, and miraculously, even flourished all throughout Stalin’s long reign of terror and beyond that, until 1971.

Of course: Stalin starved millions of non-Jews, purged millions more and terrorized an entire country. This is the story of how the Jewish people managed to survive this murderous and anti-Semitic totalitarian regime.

Chabad Jews risked torture, exile and death daily, hourly, in order to hide other religious Jews on the run and, even more importantly, to secretly teach Torah and Yiddishkeit to Jewish youth. To do so was forbidden by Joseph Stalin himself.

The Soviet regime considered religious Jews to be “enemies of the state,” “counter-revolutionaries,” traitors, rebels and heretics; they arrested, interrogated and punished them accordingly. Informers were everywhere.

In Samarkand, little Jewish children who were chosen as Torah pupils had to be able to keep secrets. They could not tell their parents where they were spending their time. Neighbors, even Jewish neighbors, especially Jewish neighbors, had to be kept in the dark. Who knew who would crack under torture? Who was already a paid KGB informant? Then there was this horror:

“A special bureau was created for the sole purpose of stamping out Judaism, the Yevreskaya Sektzia, or Yevsektzia for short. This bureau was staffed by young Jewish men and women who had dedicated their lives to fighting religion and harassing religious Jewish and closing down their institutions.”

I hesitate to draw an analogy to our times, but you are free to do so.

The Yevsektzia was known as the Jewish section of the Communist Party. Their members took the lead in the “propaganda war against Jewish religion from 1918 until the section was disbanded in 1930.” They were directly responsible for the torture, murder, imprisonment and exile to the Gulag of major Jewish rabbis and their followers.

According to R. Zaltzman, the cantor of Leningrad’s Grand Choral Synagogue was a known KGB informant. In 1968, he was Rabbi Yehuda Leib Levin’s (the official chief rabbi of the Soviet Union), “minder, sent to keep a close eye on Rabbi Levin’s movements. Even when Rabbi Levin went to New York for a private audience with the Rebbe (at 770 Eastern Parkway), he couldn’t leave his minder outside.”

I fear that I cannot properly convey the level of chesed, self-sacrifice and kindness that one Chabadnik showed another. Food from one’s own undernourished mouth was literally given away to starving others. Tzedakah was not only a mitzvah, it was also a joy and kept a growing community alive. They starved rather than eat non-kosher food. They went to extraordinary lengths to keep Shabbat, and they found extraordinary ways to hide their religious observances.

Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman
Book jacket of “The Jewish Underground of Samarkand: How Faith Defied Soviet Rule” by Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman. Source: Screenshot/Amazon.com.

These Jews of faith lived—and flourished—under the most primitive conditions. In one instance, a 10-foot room housed an adult couple, a newborn, and during learning hours, as many pupils as came to learn. There was no electricity, no heating; communal prayer had to be managed in secret; mikvah’s (Jewish ritual baths) had to be hidden under kitchen floors.

When no mikvah safely existed, frail and ancient Jews walked across fields of snow and ice for miles in order to immerse themselves in freezing rivers, usually before dawn.

One couple lived in a small home with a single bedroom, a kitchen and a dining room. “Still, my aunt and uncle provided for her every need as if she were a member of the family.” And who was she? A widow, abandoned by her son and daughter-in-law, and who stood at the entrance to the shul, shivering and begging.

Some Jews recited tehillim (“psalms”), by heart three times a day. Many took hours to recite the Shemah, focusing emotionally on each word, weeping as they recited prayers fervently, reverently.

Oh, I am a mighty sinner and can barely breathe the air at the altitude of their piety, charity and chesed, “deeds of human kindness.”

Persecution and danger were omnipresent. Beatings and arrests took place on the street and on trains. “It was not unusual to awake in the morning and discover the skeletal bodies of Jews strewn on the road or in the local hospital.”

 But miracles abounded. Here’s just one.

The author’s father was verbally and physically attacked as a “filthy Jew” on a train. He feared the end was in sight when all of a sudden a huge man (“a giant”) came to his rescue and threw the hoodlum out of the high-speed train. And then, the “giant” calmed my father down and whispered into his ear: “You should know that I am a ger tzedek—a convert.”

Chabad rabbis rarely committed anything to paper. When they absolutely had to do so, it was always in Russian and in code. Torah scholars and their wives knew how to “unpack” Torah-related allusions as only the most Mandarin academics can do today.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson—was referred to as Zaide, “grandfather,” and Chamah—Chabad’s organization in Samarkand—was called ‘Nechama.” Zaide wanted to know whether Aunt Nechama needed helpers.

We learn only a little about Chabad’s women. (The King’s Daughter remains within). What we do learn attests to their piety and commitment to do everything that they, as women, as wives, as mothers, could do to preserve the sanctity of Torah learning and the dignity of the revered rebbes.

Many Chabad wives waited for a decade to hear from or even about husbands who had been forced to flee or who had been sent to the gulag. They refused to consider a divorce.

These women viewed their separate roles as sacred and their duties as prayers. No, I could not have done so. I would have wanted to be in one of the secret yeshivot learning, learning, but would that have necessarily kept a community intact and Judaism flourishing?

Many continue to wrestle with this question to this very day.

British lawmakers call to halt arms sales to Israel

0
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London. Credit: Freepik.

Coming on the heels of Monday’s passage of a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding a freeze in fighting during Ramadan, which ends on April 9, the letter was addressed to Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

British defense exports to Israel totaled £42 million ($53 million) in 2022, according to Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.

MP Zarah Sultana, a far-left member of the Labour Party of Pakistani Muslim ancestry, coordinated the letter, which was signed by 107 MPs and 27 peers.

“With the Israeli government now seemingly disregarding the U.N. Security Council’s ceasefire resolution, it is again violating international law and making the case for an end to arms sales impossible to ignore,” Sultana said, as quoted by the Guardian.

“The U.K. government must finally uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, heed this call from 130 cross-party parliamentarians, and immediately end arms sales to Israel,” she continued.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on March 19 expressed his displeasure with Canada’s government over its announcement the previous day that it would halt arms sales to Israel.

“It’s regrettable that the Canadian government is taking a step that undermines Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas terrorists, who have committed terrible crimes against humanity and against innocent Israeli civilians, including the elderly, women, and children,” tweeted Katz.

“History will judge Canada’s current action harshly. Israel will continue to fight until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are returned home,” he added.

Canadian arms exports to Israel amounted to more than $15.4 million in 2022, according to Canadian government data. (The largest non-U.S. export destination that year was Saudi Arabia, which received about $1.15 billion in military exports, or about 54% of the total value of all non-U.S. Canadian military exports.)

Karine Jean-Pierre Melts Down, Hangs Up Shortly After Radio Host Asks If Biden Has ‘Dementia’

0
White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on July 30, 2021. Credit: Official White House Photo by Erin Scott.

Bradley Jaye(Breitbart)

Karine Jean-Pierre had a meltdown Tuesday after a North Carolina radio show host asked her if President Joe Biden has dementia.

“When I told a number of people that I was talking to you today — it was interesting, though — they all said, ‘Would you please just ask her, does the president have dementia?’” host Mark Garrison of WBT Charlotte told Jean-Pierre. “So before I move on from it, does he?”

“That, Mark, I can’t even believe you’re asking me this question,” an incredulous Jean-Pierre stammered. “That is [sic] incredibly offensive question to ask.”

“But you know people ask it,” Garrison insisted.

“Wait, oh, let me, no, no, no, no, no, you, Mark, you, you took, you’re taking us down this rabbit hole. Let me, uh, let me, let me be very clear about this.”

She continued:

For the past several years, the President’s physician has laid out very, in a comprehensive way, the President’s health. Uh, this is a president, if you watch him every day, if you really pay attention to his record and what he has done, you will see exactly how focused he’s been on the American people, how historic his actions has [sic] been. And so I’m not even going to truly, truly, uh, uh, really, you know, take, take the premise of your question. I think it is incredibly insulting, and, and so we can, you know, we can move on to the next question.

The host proceeded to mention high gas and grocery prices in North Carolina, asking, “How does Mr. Biden win votes when people don’t have as much disposable income?”

After a minute of campaign-speak blaming President Trump and Russia, Jean-Pierre claimed the problems were getting better before abruptly hanging up the phone, surprising the hosts.

“Those costs have gone down because of what this President has been able to do. And with that, thank you so much Mark, have an amazing, amazing day,” she said, and hung up.

“Wow, wow!” the two hosts exclaimed, noting that they had asked no out-of-bounds questions.

“I don’t understand the fragility of this person,” Garrison’s cohost said.

Bradley Jaye is a Capitol Hill Correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on X/Twitter at @BradleyAJaye.

 

From Neo-Nazi to Observant Jew: The Astonishing Transformation of Frank Meeink

0

From Neo-Nazi to Observant Jew: The Astonishing Transformation of Frank Meeink

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a remarkable tale of redemption and self-discovery, Frank Meeink, once a notorious neo-Nazi leader whose life served as partial inspiration for Edward Norton’s character in “American History X,” has unveiled an extraordinary twist in his journey: he is now an observant Jew, as was recently reported in the New York Post. This revelation comes after decades of intense anti-Semitic beliefs and violent actions aimed at fomenting racial hatred.

Meeink credits Keith Brookstein’s compassion with guiding him away from his virulent anti-semitism. Brookstein, who is Jewish, gave him a job despite his swastika tattoo and Meeink came to realize where his life had gone wrong.
Frank Meeink

Meeink’s story begins in the tumultuous landscape of the early 1990s when he emerged as a leader of a violent ultra-right group. His ideology was steeped in hatred, with a fervent belief that Jews were the root of all evil, culminating in the flaunting of a flaming swastika tattooed prominently on his neck, according to the information provided in the Post report. His mission was clear: to incite a race war, and he was not hesitant to resort to torture against perceived enemies.

Reflecting on his past, Meeink acknowledges the profound depths of his anti-Semitic convictions, once vehemently railing against what he termed the “Zionist occupation government,” as was revealed in the Post report. His transformation seemed implausible, considering the depths of his hatred and the violence he perpetrated in the name of his cause.

The portrayal of Derek Vinyard in “American History X,” a character partially inspired by Meeink’s journey, showcased the struggles of redemption, hinting at the possibility of change even in the most hardened hearts. Detailed in the Post report was that Derek’s transformation from a fervent neo-Nazi to a man grappling with the consequences of his past actions resonated with audiences, mirroring Meeink’s own trajectory toward redemption.

n “American History X,” Ed Norton’s Derek Vinyard commits crimes against black people, while Meeink was convicted of kidnapping and torturing an anti-fascist. But both men began roads to redemption in prison.
©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

However, the most astonishing chapter in Meeink’s narrative unfolds in recent years. Despite his efforts to leave behind his neo-Nazi past and make amends, a chance remark from a friend sparked an unexpected journey of self-discovery, as per the information contained in the report in the Post. Prompted by the comment that he “looked Jewish,” Meeink embarked on a journey to uncover the truth of his heritage.

In a twist of fate, Meeink’s quest for self-discovery led him to undergo a DNA test through 23andMe, a decision driven by a desire to validate the friend’s offhand remark. The results of the test produced a revelation that defied expectations: he had Jewish ancestry, the report in the Post indicated. For Meeink, this revelation was nothing short of a divine intervention, a “beautiful gift from God” that shattered the foundations of his previous identity, he told the Post.

In an interview with The Post, Meeink shared the profound impact of this discovery on his life. “I just wanted to see if it was true, I wanted to see if it was real,” he expressed, encapsulating the mix of curiosity and apprehension that accompanied his decision to take the test. The confirmation of his Jewish ancestry marked a pivotal moment in his journey, prompting a radical shift in his perception of self and identity, the Post report added.

Through interviews with those acquainted with Meeink’s journey, his story unfolds with depth and complexity, shedding light on the forces that shaped his past and the profound changes that define his present.

The revelation of Meeink’s Jewish ancestry, however small the proportion may be, carries significant weight in light of the Jewish tradition of matrilineal descent in determining if one is considered a halachic Jew. As the test revealed, Meeink’s lineage traces back to Elizabeth Zellman Rementer, his mother’s maternal great-great-grandmother, a discovery that holds profound implications for his identity, as detailed in the Post report. While not all Jewish scholars may adhere to the strict definition of matrilineal descent, many recognize its significance, a sentiment echoed by Meeink himself as he enthusiastically embraces his Judaism.

In interviews, Meeink’s commitment to his newfound faith is palpable. He describes a daily routine steeped in tradition, praying three times a day while donning the tallit and tefillin of observant Jews. His devotion extends beyond personal rituals to communal engagement, as he attends synagogue regularly and participates in Torah study classes three times a week, the Post report explained. Additionally, Meeink has adopted a kosher lifestyle, exemplifying a deep dedication to his religious practice.

Understanding the origins of Meeink’s tumultuous journey sheds light on the complexities of his transformation. Raised in an Irish-Catholic enclave in southwest Philadelphia, Meeink’s formative years were marked by adversity and turmoil, exacerbated by an abusive stepfather, according to the information in the Post report. Surrounded by black families, Meeink’s perceptions of race were shaped by fear and prejudice, sentiments reinforced by encounters with his neo-Nazi cousin and his skinhead associates.

Recalling his early encounters with the neo-Nazi movement, Meeink reflects on the allure of belonging and purpose that it offered. Meeting prominent figures such as David Duke and immersing himself in the ideology of white supremacy, Meeink found validation for his fears and grievances. “I grabbed onto this information that was being fed to me,” he recalls, according to the Post report, as he highlights the seductive power of extremist ideologies in providing a sense of identity and belonging.

By the age of 15, Meeink had already embarked on a path of radicalization, joining and subsequently being expelled from the Ku Klux Klan before forming his own group with his cousin, aptly named Strikeforce, as was revealed in the Post.  His involvement in the white supremacist movement was driven by a desire to amplify its reach and influence, fueled by a potent mix of fear, anger, and disillusionment.

 

Using the Bible as a tool to spread his message of hate, he drew parallels with Hamas terrorists who weaponize the Quran, highlighting the universality of extremist rhetoric across religious boundaries. The Post report explained that his public-access cable TV show, ominously titled “The Reich,” served as a platform for propagating racist ideologies through skits and jokes, a chilling testament to the depths of his commitment to white supremacy.

Central to Meeink’s narrative is his animosity towards groups such as Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP), whom he despised for their anti-fascist stance. Meeink’s antagonism towards SHARP manifested in extreme violence, exemplified by the harrowing account of his abduction and torture of a member of the group on Christmas Eve in 1992, the Post report detailed. Recalling the incident, Meeink’s words resonate with chilling indifference as he describes the use of firearms and hours of torture devoid of remorse or empathy, painting a portrait of a young man consumed by hatred and cruelty.

At the age of 17, Meeink’s actions caught up with him, resulting in a three-year sentence for aggravated kidnapping. Incarcerated within the confines of the Illinois Department of Corrections, he found himself amidst a milieu of Aryan “farm boys and bikers,” surrounded by individuals who shared his extremist views, as per the information in the Post report. However, an unexpected turn of events would set Meeink on a path towards redemption.

Bonding with two black inmates, nicknamed Jello and G, over games of football and cards in the prison yard, Meeink experienced a gradual awakening from the grip of neo-Nazism. Their camaraderie transcended racial divides, offering Meeink a glimpse of humanity beyond the narrow limitations of his hatred. The Post reported that this unlikely friendship served as a catalyst for his transformation, inspiring a journey of introspection and self-discovery that would ultimately shape his future.

Emerging from prison after just over a year, Meeink’s newfound perspective led him to confront the contradictions within his own beliefs. Attending neo-Nazi rallies, he found himself at odds with the pervasive racism directed towards black people, challenging the narratives that once defined his worldview. Yet, his deep-seated anti-Semitism remained steadfast, a testament to the complexity of ideological indoctrination and personal biases, as was explained in the Post report.

Reflecting on his journey, Meeink’s words encapsulate the tumultuous path towards reconciliation and redemption. “I would hear them say all black people are this way,” he recalls, the Post reported, acknowledging the fallacy of racial stereotypes.

In 1994, amidst the throes of unemployment and addiction, Meeink found himself at a crossroads when offered a job at an antiques store in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, by its Jewish owner, Keith Brookstein. Despite harboring deep-seated prejudices, Meeink hesitantly accepted the offer, grappling with the weight of his past and the specter of his own bigotry, as was indicated in the Post report. His tentative inquiry to a friend about whether he had disclosed his swastika tattoo to Brookstein elicited a response that would alter the course of his life: “Keith doesn’t give a rat’s a-s what you believe, just don’t break his furniture.”

Brookstein’s unwavering kindness and willingness to extend forgiveness in the face of Meeink’s past transgressions resonated deeply with the young man. It was a transformative moment, as Meeink reflects, “Who are you to judge the world, you’re a f—ing criminal, a drunk. That was the day I was like, ‘I’m done. I’m out,'” he told the Post. In a symbolic gesture of his newfound resolve, Meeink refrained from shaving his head the next morning, marking the beginning of his journey towards reconciliation and redemption.

Subsequent actions further underscored Meeink’s commitment to transformation. Removing the swastika tattoo and the word “skinhead” from his knuckles symbolized a definitive break from his past ideology, signifying a repudiation of hate in favor of embracing a future defined by compassion and understanding, the Post report observed.

Frank Meeink ON CNN

However, it is Meeink’s embrace of Judaism that has emerged as the cornerstone of his redemption. In the wake of the darkest period of his life, marked by the loss of his son, his mother’s tragic overdose, and the dissolution of his marriage, Meeink found solace and guidance in his faith. Recounting his journey to recovery in Los Angeles, Meeink speaks fondly of his sponsor, a Jewish man he affectionately dubs his “recovery rabbi,” whose support and guidance played a pivotal role in his path towards sobriety and spiritual renewal, the Post report noted.

Reflecting on his arduous journey, Meeink acknowledges the challenges he has faced in confronting his past and embracing his newfound identity. “It was a lot of work,” he recalls, underscoring the profound personal transformation that has taken place within him, as was pointed out in the report in the Post.

“In recovery, it says, ‘Find the God of your understanding,'” Meeink reflects, highlighting a pivotal moment in his quest for spiritual enlightenment. This introspective journey led him to explore the tenets of Judaism, drawn to its emphasis on love and the freedom to worship according to one’s own understanding. “The thing I loved about Judaism is that it says, ‘Love the Lord your God.’ And that you don’t need to force your God on nobody else,” he explained during his conversation with the Post, as he underscored the inclusive nature of his newfound faith.

For Meeink, faith has become a source of humility and compassion, guiding his interactions with others and shaping his worldview. “My faith granted me humbleness and humility that enabled me to stand up for others,” he asserted during his interview with the Post as he highlighted the transformative power of spiritual awakening in fostering empathy and understanding.

Throughout his journey, Meeink remains committed to incorporating the principles of his faith into his daily life. On his morning prayer walks, he meditates on the word “stay,” a poignant reminder to shift his focus away from self-absorption towards a broader perspective. “S-T-A-Y: stop thinking about yourself,” he emphasizes, encapsulating the essence of his spiritual practice.

Central to Meeink’s journey of faith is his relationship with his “recovery rabbi,” whom he calls every morning at 8 a.m. This ritual serves as a reminder of his commitment to keeping God at the forefront of his life, grounding him in a deeper sense of purpose and connection. “I only do these things, not to just seem like a part of the Jews,” he explained to the Post, emphasizing the sincerity of his devotion.

In 2020, Meeink took his advocacy against hate to the highest levels, testifying before Congress about neo-Nazis’ attempts to infiltrate police forces. As was reported by the Post, his courageous testimony shed light on the insidious nature of extremism and placed an emphasis on the urgent need for action to combat hate and intolerance.

Looking to the future, Meeink envisions his remarkable journey translated onto the silver screen, with talks underway for a movie that would serve as a sequel of sorts to “American History X,” as was revealed in the Post report. Collaborating with director Sam French, Meeink seeks to share his story with a broader audience, imparting a simple yet profound message: “Love is more powerful than hate.”

In a world often marred by division and discord, Frank Meeink’s journey stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Through his unwavering commitment to faith and redemption, he reminds us of the transformative power of love and the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming even the darkest of adversities. As he continues to navigate his path forward, Meeink’s story serves as a testament to the enduring strength of the human soul and the limitless potential for growth and renewal.

 

 

New York City Council Begs Court to Authorize Voting Rights for 800,000 Foreign Nationals

0
People vote early at Brooklyn Borough Hall in the 10th Congressional District primary, Aug. 17, 2022.Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

John Binder(Breitbart)

The New York City Council is begging an appellate court to authorize more than 800,000 foreign nationals to vote in the city’s municipal elections.

In January 2022, Democrats on the 51-member New York City Council approved an ordinance to give more than 800,000 foreign nationals with green cards, visas, and work permits the opportunity to vote in citywide elections so long as they have resided in the city for at least 30 consecutive days.

Following lawsuits over the ordinance, the New York Supreme Court in June 2022 ruled that giving local voting rights to foreign nationals violated the state’s constitution, which explicitly reserves voting for American “citizens.”

In February, that ruling was upheld by the New York Appellate Division.

On Tuesday, New York City Council spokesperson Rendy Desamour announced that councilmembers are pleading with the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of the State of New York to override both rulings and allow the council to start implementing the ordinance.

Today’s filing to appeal the Second Department’s recent decision seeks a determination from the state’s highest court that the law is consistent with the state constitution, election law, and the municipal home rule law,” Desamour said:

Empowering New Yorkers to participate in our local democratic process can only strengthen New York City by increasing civic engagement. We look forward to the Court of Appeals’ consideration of the Council’s appeal.
[Emphasis added]

As Breitbart News noted, the ordinance was set to massively influence local elections while diluting the votes of American citizens living in the city. In 2021, for instance, Mayor Eric Adams (D) won the Democrat mayoral primary by less than 7,200 votes.

Former councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) said that the ordinance would dilute the votes of citizens while shifting electoral power to foreign nationals with ties to the United Nations, Wall Street, and the global financial system which has long been based in New York City.

Media ignores startling Palestinian public opinion survey

0
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, May 24, 2021. (AP/John Minchillo)

By Chaim Lax, HonestReporting

On March 20, 2024, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research published the results of its quarterly survey on the sentiments within Palestinian society regarding Israel, the ongoing war in Gaza, internal Palestinian politics, and the international community.

With much of the media’s attention turned to Gaza and Judea and Samaria, and with Western leaders hoping to restart negotiations for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, one would think that the results of this survey would have been covered by all the mainstream media organizations.

 

However, with limited exceptions, practically no mainstream news outlet outside of Israel even reported on this survey’s findings and those that did cover it (NewsweekThe New YorkerNBC News, and USA Today) only reported on certain results while ignoring others.

 

In its report on the survey’s findings, NBC News highlighted the fact that support for Hamas has dropped among both Palestinians in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. NBC also reported that, among Gazans, support for “armed armed struggle” has dropped while support for a two-state solution has risen.

The New Yorker similarly noted the seemingly promising results concerning the lower support for “armed struggle,” and the rise in support for a two-state solution among Gazans.

However, there are several flies in the ointment.

For example, while support for Hamas has fallen within Palestinian society, it is still the organization with the most support among Palestinians in both Gaza and Judea and Samaria, and its support in Judea and Samaria is still 20% higher than it was in September 2023 (before the October 7 attack and subsequent Israeli war against Hamas).

Furthermore, in response to a question about who Palestinians would vote for if another election was held today, Hamas still enjoys the most support among the Palestinian electorate, and it continues to poll higher today than it did in September 2023 (30% in March 2024 versus 21% in September).

 

Similarly, while it is true that support for “armed struggle” has fallen among those surveyed, it is still supported by the largest percentage of respondents — and in Judea and Samaria, it is supported by the majority.

As both NBC News and the New Yorker noted, support for a two-state solution has risen among Palestinian respondents in Gaza.

However, in Judea and Samaria (which would likely also be part of a two-state solution), support for a two-state solution hovered around little more than 30%.

Even in Gaza, where support for a two-state solution has risen to 62%, 52% of respondents opposed the restarting of negotiations for a two-state solution.

Other noteworthy results from this survey include:

  • The number of respondents who support Hamas’ launching of the October 7 attacks rose 14% in Gaza compared to December 2023, but dropped 11 percentage points to 71% in Judea and Samaria.
  • The vast majority of respondents believe that Hamas did not commit atrocities during the October 7 attack. Among those who have watched videos from the attack, 81% believe that Hamas did not commit atrocities, while among those who did not watch these videos, the number rises to 97%.
  • Among Gazan respondents, the vast majority (70%) reported that aid distribution in the war-torn territory was discriminatory. Broken down, 90% said that aid distributed by local Palestinian groups was given out in a discriminatory fashion, while 70% said the same for aid given out by UNRWA.
  • The percentage of Palestinians who blame Hamas for the current suffering in Gaza dropped from 11% to 7% between December 2023 and March 2024. Among Gazans, the number of people who blame Hamas for their suffering dropped from 19% to 9% during this time period.
  • In both Gaza and Judea and Samaria, the vast majority are still satisfied with the way Hamas and Yahya Sinwar have performed during the current war. While satisfaction with Hamas’ performance dropped to 75% in Judea and Samaria, satisfaction with Hamas among Gazans actually rose 10 points to 62% since December 2023.
  WATCH: SOLDIERS FROM NAHAL OZ BASE SHARE THEIR AMAZING STORIES OF SURVIVAL

By either disregarding the entire survey or only focusing on a select few results, the media appears to be intent on continuing to spread the narrative that a two-state solution is tenable in the near future (and that a failure to reach one will fall largely at the feet of Israel’s right-wing government), that Hamas does not represent the Palestinians, and that UNRWA is a legitimate provider of aid in Gaza.

By choosing to continue with its simplistic image of Palestinian society by largely ignoring the uncomfortable results found in this survey, the media has not only failed to provide its audience with a complete picture of the situation in Gaza and Judea and Samaria, it is also helping to construct a false paradigm through which foreign policymakers and domestic electorates will view the current conflict between Israel and Hamas.

 

 

Trump’s New York Hush Money Case is Set for Trial April 15

0
The first of Donald Trump’s four criminal trials will begin April 15, a Manhattan judge ruled Monday.

By: Michael R. Sisak, Jake Offenhartz & Eric Tucker

The first of Donald Trump’s four criminal trials will begin April 15, a Manhattan judge ruled Monday after tearing into the former president’s lawyers for what he said were unfounded claims that the hush-money case had been tainted by prosecutorial misconduct.

Judge Juan M. Merchan scoffed at the defense’s calls to delay the case longer or throw it out entirely because of a last-minute document dump that had bumped the first-ever trial of a former president from its scheduled Monday start. Trump vowed to appeal the ruling.

Barring another delay, the presumptive Republican nominee will be on trial as a criminal defendant in just three weeks — an inauspicious homecoming in the city where he grew up, built a real estate empire and gained wealth and celebrity that propelled him to the White House.

The trial, involving allegations related to hush money paid during Trump’s 2016 campaign to cover up marital infidelity claims, had been in limbo after his lawyers complained about a recent deluge of nearly 200,000 pages of evidence from a previous federal investigation into the matter.

Trump’s lawyers accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office of intentionally failing to pursue evidence from the 2018 federal investigation, which sent Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen to prison. They contended prosecutors working under Bragg, a Democrat, did so to gain an unfair advantage in the case and harm Trump’s election chances. Cohen, now a vocal Trump critic, is poised to be a key prosecution witness against his ex-boss.

Merchan bristled at the defense’s claims at a hearing Monday, saying the DA’s office had no duty to collect evidence from the federal investigation, nor was the U.S. attorney’s office required to volunteer the documents. What transpired was a “far cry” from Manhattan prosecutors “injecting themselves in the process and vehemently and aggressively trying to obstruct your ability to get documentation,” the judge said.

“It’s just not what happened,” Merchan said.

Merchan grew impatient, pressing Trump lawyer Todd Blanche to cite even a single legal precedent for his argument.

When the lawyer couldn’t, the judge laid into him, saying: “You’re literally accusing the Manhattan DA’s office and the people assigned to this case of engaging in prosecutorial misconduct and of trying to make me complicit in it. And you don’t have a single cite to support that position.”

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo said the number of relevant, usable, new documents in the recently provided evidence “is quite small” — around 300 records or fewer. Trump’s lawyers contend thousands of pages are potentially important and require painstaking review. They argued the delayed disclosures warranted dismissing the case or at least pushing it off three months.

“We are not doing our jobs if we don’t independently look at the new material,” Blanche told the judge. “Every document is important.”

The DA’s office denied wrongdoing and blamed Trump’s lawyers for bringing the time crunch upon themselves by waiting until Jan. 18 to subpoena the records from the U.S. attorney’s office — a mere nine weeks before the trial was originally supposed to start. Merchan, who earlier this month postponed the trial until at least mid-April to deal with the evidence issue, told defense lawyers that they should have acted sooner if they believed they didn’t have all the records they wanted.

Trump complained about the ruling outside court, renewing his complaint that the case is “election interference.”

(AP)

Murder in Manhattan Apt Linked to Squatter Craze; Property Take Overs Continue

0
Nadia Vitels, 52, met a tragic fate inside her late mother’s apartment. Credit: Facebook

By: Jared Evan

In a grim turn of events, a murder mystery unfolds in Manhattan, shedding light on the perils associated with squatter laws and the current surge in squatting trends.

Videos, have popped up online teaching potential property thieves  how to invade private property, when owners  are on on vacation or away from their homes for an extended period of time,  and take it over, due to legal loopholes.

According to police sources, Nadia Vitels, 52, met a tragic fate inside her late mother’s New York City apartment in the Kips Bay neighborhood.

Two suspects on the run were apprehended by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force in York, Pennsylvania, in connection with the homicide of 52-year-old Nadia Vitel, whose body was discovered in a duffel bag in her upscale Manhattan apartment last week, two senior law enforcement officials said Friday.

The individuals, a 19-year-old and a 16-year-old, are now facing charges related to Vitel’s death. Specifics on the charges weren’t immediately clear, nor were details regarding their capture, NBC News NY reported

Halley Tejada, 19, and Kensly Alston, 18, were tracked down by US Marshals in York, west of Philadelphia, just before 11 a.m. and taken into custody, the sources said.

NY Post reported: Investigators believe the suspects had been squatting in the upscale apartment and beat Vitels to death when they came face to face with her there on March 12, police said.

Reports suggest that Vitels, who had traveled from Spain to prepare the apartment for occupation by a family friend, was unaware of the two individuals unlawfully residing there. Surveillance footage captured her movements as she visited the vacant apartment, unaware of the presence of the squatters.

Tragically, upon her arrival, the suspects returned to the scene, leading to a confrontation resulting in Vitels’ death from blunt force trauma to the head. Her body was discovered concealed in a duffel bag within the apartment’s front closet.

The superintendent of the building, Jean Pompee, expressed shock and dismay, recounting the grim discovery made by concerned family members. The suspects, identified through surveillance footage, were seen fleeing the scene in Vitels’ Lexus, which was later involved in an accident in Pennsylvania.

The incident underscores the urgent need for reevaluation of squatter laws in New York and beyond. Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz has been vocal about the need to address loopholes that afford squatters legal protection after a mere 30 days of occupancy.

NY Post reported on Squatter craze.

Blumencranz’s proposed legislation aims to mitigate the risks associated with squatters’ rights, aiming to prevent situations where individuals exploit the system for personal gain. Squatting, a growing concern across the nation, poses significant threats to homeowners’ rights and public safety.

In a disturbing trend, online forums and dark web platforms offer guidance on trespassing and establishing residency in vacant properties. Squatters strategically target homes based on various criteria, often exploiting properties left unattended for extended periods.

While high-profile cases, such as mansion takeovers, garner attention, instances like Vitels’ tragic death underscore the broader implications of squatting on individuals and communities.

As Vitels’ grieving son mourns the loss of his mother, the call for action to safeguard property rights grows louder. With thousands of homes vulnerable to invasion by squatters, urgent measures are needed to address this pressing issue and protect homeowners’ rights across the country.

NYS Announces 2025 Deadline for Casino Bids as Developers Prepare Proposals

0
Robert Williams, executive director of the state’s Gaming Commission, said the state would wait for all applicants to finish the lengthy environmental reviews. Credit: YouTube.com

By:   Benyamin Davidsons

New York State officials finally announced a deadline for casino bids.  As reported by Crain’s NY, the state announced Monday that it will not officially open up to NYC Casino bids till 2025.  The lucrative and highly anticipated casino operator selection process has been slow-moving with the state failing to put a firm deadline on bids by developers and entertainment companies vying  to open casinos.  Since 2022, developers, gaming firms and lobbyist have been anxiously preparing their proposals in high hopes of being selected to open one of the three approved casino licenses to be awarded in the five boroughs of NYC.  Many of them were  hoping that the official bidding would be opened this spring.

On Monday, Robert Williams, executive director of the state’s Gaming Commission, said the state would wait for all applicants to finish the lengthy environmental reviews they are required under state law, as well as the additional land-use permits that several of the candidates still need to complete for their specific sites—setting the deadline for submission for mid-2025.

Per Crain’s, the state could have answered the second round of questions posted by applicants and set a 30-day deadline for the casino bids. Williams noted, however, that starting the process now would have forced the bidders to submit all the reams of paperwork only to have to revise them again in line with the reviews.  “The establishment of an early [application] filing would require continual update  of all market-based responses, and all financial answers will likely have to be modified over time,” Williams said. “This would pose an administrative nightmare.”

The Community Advisory Committees, or six-member panel of local officials who will vote on each proposal, will also be formed by mid-2025, Williams said.  The 2025 timeline will allow lobbyists and the bidding company’s more time for their vigorous efforts to influence lawmakers.  Per Crain’s, one lobbyist involved in the process said Monday that the timeframe set was surprisingly actually “pretty  aggressive”, and shows the state is eager to start reaping the estimated $200 million to $400 million in tax revenues from the casinos as quickly as possible.  The candidates who win an approval will also need to pay a $500 million license fee.

The city too is making strides to quicken the process.  Last week, an effort to change the city’s own zoning code passed one more hurdle.  The city council is likely to support an overwhelming zoning change, which would eliminate the need for each casino bid to pass through an individual lengthy city rezoning process before even being eligible by the state.

Still, zoning issues will continue to be a challenge for several of the bidders.  Four of the projects would still need the city to sign off on land-use changes for before they could be considered, Williams said.  These include the casinos proposed by Related Companies for Hudson Yards, Steve Cohen for Willets Point, Thor Equities in Coney Island, and Bally’s at the former Trump Golf Links in the Bronx.

Williams said Monday that the process has not been delayed, and is on track for the state to start reaping casino revenues in 2026,  as per the budget estimates.  “Thus, the process remains ahead of schedule,” he said.

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

0
Maritza Ming. Credit: Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

Edited by: TJVNews.com

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

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

It was revealed in the Post report that Ming had transitioned to a role at a personal-injury law firm, Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb, in Manhattan.  The shift from a high-ranking official to what was derisively described as an “ambulance chaser” serves as a humbling reminder of the consequences of unchecked behavior and ethical lapses.

Further complicating the narrative is the revelation regarding Ming’s prolonged absence from the DA’s office. Despite reports suggesting that Ming had not been present at the office since July of the previous year, she remained on the payroll, drawing a substantial salary that included a sizable bonus, the Post report revealed.

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

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

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

Maritza Ming’s tenure within the Brooklyn DA’s office spans over two decades, with her rise to the position of chief of staff in 2018 and subsequent promotion to “confidential executive assistant district attorney” last year, according to the report in the Post.

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