52.1 F
New York
Sunday, April 28, 2024
type here...
Home Blog Page 2260

New York AG Opens Investigation Into NRA Finances Amidst Internal Leadership Dispute

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

New York Attorney General Letitia James has opened an investigation into the National Rifle Association, according to CNN.

By: Harry Cherry

A spokesperson for Mrs. James told CNN that it has issued subpoenas, as part of the investigation.

“As part of this investigation, the Attorney General has issued subpoenas,” a spokesperson for Mrs. James told CNN in a statement. “We will not have further comment at this time.”

Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization which advocates for gun control and regulation, told CNN that it recently filed a complaint with the New York Attorney General against the NRA in regarding to its tax-exempt status.

An official with Everytime for Gun Safety told CNN that a report issued by The Trace and the New Yorker prompted its complaint.

The report alleged that a handful of NRA contractors, executives and vendors “have extracted hundreds of millions of dollars” from the organization’s budget.

“In light of the recent, credible allegations of excessive invoicing and personal enrichment by insiders, it’s encouraging that the New York Attorney General is looking into the NRA, and we renew our call for other state and federal authorities to do the same,” John Feinblatt, the President of Everytown for Gun Safety, told CNN in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported within the last few days that the National Rifle Association was dealing with internal turmoil — as its president, Colonel Oliver North, accused the groups longtime Chief Executive, Wayne LaPierre, of financial misdeeds.

Mrs. James’s investigation deals with “related-party transactions between the NRA and its board members; unauthorized political activity; and potentially false or misleading disclosures in regulatory filings,” a source familiar with the matter told the Journal, according to CNN.

“The NRA will fully cooperate with any inquiry into its finances,” William A. Brewer III, an attorney for the NRA and partner at Brewer Attorneys and Counsel told CNN in a statement. “The NRA is prepared for this, and has full confidence in its accounting practices and commitment to good governance.”

In a letter released on Thursday, which was sent to the group’s board of directors, Mr. LaPierre hit back — accusing Mr. North of forcing him to resign and trying to extort him.

Mr. North informed the National Rifle Association’s members on Saturday that he will not serve another term as the organization’s president, and would be resigning in the coming days.

Mr. North accused Mr. LaPierre previously of “charging over $200,000 in wardrobe purchased to a NRA vendor,” according to CNN, which cited a Wall Street Journal report.

The NRA did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.

California Synagogue Shooting Leaves One Dead, 3 Injured – Cal State Student Pens Anti-Jewish Manifesto

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

A 19-year-old man opened fire upon congregants at a Chabad synagogue during services for the last day of Passover on Saturday, in what law enforcement officials say was a hate crime — ultimately taking the lives of one woman and injuring three others.

By: Harry Cherry

The suspect, later identified as John T. Earnest, wrote in his manifest that he is a man of “European ancestry.”

“My name is John Earnest and I am a man of European ancestry,” he wrote in his digital manifest on Saturday, which has now gathered over 38,000 views on the text forum pastebin. “Truly, I am blessed by God for such a magnificent bloodline.”

Saturday’s shooting, which occurred at the Chabad in Poway, California, is the latest in a series of attacks in recent months against Jews around in the world. White nationalist Robert Bowers opened fire on congregants at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh last October, killing 11 people and injuring 7 others.

One woman was pronounced dead, following gunshot wounds and three other synagogue members who were shot are recovering at nearly hospitals, San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore said Saturday at a press conference.

Police Chief David Nisleit said that the shooter called the authorities following the shooting spree, as he attempted to flee the scene.

As he attempted to flee, an off-duty Border patrol agent, in an attempt to neutralize the threat to the local community, opened fire against Mr. Earnest, officials said.

Before entering the Chabad synagogue on Saturday, Mr. Earnest posted an anti-Semitic letter to multiple online forums, including 8-chan, which is frequented by White Nationalists and members of the alt-right.

The hate-filled documented was also posted to Pastebin, an online text-to-paste service, by Mr. Earnest under the username “johntearnest,” and has now been viewed over 38,000 times.

Mr. Earnest, in his letter filled with antisemitic remarks, racial slurs, and conspiracy theories, urged extremists to commit attacks similar in nature, recommending that they use flamethrowers rather than a gun.

“If your goal is strictly carnage and the highest score—I’d highly recommend you look into flamethrowers,” he wrote. “I had my whole life ahead of me. If you told me even 6 months ago that I would do this I would have been surprised.”

The shooter, however, claimed that he was not a supporter of President Donald Trump, citing the president’s support for Israel, and claiming that he is “anti-White” and a “traitor.”

Mr. Earnest also admitted in his letter to committing arson at the Dar-ul-Arqam mosque in Escondido, California.

“I scorched a mosque in Escondido with gasoline a week after Brenton Tarrant’s sacrifice and they never found sh** on me,” he wrote.

President Trump, referencing the attack, told reporters that it was hard to believe.

“Hard to believe, hard to believe,” he told reporters at The White House. “With respect to the synagogue in California near San Diego. We’re doing some very heavy research. We’ll see what happens, what comes up. At this moment it looks like a hate crime. But my deepest sympathies to all of those affected. And we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

During a campaign-style rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mr. Trump weighed in on the attack, saying: “America’s heart is with the victims of the horrific synagogue shooting in Poway, California.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., offered her condolences, writing on Twitter that she stands “with the Jewish community” against Saturday’s “act of hate.”

“Coming just six months after the horrific mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, we are confronted with what appears to be another anti-Semitic attack,” she said. “We all stand with the Jewish community against this act of hate.”

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who chairs the House Intelligence committee said that the nation should come together to counter the “disturbing rise of violent hatred” across America.

“Another despicable and violent act of anti-Semitism — this time at a synagogue in Poway, California at the end of Passover,” Mr. Schiff posted on Twitter. “We must act to end the scourge of gun violence and come together against the disturbing rise of violent hatred across the U.S.”

Morton Klein, the president of the Zionist Organization of America, condemned the despicable antisemitic attack against congregants at the Chabad synagogue in Poway, California.

“Our hearts go out to their families and to the Jewish people having to endure another synagogue shooting,” he wrote on Twitter. “ZOA urges Congressional leaders to condemn this and Omar/Tlaib antisemitic remarks now.”

In a statement sent to the media, the Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) — Igud HaRabbonim, with a membership of over 950 Orthodox Rabbis across the United States and Canada said it “extends its boundless expression of support and solidarity to the victims, their families, and the survivors of the brutal, horrendous terrorist attack that took place this Sabbath, Achron Shel Pesach, the last day of Passover, at the Chabad of Poway in San Diego, California while innocent celebrants were sitting down for a holiday meal. Sadly, the terrorist killed a woman and wounded the rabbi and two others. We condemn the evil carnage perpetrated by a malevolent and hateful individual seeking to murder innocent people gathered in celebration of faith, life and community.”

The RAA/Igud calls upon all people of goodwill to unite in prayer beseeching our Creator for His protection and to increase in acts of charity and loving-kindness to help heal our fractured society. We must gather together in prayer and good deeds to thwart this cowardice and hatred that wishes to destroy all that is good in this world. Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Chairman of the RAA presidium, asks all member rabbis to call for additional prayers to be recited immediately at all prayer services for the healing of the injured.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice President of the RAA, stated that, “A hate attack on anyone is an attack on all of society. All decent people must come together to condemn such an evil act of anti-Semitism.”

 

WJC President Lauder condemns vicious attack on California synagogue: “People of all faiths must stand together against such hatred”

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0

 

The World Jewish Congress is horrified by the vicious attack unleashed today against a Chabad synagogue near San Diego, just six months after the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh which claimed 11 lives.  WJC President Ronald S. Lauder expressed his deep sorrow and condolences to the victims of the California attack, after the San Diego sheriff confirmed that one person had been killed and three others wounded.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community of Poway, California today as their worst nightmare unfolds. There is absolutely no justification or explanation for such violence, and it is inconceivable that, yet again, innocent people have been targeted simply for their religion and for choosing to attend a place of worship,” Lauder said.

“We strongly condemn this heinous attack and extend our deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community. We pray for the swift recovery of the injured and trust that justice will be served against the perpetrator of this attack. There is no room for such hate-filled violence in our society. People of all faiths must stand together and declare that we will never tolerate such hatred,” Lauder said.

 

RJC Condemns Heinous Hate Crime At Poway Chabad, Sends Prayers To Victims

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0

Earlier today there was a heinous attack on the Chabad House in Poway, California. RJC National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman released the following statement:

The shooting at the Poway Chabad House, a Jewish house of worship, comes on the six-month anniversary of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. First and foremost, our prayers go out to the family of the fatally wounded worshiper, the wounded and their families, and the Jewish community of Southern California. Second, as the Mayor of Poway said, this is a hate crime, and we are reminded that as Jews we continue to be targets of hate even after 3000+ years. Finally, we are thankful to the first responders who appear to have already caught the shooter and have gotten the victims to help and safety quickly. These people are heroes.

Violence, especially violence born out of religious hate has no place in our society. The RJC strongly condemns anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry wherever it raises its head. We pray for a swift and complete recovery for all those injured. We also call on our elected leaders to do everything possible to combat anti-Semitism.

Trump Condemns Poway Shooting

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

“Tonight America’s heart is with the victims of the horrific synagogue shooting in Poway, California. Just happened. Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded, and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community. We forcefully condemn the evil of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated. Just happened. Must be defeated. And we are grateful to the law-enforcement personnel for their courageous response. Incredible response today by law enforcement. And I especially want to recognize a certain off-duty border patrol agent who bravely returned fire and helped disrupt the attack and saved so many lives. Border patrol!”

THE RABBINICAL ALLIANCE OF AMERICA MOURNS THE PASSOVER SYNAGOGUE TERRORIST ATTACK IN SAN DIEGO

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0

With profound sorrow and grief, The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) — Igud HaRabbonim, with a membership of over 950 Orthodox Rabbis across the United States and Canada — extends its boundless expression of support and solidarity to the victims, their families, and the survivors of the brutal, horrendous terrorist attack that took place this Sabbath, Achron Shel Pesach, the last day of Passover, at the Chabad of Poway in San Diego, California while innocent celebrants were sitting down for a holiday meal. Sadly, the terrorist killed a woman and wounded the rabbi and two others. We condemn the evil carnage perpetrated by a malevolent and hateful individual seeking to murder innocent people gathered in celebration of faith, life and community.

 

RAA/Igud calls upon all people of goodwill to unite in prayer beseeching our Creator for His protection and to increase in acts of charity and loving-kindness to help heal our fractured society. We must gather together in prayer and good deeds to thwart this cowardice and hatred that wishes to destroy all that is good in this world. Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Chairman of the RAA presidium, asks all member rabbis to call for additional prayers to be recited immediately at all prayer services for the healing of the injured.

 

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice President of the RAA, stated that, “A hate attack on anyone is an attack on all of society. All decent people must come together to condemn such an evil act of anti-Semitism.”

 

May the One who makes peace in the Heavenly heights make peace upon us and upon all Israel, Amen.

Michael Cohen, In Recorded Phone Call, Says ‘There Is No Tax Evasion’

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen, in a newly-surfaced phone call with comedian Tom Arnold, walked back segments of his plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

By: Harry Cherry

“There is no tax evasion,” Mr. Cohen reportedly said in the recording provided to the Wall Street Journal.

Cohen complained in the recorded phone call about the fact that a federal judge sentenced him to three years in prison.

“You would think that you would have folks, you know, stepping up and saying, ​’​You know what, this guy’s lost everything,​” he said.

Cohen lamented about the assets which he’s lost since being indicted.

“My family’s happiness, and my law license,” Cohen lamented. “I lost my business … my insurance, my bank accounts, all for what? All for what? Because Trump, you know, had an affair with a porn star? That’s really what this is about.”

Cohen told Tom Arnold that he entered a guilty plea to a slew of federal charges because prosecutors had him “on campaign finance,” and threatened to charge his wife with crimes if he did not plead guilty. He told The Jewish Voice in a recent interview that federal prosecutors threatened to bring criminal charges against his wife if he didn’t enter into a plea agreement.

“​I love this woman, and I am not going to let her get dragged into the mud of this crap,” he told Arnold. “​And I never thought the judge was going to throw a three-year fricking sentence.​”

Lanny Davis, one of Michael Cohen’s attorneys and legal advisers, told the Wall Street Journal that Cohen has “taken responsibility for his crimes,” and will report to prison next month, as planned.

“While he cannot change the past, he is making every effort to reclaim his life and do right by his family and country. He meant no offense by his statements​,​” Davis told the Journal.

Talking about embattled attorney Michael Avenatti, Cohen said in the recorded phone call that Avenatti “lied about him” every day.

Avenatti has been accused in New York of trying to extort Nike for $20 million dollars and is accused by federal prosecutors in California of committing bank fraud, wire fraud, and stealing millions of dollars from a mentally ill client.

“Look at what’s happening to Avenatti – it’s called karma boomerang,​” Cohen told Tom Arnold. “The guy lied about me every single day, right? And the world loved it.​”

Arnold told The Journal that he recorded the conversation because Michael Cohen “tapes everything,” adding that he wanted to remember what exactly they discussed.

Michael Avenatti was also charged with committing tax fraud and bankruptcy fraud and faces hundreds of years in prison if convicted of all charges against him in New York and California

Prior to IPO, Uber Mulling Over Large Office Space in NYC

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

Uber is currently looking for a large amount of office space in New York City, in advance of next month’s Initial Public Offering.

By: Craig Mendleton

Multiple sources inside Uber told Crain’s that they are searching for 250,000 to 300,000 square feet of office space. Uber Executives told Crain’s that they have looked at space near Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan — and at 3 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan — as possible locations.

Uber has retained CBRE to help with the search.

In February, Uber leased 50,000 square feet of office space 1400 Broadway for $50,000. The 50,000 square foot office at Terminal Stores, located at Hudson Yards — which is scheduled to undergo a vast renovation.

Uber’s main New York home is in Queens — where it’s had 20,000 square feet of office space in the Falachi Building since entering into a lease in 2014.

In comparison, Lyft has 11,000 square feet of space in New York — which houses its sales, marketing, and engineering departments. Lyft leased that space last year. A Lyft spokesperson at the time told The New York Post that employees will be working on research of driverless cars.

“The diversity of New York’s neighborhoods and urban layout makes it an ideal place for engineers to understand and strengthen Lyft’s technology nationwide,” the Lyft spokesperson told The Post in a statement. “If you can understand and build transportation in NYC, you can do it anywhere.”

One month before opening its Manhattan office, Lyft raised $1 billion dollars in funding.

A recent selloff and worries about a looming recession have scared off investors as well as Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s CEO.

Experts said earlier this year that Uber was overvalued at $120 billion — and is actually worth around $70 billion.

In a filing sent to the SEC earlier this month ahead of its Initial Public Offering (IPO), Uber declared that it had 91 million users, as of the end of 2018.

Uber said in the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects expenses to “increase significantly in the foreseeable future,” adding that it “may not achieve profitability.”

The New York Post reported earlier this month that Uber plans to sell about $10 billion in shares at its IPO. In the private fundraising market, Uber was valued at $76 billion dollars, however, executives are seeking a valuation of anywhere between $90 billion and $100 billion.

Uber had revenue last year of $11.3 billion dollars, and gross bookings were $50 billion, according to The Post. The Post added that Uber lost $3.3 billion last year.

Joe Biden to Announce 2020 Presidential Run; Says His Coffers Are Empty

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

Former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat from Delaware, is expected to launch his 2020 presidential campaign in a short video on Thursday — with no money from the outset.

By: Harry Cherry

“I don’t think the challenge is underestimated by the Biden team,” Rufus Gifford, President Obama’s 2012 financial director, told The New York Times.

Biden’s top political aides have talked to prominent Democratic donors in recent weeks, and have expressed concern that Mr. Biden may not be able to record fundraising numbers like former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Tex., and Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont, did in the first 24-hours of his presidential campaign. Mr. O’Rourke raised over $6 million dollars in the first 24 hours within his campaign’s launch.

Some political experts fear that the more money from large donors that Mr. Biden collects — the more it will hurt his image of being a fighter for middle-class Americans.

One Democratic finance bundler, Wade Randlett, who lives in San Francisco, told The Times that he thinks the “overwhelming share” of Obama fundraisers will come to support Mr. Biden.

“He was an enormously valuable and loyal vice president of the man who we all shed blood, sweat, and tears to make president of the United States,” Mr. Randlett told The Times.

Other Obama fundraisers have thus far come to the aid of Pete Buttigieg, the Mayor of South Bend Indiana and California Senator Kamala Harris.

“This is going to be tough. This is going to be a heavy lift,” Mr. Gifford told The Times, adding: “The Obama people are not a given, and they’re going to have to work for them just like everyone has to work for them.”

Mr. Sanders as well as Elizabeth Warren, a Senator from Massachusetts who is running to obtain the Democratic nomination, have promised supporters not to use bundlers or accept large contributions from corporate donors.

Katie Petrelius, the Director of Development for the Biden Foundation, has been managing the early financial efforts for Mr. Biden’s impending presidential campaign, according to The Times.

“An awful lot of people have offered to help, and the people who are usually the biggest donors in the Democratic Party and, I might add, some major Republican folks,” Mr. Biden said in February at the University of Delaware.

One Democratic fundraising expert, Denise Bauer, however, told The Times in an email that she plans to raise money for Mr. Biden, saying that she is “quite optimistic” about his prospects.

“From what I understand, they are putting together a first-rate, modern organization,” she told The Times. “This wouldn’t be a rerun of 2008 or 2012, or even 2016.”

Seagram Heiress Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty to Involvement in Sex Cult

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

Clare Bronfman, the heiress to the Seagram fortune, pled guilty in court yesterday to involvement in a self-help organization that many have said is really a so-called sex cult.

By: David Dennison

Bronfman, 40, “admitted Friday in a federal court in Brooklyn to harboring an undocumented immigrant for financial gain and committing credit card fraud on behalf of Keith Raniere, the leader of the Nxivm group. Prosecutors say some members of the group were forced to have sex with Raniere and were branded with his initials,” the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) reported.

The high-profile case has had a little something for everyone, including court room histrionics, as the defendant fainted earlier today when the judge “asked if she was being secretly represented by embattled celebrity lawyer Michael Avenatti in a case where she is charged with money laundering and identity theft involving the alleged sex-cult NXIVM,” noted CNBC.

Bronfman will not be forced to go on trial alongside the reputed cult leader in May, since she has accepted a plea deal. The heiress is looking at two-plus years behind bars and having to give up approximately $6 million – pocket change, considering that the Bronfman fortune has been estimated by some at being ine excess of $200 million. She is due for sentencing on July 25.

“Your honor, I was afforded a great gift by my grandfather and father,” Bronfman said as part of her testimony. “With the gift comes immense privilege and, more importantly, tremendous responsibility. It does not come with an ability to break the law.”

As part of the plea deal, Bronfman admitted under oath that she had, indeed, hidden someone who was living in the United States illegally for unpaid “labor and services.” She also admitted to committing credit card fraud while working for Keith Raniere, who led the Nxivm cult based in upstate New York.

Bronfman, the daughter of the late philanthropist and former Seagram chairman Edgar Bronfman Sr., “told the judge she was trying to help people. Nxivm described itself as a “self-help” organization, but according to officials, it was actually a cult that branded members and forced them into having sex with Raniere,” according to The Forward.

Bronfman’s late father, Edgar Bronfman Sr., was “a scion and longtime head of the Seagram’s Company, at one point the largest distiller of alcoholic beverages in the world. Bronfman was president of the World Jewish Congress for many years and was a major supporter of an array of Jewish causes, including the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, where he was a board member, and JTA’s partner site MyJewishLearning, which he founded in 2003,” JTA reported.

Lawyer for Billion $$$ Hedge Fund Says Investors Knew They May Not Get Their Money Back

By
Administrator
-
0
shutterstock

An attorney for Platinum Partners told jury members yesterday that investors in the firm – which has now gone of business – were given plenty of notice that there was a chance they would never get back their money.

By Howard M. Riell

Attorney Jose Baez opened his remarks to the jury by saying that the multi-billion-dollar hedge fund firm’s founder, Mark Nordlicht, should be acquitted of the criminal fraud charges he is facing.

“This case is a fraud,” Baez said, summing up the criminal prosecution that began over two years ago with the arrest in December of 2016 of Nordlicht and some of his Platinum executive colleagues. The trial got underway early yesterday afternoon.

Standing trial together with Nordlicht are David Levy, who was Platinum’s co-chief investment officer; Joseph SanFilippo, who was chief financial officer of Platinum’s flagship Value Arbitrage fund; and Daniel Small, who was a Platinum managing director. Each has entered a plea of not guilty.

In court papers, Nordlicht claimed that he believed in good faith that Platinum would resolve its liquidity issues. He also felt the firm’s problems were brought about by media reporting in regard to the government’s investigation before the indictment.

In his opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Hein said that Nordlicht and his co-defendants, Platinum’s co-chief investment officer David Levy and its Chief Financial Officer Joseph SanFilippo, cheated their investors out of “millions and millions of dollars” in two separate schemes.

In the first, Hein charged, Platinum Partners “overvalued the often-illiquid assets of its flagship hedge fund, reported false annualized returns topping 17 percent and selectively paid out cash to some investors over others,” reported Vos Iz Neias. “In the second scheme, Nordlicht and Levy defrauded bondholders in Black Elk, an oil exploration company Platinum owned, by diverting money from asset sales to Platinum ahead of Black Elk’s 2015 bankruptcy, Hein said.

Baez “countered by showing jurors numerous examples of documents given to investors warning that the investments were risky, that Platinum’s investments were not necessarily liquid and that redemptions of cash were at Nordlicht’s discretion. “The warnings and the notices to these investors are everywhere,” reports Reuters.

Baez, the news service continued, said Nordlicht and the other defendants “believed they could recover from a liquidity crunch in 2014 and 2015. He said they ultimately failed because of “leaks” to media about the federal investigation of Platinum, and that there could be something “sinister” behind those leaks. That drew a sharp rebuke from U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan after the jury left for a break. Cogan had previously ruled that defense lawyers could not suggest to the jury that the government engaged in misconduct.”

The RJC Won’t Let Israel Become A Punching Bag For Democrats To Score Points With Their Radical Base

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0
Rep. Omar sits on the House Foreign Relations Committee spewing anti-Semitism because the Democrats believe that Islamic terrorism is justified. Anti-Semitism, in Omar’s case, is the symptom of an Islamist hostility that does not limit itself to Israel, but encloses America and much of the free world. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Last night, Bernie Sanders, the Democrats’ leading candidate for President called the recent, democratically elected government of Israel “racist”, and said if elected, he would be more sympathetic to Palestinian concerns. In response to this latest signal that the Democratic party is moving away from being a pro-Israel party, RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks released the following statement:

Democrats are at it again. They don’t like the results of a free and democratic election; therefore, they call the victors racist and, by extension, call their supporters racist. It’s an absurd and offensive claim. When the Democratic party’s presidential frontrunner, Bernie Sanders, calls the Israeli government racist, he ignores that the nearly 2 million Arab Israeli citizens enjoy the same exact rights that every other Israeli citizen does: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to vote in free and democratic elections. 

However, Bernie Sanders and the Democratic leadership don’t care about these facts. They care about appealing to the apparent, new voting base that has been energized by Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Linda Sarsour. These Left-wing radicals preach intersectionality as a way to rally disparate groups, even if that means attacking a close ally that happens to be the only country in the Middle East that protects the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, and religious minorities. Bernie Sanders and his Democratic Party are calling Israel racist in hopes that the American people will buy their lies. The RJC won’t let this happen. We won’t let Israel become a punching bag for Democrats to score points with their radical base.

Statement by Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Rabbinical Council of America on Terror Attacks in Sri Lanka

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and Rabbinical Council of America express deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the horrific murders on Sunday at three Christian churches and other locations in Sri Lanka and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in the terror attack.
We stand with our brothers and sisters throughout the world against senseless hatred and bigotry, and the despicable violence they breed. We condemn, in the strongest terms, the horrific murder of innocent people, and the added abhorrence of violence in houses of prayer. We commit to continue to work toward a future in which people of all faiths may respect each other and live together in safety and peace.

WJC voices condemnation after Italian soccer fans caught performing fascist salutes ahead of match

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0

The World Jewish Congress on Wednesday voiced deep condemnation after a group of supporters of the Italian Serie A football club SS Lazio were caught on video performing fascist salutes and hanging banners glorifying Benito Mussolini ahead of the team’s Wednesday match in Milan. The scene unfolded the day before Liberation Day celebrations, which mark the end of the country’s fascist dictatorship.

Responding to the incident, World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer stated, “It is incomprehensible that in the 21st century there are still those who seek to glorify a fascist regime that was responsible for spreading hate across the continent during the darkest days of World War II and supported the Nazis in their perpetration of the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity.”

“Football is known to millions around the world as the ‘beautiful game’ not only because of the skill of its players, but for its unique ability to bring people together over their shared love of sport and club. It is time for players, club officials, and governing bodies to make clear that there is no room for such behavior by supporters both inside and outside of stadiums. We call on the leadership of SS Lazio and Serie A to respond accordingly and to ensure that these fans are punished to the fullest extent,” Singer said.

CONGRESSIONAL REPS URGE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO ADD ISRAEL TO GLOBAL ENTRY PROGRAM; ADDITION WOULD ALLOW TRAVELERS FROM ISRAEL TO GAIN EXPEDITED ENTRY TO THE U.S.

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0

 Today, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Brian Mast (R-FL) sent a bipartisan letter with 73 other Members of Congress to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan urging him to expand the Global Entry program to Israel.

The Global Entry program allows expedited entry to the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon their arrival in the U.S. Current participants of the program include: Australia, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, the Netherlands, Panama, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Switzerland, Argentina, and India.

Since 2012, Israel has participated in a limited pilot program for Global Entry. Israel’s full participation in the program would not only strengthen the deep U.S.-Israel national security ties that exist but would also grow the U.S. economy and increase people-to-people exchanges.

“Israel is America’s strongest ally and friend in the Middle East and it’s time that Israel is finally permitted to fully participate in our Global Entry program,” said Meng. “By adding Israel, America continues to affirm its unbreakable support for U.S.-Israel relations and strengthens the people-to-people connections for years to come. I want to thank Rep. Mast for co-leading this letter with me and I look forward to hearing back from Acting Secretary McAleenan.”

“The United States’ relationship with Israel is critically important to both countries and global security,” said Mast. “A long list of our allies already benefit from full participation in Global Entry and there’s no doubt that Israel should be added to strengthen security at our border and theirs, as well as increase opportunity for cultural and economic exchange.”

A copy of the Meng-Mast correspondence, and the signatories, can be viewed here. The text of the letter is below.

—————————————————

The Honorable Kevin McAleenan
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Acting Secretary McAleenan:

We write to you in support of Israel’s participation in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Entry program. Over a year ago, all 100 of our colleagues in the United States Senate wrote to you urging the expansion of Global Entry to Israel – an unwavering ally. We write to you today, to ensure that the benefits that Global Entry promises to U.S. tourism, to our country’s national security, and to the U.S.-Israel relationship are realized.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, visits from Israel to the United States have averaged 418,000 people per year for the past three years. Israeli travelers account for $1.2 billion in spending annually, with an average $4,000 in personal spending per trip.

CBP’s Global Entry Program allows expedited entry upon arrival to the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. By removing known, low-risk travelers from the regular screening process, CBP is able to focus resources on potentially riskier unknown travelers.

Since 2012, Israel has been participating in a limited pilot program of Global Entry. Israel’s full participation in this program would grow the U.S. economy, strengthen national security at each of our borders, and increase opportunities for people-to-people exchange, which bolsters our already unique bilateral relationship.

Israel would join a group of allies who benefit from participation in Global Entry, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, the Netherlands, Panama, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Switzerland, Argentina, and India.

We urge you expediently open the full benefits of Global Entry to Israel, and to provide an update to Congress on the status of the current negotiations.

Staten Island Passover/Pesach Bread Burning/Biur Chometz Preparation Coordinated and Arranged by COJO-SI Security Committee, Encompassing, NYPD, FDNY, DSNY, in Conjunction with Shomrim, Hatzolah and Chaverim.

By
Sholom Schreirber
-
0

With Passover season upon us, April 19, 2019, marked the Annual Bread Burning/Biur Chometz which was organized by the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations Security Committee.  This annual holiday event was coordinated by COJO-SI together with the NYPD, FDNY, DSNY, Shomrim, Hatzolah and Chaverim.  The COJO-SI Security Committee oversaw the burning of the chometz, and garbage removal.

COJO-SI gives special thanks the NYPD, FDNY and DSNY for assisting as they always do.  Special thanks are given to Chief Kenneth Corey, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Staten Island, Inspector Matthew Harrington, commanding officer of Precinct 121, Chief Richard Howe, FDNY Staten Island Borough Chief, and Chief Stephen Montanino, DSNY Staten Island Borough Chief.

Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO gives a special thanks to Security Committee and to its Chairs Scott Maurer (COJO CEO & Executive Vice President) and Ari Weiss ( Executive Coordinator of the Staten Island Shomrim) for their efforts in coordinating with the NYPD, FDNY, DSNY and our community.  As always Scott and Ari and the Shomrim Members did an outstanding exemplary job.

As the central coordinating agency for the Island’s Jewish Community, COJO-SI wishes all a Happy Holiday season, a Zisse Pesach and a wonderful spring.

1...2,2592,2602,261...2,275Page 2,260 of 2,275
DONATE NOW
Subscribe Now

© The Jewish Voice. All rights reserved.

Website managed by Napollo

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks