42.4 F
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024
Home Blog Page 2317

Statement From Agudath Israel Following President Trump’s State of the Union Address

0

Agudath Israel of America notes with appreciation that in his State of the Union address President Trump pointed to the anti-Semitic dangers the Jewish people have faced and the reality that even today our people live under a shadow that threatens our security and well-being.

 

The President spoke of the horrors of the Holocaust death camps and their liberation by American troops. He also spoke of the genocidal intent of Iran’s leaders against the State of Israel and America’s commitment to not let those evil designs be realized. And, he commemorated the recent horrific anti-Semitic murder and mayhem in Pittsburgh and the heroism of the city’s first responders.

 

In each of these instances of anti-Semitism — the more distant and the more recent, at home and abroad — the President not only pointed to the horror of hatred but he also highlighted our nation’s resolve to fight against it.

 

In this way, the President used this important pulpit to convey a clear and meaningful message to our nation, and to the nations of the world, that anti-Semitic hatred and violence is antithetical to American ideals and must be – indeed, will be — aggressively fought in thought, speech, and deed.

WJC Report Exposes Antisemitic face of neo-Nazi Lukov March supporters

0

The World Jewish Congress has released a detailed report exposing the undeniably antisemitic language used on social media by the ultra-nationalist promoters and participants of the Lukov March in Bulgaria, a torch-lit demonstration that draws neo-Nazis from across Europe to the capital Sofia each February in honor of General Hristo Lukov, a Nazi collaborator whose movement sent 11,300 Jews to their deaths in the Nazi death camp of Treblinka. The organizers of the march claim not to be antisemitic, but the comments left on its official Facebook page indicate a clear proliferation of Jew-hatred among its supporters against the Bulgarian Jewish community and the Jewish world at large.

One such Facebook post by the organizers, reacting to the WJC efforts in 2018 to stop the march, targeted CEO Executive Vice President Robert Singer, using age-old antisemitic tropes:“No mister, with a name of a brand of sewing machines, the problem of Bulgaria is not Lukovmarch. The problem is that there are people with too long noses like you, who are burning with desire, snooping where they do not belong. But be sure that whatever you do, General. Lukov will receive a worthy honor from the Bulgarian youth!” read the post.

More than 50 publicly accessible comments were written on the post by the followers of the page, many objectively antisemitic in nature and tone, including: “Jews are the ones who sow hate in the world! Crafty and cheeky!” and “These Jews want to be everywhere, they are so busybody. And then they wonder why everyone hates them.”

Trump in SOTU: Tells Congress to “Choose Greatness” in Theme of Unity for the American People

0

After two years of bitter partisanship and acrimonious attacks against him and his policies, President Trump has called for unity and cross-party cooperation in Washington during Tuesday night’s State of the Union address. Pundits have said that this harmonious message will likely ring hollow with Democrats determined to block his push for a border wall. That morose prognostication, however, did not see any manifestations in the Congressional chamber.

Democratic party women leaders dressed in white as a protest of Trump’s attitude toward women, however, they too, stood up and offered the President thunderous applause when he addressed the economic opportunities and advancements that women have seen under his administration.

President Trump’s theme was healing the bipartisan divide and gridlock in Congress for the sake of unifying our nation.

“The agenda I will lay out this evening is not a Republican agenda or Democrat agenda, it is the agenda of the American people. Many of us have campaigned on the same core promises, to defend American jobs and demand fair trade for American workers, to rebuild and revitalize our nation’s infrastructure, to reduce the price of health care and prescription drugs, to create an immigration system that is safe, lawful, modern and secure, and to pursue a foreign policy that puts America’s interests first. There is a new opportunity in American politics, if only we have the courage together to seize it, “ he declared with a resoluteness in his voice.

The commander in chief then hearkened back to the days of World War II to address the point of American sacrifice for the cherished concept of freedom.

“On D-Day, June 6, 1944, 15,000 young American men jumped from the skies, and 60,000 more stormed in from the sea to save our civilization from tyranny. Here with us tonight are three of those incredible heroes. Private first class Joseph Riley, staff Sergeant Erving Walker — and Sergeant Herman Zeitcheck. Gentlemen, we salute you,” said President Trump.

He then lauded the bravery of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was also a guest in the Congressional chamber.

“In 2019, we also celebrate 50 years since brave young pilots flew 1 million miles through space to plant the American flag on the face of the moon. Half a century later, we are joined by one of the Apollo 11 astronauts who planted that flag, Buzz Aldrin. Thank you, Buzz. This year, American astronauts will go back to space in American rockets, “ said President Trump.

Speaking of the future in this 21st century, President Trump said, “Now, we must step boldly and bravely into the next chapter of this great American adventure. We must create a new standard of living for the 21st century. An amazing quality of life for all of our citizens is within reach. We can make our communities safer, our families stronger, our culture richer, our faith deeper, and our middle class bigger and more prosperous than ever before.”

He added that, “Together we can break decades of political stalemate. We can bridge all divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. The decision is ours to make. We must choose between greatness or gridlock, results or resistance, vision or vengeance, incredible progress or pointless destruction. Tonight, I ask you to choose greatness.”

In terms of heralding the extraordinary economic growth that this nation has seen in many decades, the President struck a sanguine note when he declared, “Over the last two years, my administration has moved with an urgency and historic speed to confront problems neglected by leaders of both parties over many decades. In just over two years since the election, we have launched an unprecedented economic boom, a boom that has rarely been seen before. There has been nothing like it. We have created 5.3 million new jobs, and importantly, added 600,000 new manufacturing jobs, something which almost everyone said was impossible to do, but the fact is, we are just getting started.”

He added that “Wages are rising at the fastest pace in decades, and growing for blue-collar workers, who I promise to fight for. They are growing faster than anyone else. Nearly 5 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps. The U.S. economy is growing almost twice as fast today as when I took office, and we are considered far and away the hottest economy anywhere in the world. Not even close. Unemployment has reached the lowest rate in over half a century. African-American, Hispanic American, and Asian-American unemployment have all reached their lowest levels ever recorded.”

Addressing the thorny issue of incessant investigations driven by political expediency into his administration, the President said that these types of divisions only diminish from the explosion of job growth and other remarkable societal advances.

“Friday it was announced we added another 304,000 jobs last month alone, almost double the number expected. An economic miracle is taking place in the United States, and the only thing that can stop it are foolish wars, politics, or ridiculous, partisan investigations. If there is going to be peace in legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. It just does not work that way,” he said.

Illustrating his point that Congress has the ability to overcome policy differences and work in tandem for the betterment of the American people, the President spoke of the progress that has been made in terms of reforming the criminal justice system.

He then introduced a woman named Alice Johnson. “Last year, I heard through friends, the story of Alice Johnson. I was deeply moved. In 1997, Alice was sentenced to life in prison as a first time, nonviolent drug offender. Over the next 22 years, she became a prison minister, inspiring others to choose a better path.

“Alice Johnson’s story underscores the disparities and unfairness that can exist in criminal sentencing, and the need to remedy this total injustice. She served almost that 22 years, and had expected to be in prison for the remainder of her life. In June, I commuted Alice’s sentence. When I saw Alice’s beautiful family greet her at the prison gates, hugging and kissing and crying and laughing, I knew I did something right. Alice is with us tonight, and she is a terrific woman,” the president said. Photo Credit: The White House

She had a big impact on that prison population and far beyond. Alice’s story underscores the disparities and unfairness that can exist in criminal sentencing, and the need to remedy this total injustice. She served almost that 22 years, and had expected to be in prison for the remainder of her life. In June, I commuted Alice’s sentence. When I saw Alice’s beautiful family greet her at the prison gates, hugging and kissing and crying and laughing, I knew I did something right. Alice is with us tonight, and she is a terrific woman,” the president said.

He then introduced the First Step Act to the American people.

“Inspired by stories like Alice’s, my administration worked closely with members of both parties to sign the first step act into law. This legislation reformed sentencing laws that have wrongly and disproportionately harmed the African-American community.

The First Step Act gives nonviolent offenders the chance to reenter society as productive, law-abiding citizens. Now, states across the country are following our lead. America is a nation that believes in redemption.”

“We are also joined tonight by Matthew Charles from Tennessee. In 1996, at the age of 30, Matthew was sentenced to 35 years for selling drugs and related offenses. Over the next two decades, he completed more than 30 Bible studies, became a law clerk, and mentored many of his fellow inmates. Now, Matthew was the very first person to be released from prison under the First Step Act.”

Approaching the contentious issue of building a wall on America’s southern border with Mexico, the President confronted the issue with a straightforward fashion and with a palpable alacrity.

“Republicans and Democrats must join forces again to confront an urgent national crisis. Congress has 10 days left to pass a bill that will fund our government, protect our homeland, and secure are very dangerous southern border. Now is the time for Congress to show the world that America is committed to ending illegal immigration and putting the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers out of business,” President Trump said.

“As we speak, large, organized caravans are on the March to the United States. We have just heard that Mexican cities, in order to remove the illegal immigrants from their communities, are getting trucks and buses to bring them up to our country in areas where there is little border protection. I have ordered another 3750 troops to our southern border to prepare for this tremendous onslaught. This is a moral issue. The lawless state of our southern border is a threat to the safety, security, and financial well-being of all Americans. We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protects the lives and jobs of our citizens.”

He added that, “In the past, most of the people in this room voted for a wall — but the proper wall never got built. I’ll get it built. This is a smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier — not just a simple concrete wall. It will be deployed in the areas identified by border agents as having the greatest need, and as these agents will tell you, where walls go up, illegal crossings go way down.”

He asked that Congress “work together, compromise, and reach a deal that will truly make America safe.”

Trump then scored some unexpected support from the women in the Democratic party who were dressed in white as a reference to the first suffragettes and the genesis of the women’s rights movement.

He said to wild applause and chants of USA, USA! “No one has benefitted more from our thriving economy than women, who have filled 58% of the new jobs created in the last year.

All Americans can be proud that we have more women in the workforce than ever before.

And exactly one century after the Congress passed the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote, we also have more women serving in the Congress than ever before.”

The President then spoke of the historic blunder known as NAFTA. Our new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement — or USMCA — will replace NAFTA and deliver for American workers like they have not had delivered to for a long time.”

He then appealed to Congress to “pass the USMCA into law so we can bring back our manufacturing jobs in greater numbers, expand American agriculture, protect intellectual property, and ensure that more cars are proudly stamped with four beautiful words — made in the U.S.A.”

Trump also took on “Big Pharma” when he addressed the critical issue of soaring prices for prescription drugs. “In 2018 drug prices experienced their single largest decline in 46 years. But we must do more. It is unacceptable that Americans pay vastly more than people in other countries for the exact same drugs, often made in the exact same place. This is wrong, unfair, and together we can stop it. And we will stop it fast.”

At 9 years old, Grace Eline was diagnosed with Germinoma, a germ-cell brain tumor, and in May 2018, Grace started cancer treatment. Throughout the rest of the year, Grace stayed positive and strong, making the rounds in the hospital, cheering up other patients, and always having a smile for the many caring medical professionals who treated her. Grace recently finished chemotherapy and today shows no evidence of the disease. She is determined to help other children who are fighting cancer. Photo Credit: The White House

President Trump also addressed the issues of finding a cure for childhood cancer and introduced 10-year old Grace Eline.

“Last year, Grace was diagnosed with brain cancer. Immediately, she began radiation treatment. At the same time, she rallied her community and raised more than $40,000 for the fight against cancer. When Grace completed treatment last fall, her doctors and nurses cheered — they love to her, they still love her. With tears in their eyes as she hung up a poster that read, “last day of chemo.”

Taking a shot at New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo, President Trump lambasted the legislation passed in New York State that would legalize third trimester abortions and abortions immediately before birth. He even confronted embattled Virginia Governor Ralph Northam who had previously stated that he would stated “he would execute a baby after birth.”

Trump also cogently addressed the issues of American Military build up, bringing troops home from Syria and Afghanistan and said that the US was even in negotiations with the Taliban for a peaceful resolution of this ongoing and bloody conflict in the Middle East.

He spoke of eliminating ISIS forces and restoring civility to a place that had not known such a concept,

Speaking of his upcoming meeting at the end of February with North Korean leader Kim Jung Un, Trump expressed optimism and spoke of the accomplishments that have already been made in terms of nuclear de-escalation.

Throwing his support behind the new interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido, President Trump said, “ We stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom — and we condemn the brutality of the Maduro regime, whose Socialist policies have turned that nation from being the wealthiest in South America into a state of abject poverty and despair.”

Addressing the issue of the alarming escalation of egregious forms of anti-Semitism in America, President Trump referenced the synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh on October 27th.

Judah Samet is a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. In October 2018, he survived the horrific shooting that killed 11 members of his community. Judah is also a survivor of the Holocaust. Judah immigrated to Israel after the war and was present for the declaration of the Israeli State in 1948. He served as a paratrooper and radio man in the Israeli Defense Forces and moved to the United States in the 1960s. Photo Credit: The White House

“Just months ago, 11 Jewish-Americans were viciously murdered in an anti-semitic attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. SWAT Officer Timothy Matson raced into the gunfire and was shot seven times chasing down the killer. Timothy has just had his 12th surgery — but he made the trip to be here with us tonight.”

“Tonight, we are also joined by Pittsburgh survivor Judah Samet. He arrived at the synagogue as the massacre began. But not only did Judah narrowly escape death last fall — more than seven decades ago, he narrowly survived the Nazi concentration camps. Today is Judah’s 81st birthday. Judah says he can still remember the exact moment, nearly 75 years ago, after 10 months in a concentration camp, when he and his family were put on a train, and told they were going to another camp. Suddenly the train screeched to a halt. A soldier appeared. Judah’s family braced for the worst. Then, his father cried out with joy: “It’s the Americans.”

Joshua Kaufman endured the horrors of Auschwitz and survived the Dachau Concentration Camp, where he was saved by American soldiers. By the end of the war, Joshua had lost most of his family. He left Europe for Israel in 1949 and joined the Israel Defense Forces, fighting in several wars. Photo Credit: The White House

“A second Holocaust survivor who is here tonight, Joshua Kaufman, was a prisoner at Dachau Concentration Camp. He remembers watching through a hole in the wall of a cattle car as American soldiers rolled in with tanks. “To me,” Joshua recalls, “the American soldiers were proof that God exists, and they came down from the sky.”

President Trump concluded his address with soaring rhetoric that brought his theme of cooperation, harmony and unity for the sake of the people of the United States into the hearts and minds of those listening.

“I ask the men and women of this Congress: Look at the opportunities before us! Our most thrilling achievements are still ahead. Our most exciting journeys still await. Our biggest victories are still to come. We have not yet begun to dream. We must choose whether we are defined by our differences — or whether we dare to transcend them.”

“We must choose whether we will squander our inheritance — or whether we will proudly declare that we are Americans. We do the incredible. We defy the impossible. We conquer the unknown.”

Elan Carr, Former LA Prosecutor, Appointed by WH as Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism

0

Elan Carr, a former prosecutor in the Los Angeles district attorney’s office, was appointed as the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, according to the Jewish Insider web site and several other sources. This position, established by the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004, has been vacant since January 20, 2017.

According to the Jewish Insider report, last September, the House of Representatives first passed the “Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2018,” which requires the president to appoint an official to the post within 90 days of its passage, and within 120 days of the position’s vacancy.

From 2012 to 2014, Carr served as Alpha Epsilon Pi’s ‘Supreme Master’ on the fraternity’s ‘Supreme Board of Governors.’

Jewish Insider reported that Carr is a veteran of the United States Army and served as a judge in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corp. He was also a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County. In 2014, Carr ran against Rep. Ted Lieu in an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sheldon Adelson has been a significant donor to Carr’s recent political campaigns, donating $100,000 in support of Carr’s bid for Los Angeles County supervisor in 2016.

In a statement sent to the media the Agudath Israel of America, (the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish organization) said that they “welcome President Trump’s selection of Mr. Elan Carr to the position of State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Mr. Carr is an experienced and distinguished public servant and a prominent leader in the Jewish community of Los Angeles.”

The Agudath added that, “Mr. Carr’s commitment and his unique skills make him an excellent choice to effectively lead the United States’ fight against global anti-Semitism. Agudath Israel California activist Stanley Treitel reacted to the news by observing that, “I know Elan for many years as fighter for Jewish causes and against anti-Semitism in a variety of contexts. I congratulate his appointment as the State Department’s Special Envoy on Anti-Semitism.”

“The recent horrific synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh compels us to recognize that anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, it is a problem that threatens the core values of American society: democracy, free speech, and freedom of religion.,” said IAC (Israeli American Council) Chairman of the Board Adam Milstein. “Elan Carr brings a depth of experience and insights as a prosecutor, military officer, and devoted leader in the Israeli-American and Jewish communities. We believe there is nobody more qualified to combat anti-Semitism head-on across the globe.”

“We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Elan Carr, a close friend of the IAC, as he steps into his crucial role,” said IAC CEO Shoham Nicolet. “We thank the Secretary of State for making it a priority in the face of rising anti-Semitic hate movements in American and beyond. This appointment is an important milestone for our community, and we stand behind Elan in his role defending not only the Jewish people, but also the values of America and the free world.”

Northam Refuses to Resign in “Blackface” Controversy; Claims He was Not in Pic

0

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam repeated on Monday that he would not resign over a photograph in his medical school yearbook showing a man in blackface standing next to a person dressed as a Ku Klux Klan member.

In comments to reporters, Northam said, “I am neither of the people in that photo.” He said he did not buy a copy of the 1984 yearbook in which the picture appears, and he was unaware until Friday that the picture was even there.

He also said, “That is not me in that photo. … That is not who I am.”

He also said, “It was horrific, and the fact that it was on my page was just unacceptable.”

Northam said he and his staff would continue to work to prove that he wasn’t in the photo.

The governor said he submitted the other three photos on his page in the school yearbook and that he suspected the placing of the racist photo was the result of a mix-up. Responding to a question from a reporter, he said there were multiple episodes of blackface use at the medical school.

He said if he had posed for that picture, “I would have remembered that.” He added, “My belief that I did not wear that costume or attend that party where the offending photo was taken. It stems from my clear memory of other mistakes that I made in that same year of my life.”

Northam admitted that during that year, when he was 25, he appeared in blackface for a dance contest in San Antonio, Texas, in which he impersonated the late pop star Michael Jackson. He expressed remorse for that event, saying he had learned since then why “blackfacing,” as he called it, is offensive. He said upon learning that lesson and discussing it with a younger employee, he vowed never to appear in blackface again.

Northam said Saturday: “Today I am not ready to ask Virginians to grant me forgiveness for my past actions. … I am asking for the opportunity to earn your forgiveness.”

The New York Times reported that since the story broke on Friday, Northam has been making calls to political allies and former classmates in attempts to shore up support and get more information about the photo.

CNN said classmates had told Northam that some yearbook photos were mixed up.

Many of Northam’s former allies said he could not stay in office after Friday’s apology for the photo.

In a video statement Friday, Northam said the photo does not reflect the person he is today. He added that “I cannot change the decisions I made, nor can I undo the harm my behavior caused then and today. But I accept responsibility for my past actions and I am ready to do the hard work of regaining your trust.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both Democrats, released statements on Saturday calling for Northam to resign.

Biden tweeted Northam “has lost all moral authority” and said Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who is African-American, should move into the governor’s office. Pelosi said Northam should “do the right thing” by stepping down and letting Virginians “heal and move forward.”

The Congressional Black Caucus and the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus also urged Northam to step down.

“Ralph Northam has had three decades to know better but only now does he acknowledge this racist act,” the Congressional Black Caucus posted on Twitter. “An apology now isn’t enough. He must resign.”

  (VOA)

Dem Reps Signal Support for U.S. Recognition of Israeli Sovereignty Over Golan Heights

0
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D., N.Y.) said she would support U.S. recognition of Israel's sovereignty over the region if Democratic leadership is on board. "If our leadership supports it, I don’t see what the problem is," Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D., N.Y.) said. "So I will be supporting it, but only if it goes through the [House Foreign Affairs Committee] and is supported by the committee." Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Two Democratic lawmakers from New York signalled on Monday that they might support the United States officially recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

“The only thing the Golan has ever been used for by the Syrians is to bombard Israel,” Rep. Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) told Jewish Insider. “They can’t have that again. It’s unsafe.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D., N.Y.) said she would support U.S. recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the region if Democratic leadership is on board.

“If our leadership supports it, I don’t see what the problem is,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D., N.Y.) said. “So I will be supporting it, but only if it goes through the [House Foreign Affairs Committee] and is supported by the committee.”

Israel has maintained control over the contested region for 51 years after taking control in 1967 during the Six Day War. Israel defended itself during the conflict from attacks brought by Syria and other Arab nations in the region. In 1981, Israel annexed the Golan Heights. Since then, the U.S. has refused to recognize the region as sovereign territory of Jewish state.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) introduced a resolution in December of last year that would have the Senate recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed the matter with John Bolton, the U.S. national security advisor, when the two met last month.

Democratic support for the measure appears to be growing. Rep. Eliot Engel (D., N.Y.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said last month that he supports the measure.

“I think that Golan Heights is part of Israel and should remain part of Israel for strategic purposes. I also think that because of the situation it would be good for the United States, too. Whoever may take over Syria may try to recapture the Golan Heights,” Engel said.

A spokesman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) also said in January, “Israel should maintain control of the Golan Heights.”

It is unclear if Democratic leadership in the House would move forward with such a measure because of an increasingly hostile view some young Democrats have of Israel. Two new members of the Democratic Caucus, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

(Washington Free Beacon)

Senate Approves Bill Including Anti-BDS Measures, Aid to Israel

0
The Senate last week voted to advance the bill, sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Senate approves by 77-23 majority a bill that codifies defense assistance to Israel and provides legal cover to states that target BDS

The Senate on Tuesday approved in a 77-23 vote a bill that codifies $38 billion in defense assistance to Israel and which provides legal cover to states that target the boycott Israel movement, JTA reports.

The Senate last week voted to advance the bill, sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).

The bill’s other components reinforce the US-Jordan relationship and add sanctions on Syria’s Assad regime. All four components resurrect bills that failed to pass in the last Congress.

The bill had stirred controversy because a number of Democratic senators said that while they oppose the BDS movement, they were also concerned that state laws aimed at BDS impinged on speech freedoms.

One of the legislation’s fiercest opponents has been Independent Jewish Senator Bernie Sanders who caucuses with the Democrats. Sanders tweeted earlier this month, “It’s absurd that the first bill during the shutdown is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity.”

Also speaking out against the Rubio bill was newly elected Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who quoted Sanders’ tweet and added, “They forgot what country they represent. This is the U.S. where boycotting is a right & part of our historical fight for freedom & equality.”

Among the Democratic dissenters are declared presidential candidates like Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Kamala Harris of California. Rubio, writing Wednesday in The New York Times, defended the bill against charges that it would violate free speech.

Democrats supporting the anti-BDS component included Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), according to JTA.

The bill now goes to the US House of Representatives where the Democratic majority will break it up into its components, and its leadership is likely to bury the anti-BDS section while advancing the other components.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee praised the Senate for passing the bill and defended the anti-BDS component and urged the House to bass all the bill’s provisions.

“The legislation has no impact on the right of Americans to personally boycott Israel or oppose Israeli policies,” AIPAC said. “The bill’s scope is limited to commercial activities between companies and state and local governments.”

The American Civil Liberties Union complained that “the Senate chose politics over the Constitution and trampled on the First Amendment rights of all Americans.”

            (INN)

Trump Picks Energy Lobbyist David Bernhardt as New Interior Secretary

0
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has picked former energy lobbyist David Bernhardt to be the Interior Department’s next secretary. Photo Credit: Yahoo Finance

Trump names former energy lobbyist David Bernhardt to be the Interior Department’s next secretary

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has picked former energy lobbyist David Bernhardt to be the Interior Department’s next secretary.

“I am pleased to announce that David Bernhardt, Acting Secretary of the Interior, will be nominated as Secretary of the Interior,” Trump tweeted.

“David has done a fantastic job from the day he arrived, and we look forward to having his nomination officially confirmed!” he added.

Bernhardt, whose past clients include oil companies and others with business before the Interior Department, will lead an agency that oversees about 500 million acres as well as the energy production on that land, according to The Hill.

He became the agency’s deputy secretary in 2017 and has led the department on an interim basis since former Secretary Ryan Zinke resigned amid ethics scandals in January. In the weeks since Zinke’s departure, Bernhardt has risen to the top of the list as the most likely candidate Trump would choose for the post.

Trump will have to send Bernhardt’s nomination to the Senate, where a majority of senators will be needed to approve him.

“It’s a humbling privilege to be nominated to lead a department whose mission I love, to accomplish the balanced, common sense vision of our President,” Bernhardt said in a statement Monday.

The department has 70,000 employees in various agencies overseeing federal land, offshore drilling, endangered species and American Indian affairs, among other duties.

As deputy secretary, Bernhardt, a Colorado native, worked hand in hand with Zinke on his oil and gas leasing agenda and took the lead on many others, including the administration’s push to drill in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the rollback of a number of Endangered Species Act regulations.

Bernhardt has worked at Interior in various capacities, including solicitor during the George W. Bush administration.

He has also had multiple stints at the lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, representing clients including Eni Petroleum, Sempra Energy, Halliburton Energy Services, Targa Energy, Noble Energy and the Westlands Water District.

Under ethics standards, he has recused himself from matters involving so many former clients that he carries a card with him listing the recusals.

(INN)

Shurat Hadin Informs 22 US States that Airbnb Policy Violates BDS Law

0

Nitsana DarshanLeitner: ‘Israel Law Center will continue to fight Airbnb in every legal arena until they walk back discriminatory policy.’

Shurat Hadin – The Israel Law Center President Nitsana Darshan-Leitner has written to twenty-two State Legislatures across the United States to inform them that Airbnb should be held accountable by law for enacting its recent boycott of Jewish-owned properties in Judea and Samaria that violates their state’s Anti-Boycott laws.

The letter explained that anti-BDS legislation “was enacted to ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to do business with or otherwise support any state or private entity that engages in discriminatory actions against individuals under the pretext of exercising First Amendment rights, and specifically discriminatory actions taken against individuals of the Jewish faith under the pretext of a constitutionally protected boycott or protest of the State of Israel.”

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner added: “Airbnb is in clear violation of the state-wide anti-BDS statutes and must be brought to justice. It is not acceptable that in the year 2019, American companies can publicly boycott Jewish-owned business without fear of legal retribution. Shurat Hadin – The Israel Law Center will continue to fight Airbnb in every legal arena until they walk back this discriminatory and anti-Semitic policy.”

Shurat HaDin works with Western intelligence agencies, law enforcement branches, and a network of volunteer lawyers across the globe to file legal actions on behalf of terror victims. Shurat HaDin is at the forefront of fighting terrorism and safeguarding Jewish rights worldwide and is dedicated to protecting the State of Israel. By defending against lawfare suits, fighting academic and economic boycotts, and challenging those who seek to delegitimize the Jewish State, Shurat HaDin utilizes court systems around the world to go on the legal offensive against Israel’s enemies.

The Jewish Voice had previously reported that on January 15th, the campaign calling on Airbnb to revert their ill-conceived decision to place a ban of Jewish hosts in the Judea and Samaria region of Israel gained a formidable sense of gravitas when newly elected Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that state sanctions may be imposed against businesses that engage in the BDS movement.

“BDS is nothing more than a cloak for anti-Semitism, and as long as I’m governor, BDS will be dead on arrival. I cannot wait to strengthen the already unwavering bond between Florida and the great State of Israel,” Governor DeSantis declared.

“Airbnb claims it’s a company of inclusion and yet this policy only affects Jews who have homes on the West Bank. It doesn’t appear to apply to anyone else on the face of the earth,” he told the Tampa Bay Times.

He added: “We have a moral obligation to oppose the Airbnb policy. It does target Jews specifically. I think that’s wrong.”

Responding to Governor DeSantis’ position on Airbnb, former New York State Assemblyman and chairman of the Coalition for a Positive America Dov Hikind said “The question now is will our very own governor of New York who likes to proudly proclaim his pro-Israel credentials courageously follow suit? Or will he choose to remain silent? My hope is that he’ll do the right thing.”

Assemblyman Hikind who represented the largest district of Jewish residents in New York for 35 years added, “There are currently more than 50 ‘disputed territories’ around the world, from Tibet to Crimea, but Airbnb singled out the Jewish State of Israel for targeted removal. “Only the Jewish listings were removed. If it’s truly a ‘disputed territory’ why didn’t they simply remove all listings from the disputed area until the conflict is resolved? We’ve seen boycotts of Jews and Jewish businesses before, but we won’t jump to making that comparison just yet. Airbnb, as well as our government, still have time to correct their course before we’re left with but one conclusion.”

(INN & JV)

Riots Break Out at Bklyn Jail; Prisoners Without Power & Heat for Over a Week

0
Looking southwest at Sunset Park US jail. Public Domain photo; all may use for all purposes.

Demonstrators broke into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn last week, claiming that it had been without power or heat for more than a week.

The demonstrators reportedly were halted by a team of correction officers inside, who used pepper spray to move them back out to the street.

“The attempt to enter the jail happened just after noon when a woman, Yvonne Morilla, 51, of Queens, walked up to the door crying, “That’s my son! You got to let me go!” the New York Times reported, adding, “The scene devolved into a brief episode of chaos, with protesters pushing against the officers. After apparently getting sprayed, a woman fled the building, waving her hand in front of her face and coughing. The federal bureau of prisons did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”

The Federal Bureau of Prisons issued an official statement over the weekend on behalf of the jail’s management, noting that a new electrical panel had been installed by an outside contractor that day and that the “facility is working to restore power as expeditiously as possible.” It continued, “Inmates have hot water for showers and hot water in the sinks in the cell. Essential personal hygiene items and medical services continue to be provided.”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Sunday demanded the Justice Department investigate the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

In a statement, he said, “Disturbing reports have surfaced that the federal government left more than a thousand prisoners without heat, hot water or electricity during subzero temperatures at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. No one in New York should live in fear that they may freeze to death alone in the dark. “These allegations are a violation of human decency and dignity. They also raise questions of potential violations of law. Government owes a fundamental responsibility to serve all people and the Federal Bureau of Prisons needs to live up to that responsibility. I want answers, those responsible held accountable, and assurances that this will not happen again.

“Today, I am calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to immediately investigate the circumstances at the Metropolitan Detention Center,” he continued. “New York State stands ready to provide any support necessary to keep the heat, hot water and electricity running at the Center and augment the investigation into those responsible for this mess. Prisoners in New York are human beings. Let’s treat them that way.”

Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler, whose district encompasses sections of Brooklyn and Manhattan, denounced spoke out against the apparent lack of power and heat, and pointed the finger of blame at the federal facility’s warden and prison management.

Indeed, Nadler has made prisons – specifically, prison reform – a major part of his program. In remarks on the House floor only weeks ago, he strongly supported S. 756, the FIRST STEP Act. He noted, “This legislation has traveled a long journey to get to this point. Along the way, various aspects of the bill changed. Although I do not agree with all of the changes, on balance the measure has improved, thanks to the hard work of many Members on both sides of the aisle, from the House and Senate.”

Nadler said the bill “makes a number of reforms to our federal sentencing laws. It also establishes a new system to provide incentives to some federal prisoners to participate in programs that will reduce the risk that they will commit crimes once they are released.”

NYPD Opens Files on Disciplinary Actions Against Cops; Lack of Transparency Cited

0
In June 2018, NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill appointed a three-person panel of highly-respected experts to perform an autonomous, exhaustive review of the NYPD discipline system, and make recommended changes to improve it. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The NYPD says it will peel back some of the layers that some charge have been hiding the process of disciplining police officers.

Last week, police commissioner James P. O’Neill, said he would begin opening the files on departmental trials, and spoke out positively about legislation aimed at making more disciplinary records public.

The commissioner’s statement followed an independent commission report that found “almost a complete lack of transparency and public accountability” in the department’s system for investigating misconduct, according to the New York Times.

O’Neill said that the NYPD is accepting the Independent Panel’s complete list of recommendations to improve the NYPD disciplinary system. The Commissioner convened the Independent Panel earlier this year and today outlined the plan to carry out those changes.

He also announced an NYPD Implementation Panel will now administer the operational, legal and budgetary plan to enact all recommendations. Some of the recommendations can be implemented in the short-term, over the next 30-60 days. Another set of changes will require additional time to take effect. The NYPD will also ask an outside entity to perform an external audit of the overall implementation process.

“I offer my deep and sincere thanks to members of the panel, and their staffs, who have donated their valuable time, skills and efforts to perform a vital public service to New York City,” O’Neill said in a statement. “A fair, clear and consistent discipline system is essential to the police and public alike, and the twin virtues of transparency and accountability are essential to building mutual trust and respect between cops and the communities they serve.”

According to the NYPD, the following recommendations will be put into place in the short-term, within the next 30-60 days:

The Department should support amendments to 50-a to increase transparency and enhance accountability

The NYPD must guard against unwarranted expansion of the scope of 50-a

The NYPD should also enhance its public reporting in line with that of other agencies

The NYPD should publish trial room calendars

The Police Commissioner should enhance the documentation of variances from disciplinary recommendations.

O’Neill named First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin B. Tucker as the chair of the NYPD Implementation Panel. As part of their work, the Implementation Panel will identify an external organization to audit the NYPD’s reformed disciplinary system.

In June 2018, Commissioner O’Neill appointed a three-person panel of highly-respected experts to perform an autonomous, exhaustive review of the NYPD discipline system, and make recommended changes to improve it. The panel had the full cooperation of the Department during their seven-month review — including unfettered access to all requested documents, information and interviews, and complete independence to explore any and all elements of the disciplinary system. On Friday, January 25, 2019 the panel shared the final report with the NYPD, and on February 1st released it publicly.

Schumer Aid Booted for Inappropriate Sexual Conduct with Junior Staffers

0

Matt House, the veteran communications director for Sen. Chuck Schumer, was reportedly squeezed out following the November midterm elections for allegedly having inappropriate sexual contact with junior staffers, according to a spokesperson.

In a statement to the New York Post, House reportedly said, “I absolutely loved my time working in the senate and it was the honor of my life. I deeply regret the mistakes I made on the number of occasions when I had too much to drink, and I apologize to anyone who was affected by my behavior. I have always respected all of my colleagues and I was horrified to learn that I made anyone feel uncomfortable. In the past three months, I’ve stopped drinking and I’ve committed to making myself a better colleague and person.”

As Fox News has reported, House’s departure “was another sign of turmoil among the staffs of top Democrats. In December a senior adviser to U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., resigned over inquiries about a $400,000 harassment lawsuit against him while working at the California Department of Justice. In August, reports surfaced that a longtime driver for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., was suspected of spying on behalf of the Chinese.”

“A source who spoke to HuffPost on the condition of anonymity reported that no legal complaints were filed against House as a result of the inappropriate behavior,” according to The Daily Mail. It added, “Prior to working for Schumer, House served in a series of communications-related roles including in Sen Joe Biden’s Democratic 2008 presidential campaign and in former New Hampshire Rep Paul Hodes’ congressional office. News of his departure from Schumer’s office was met with bipartisan praise for House as well as speculation regarding why he was leaving. The senate minority leader has not commented publicly on the matter.”

Frontpagemag.com had some jibes in reporting House’s departure, noting dryly, “Top Democrats can’t seem to stop hiring sexual harassers. Senator Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Bill de Blasio in New York and Governor Bullock in Montana have all been embroiled in sexual harasser staff scandals in just January and December.”

“House went to work as communications director for Chuck Schumer in June 2013,” according to Heavy.com. The site added, “Earlier, from 2011 to 2012, he worked as a press secretary for the New York senator. During the years House spent as communications director, he garnered high praise for his work steering Schumer’s office. Politico named House to its “power list” of Capitol Hill staffers in 2017, calling him one of the “sharpest operators” on Capitol Hill. And in 2014, Roll Call named House to its “fabulous 50” list, a grouping of what Roll Call says are “Capitol Hill’s leading staffers – the people behind the scenes who wield the power and drive their party’s message.”

String of Vicious Attacks on Jews in Crown Heights Continues; 2 Charged in Hate Crime

0

Two men are under arrest and another is still on the loose after police say they attacked an Orthodox Jewish man in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn early Wednesday morning, as was reported by ABC News.

Authorities say 18-year-old Navar Walters, 20-year-old Teshon Bannister and an unidentified third man punched and kicked a 51-year-old man on President Street between Albany and Troy Ave, at approximately 1:00 am when the gang of three began targeting Jewish men on the block.

According to a report on the Crown Heights Info web site “their first victim, an older man, was pushed to the ground before being pummeled mercilessly with punches and kicks to his face and body. The beating, caught on video, only ended when the three suddenly broke away and fled.

Just a few minutes later, the gang targeted a second man. The second victim was younger, and put up a fight, screaming for help and struggling with them.

Witnesses and victims immediately called 911 and Crown Heights Shomrim, who were both there in moments.

As they canvassed the area looking for the gang, a group matching the description of the gang was located on Crown St and Troy Ave. When the NYPD stopped the group, they attempted to flee. Two were caught, while the third got away.

The assailants were charged with Hate Crimes and Assault by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force.

The victim was taken to NYU Langone Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Wednesday’s attack was the latest in a series of alarming assaults on members of the Orthodox Jewish community in Crown Heights over the last three months.

In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, the head of the Crown Heights-based Jewish Future Alliance said, “Some 10 people were violently attacked in the last 60 days alone.”

Behrman said his group condemned “in the strongest possible terms these type of cowardly attacks on innocent civilians, and we call on the NYPD to drastically increase police presence throughout the community.”

Behrman continued: “We ask what is going wrong in Crown Heights, when innocent Jews are being beaten in the streets in 2019? Is there an atmosphere that is encouraging violence or antisemitism? And, an equally important question, where is the public outrage? Indeed, why isn’t this front page headlines?”

Evan R. Bernstein, regional director of ADL New York / New Jersey said, “We are sickened by this horrific violence, and increasingly alarmed by rising tensions in the community in the wake of similar incidents. These crimes are unacceptable, and they must stop. We must work together to stem the tide of antisemitic violence in Brooklyn.”

NY’s Dept of Housing Development Head Leaves Post; Moves on to Ford Foundation

1
Maria Torres-Springer will be the latest person close to Mayor Bill de Blasio to step down from a position. This time, it’s his leader of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Photo Credit: Twitter

Maria Torres-Springer will be the latest person close to Mayor Bill de Blasio to step down from a position. This time, it’s his leader of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Torres-Springer will leave her post next month and move on to work for the Ford Foundation, according to Crain’s.

Torres-Springer helped the mayor across many agencies during her tenure. She worked for Small Business Services and then moved onto the Economic Development Corporation, which tries to re-energize and reimagine commercial districts and areas. She became the mayor’s housing head a couple of years back and spent her time there helping to make some rezonings possible that stirred up community emotion.

“No one has been more important in our fight to make New York the fairest big city in America than Maria Torres-Springer,” de Blasio said in a statement, adding that “whether advancing rezonings or developing a record number of affordable homes, I have turned to her time and again to tackle the toughest issues facing our city.” She joins other recent notable departure announcements.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Ford Foundation hopes her experience and expertise will help the foundation address the problems of poverty. After all, millions of children go to sleep hungry every night in the richest country in the history of mankind.

The New York City Housing Authority’s public image has been in need of serious repair. The agency that was supposed to help improve public housing conditions covered up the problems instead, according to a lawsuit the federal government announced against NYCHA last summer.

New York must invest at least $2.2 billion into housing projects over the next five years, but U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman also said unidentified individuals could face criminal charges going back as far as at least 2010.

NYCHA managers used lies and deception to cover up the squalid condition of public housing. They also filed false documents, tricked federal inspectors and betrayed the 400,000 tenants who have long endured heartbreaking conditions and the growing sense that nothing will ever change.

Berman said that the authority lied about issues including mold infestation and rat burrows. He said NYCHA underplayed how bad the lead poisoning of children in public housing really was. NYCHA didn’t even count the people affected by lead, which can cause irreversible brain damage and is not considered safe at any level of exposure.

The New York Post detailed other tactics that included shutting off water service to entire buildings in Brooklyn and the Bronx to hide leaking pipes. Workers locked basement rooms with “dangerous or unsanitary conditions,” then posted signs saying, “Danger: Do Not Enter,” to keep inspectors out, the feds said. The suit also said that workers stuffed paper or cork into wall holes and then painted over them instead of just fixing them. One ex-NYCHA manager made workers use foam spray to mask holes. Workers had a “Quick Fix Tips” list that they would use to make last-minute cover-ups to deceive federal inspectors.

Jerry Seinfeld Hit with Lawsuit for Selling Bogus 1958 Porsche for $1.5M

0
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is reportedly the target of a lawsuit by a firm that insists it bought his 1958 Porsche for $1.5 million, then later found it to be a fake. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is reportedly the target of a lawsuit by a firm that insists it bought his 1958 Porsche for $1.5 million, then later found it to be a fake.

According to Vos Iz Neias, Fica Frio Limited’s lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court against a comic known for his love of vintage cars.

“The lawsuit said Fica Frio’s representatives paid $1.54 million at a March 2016 auction in Amelia Island, Florida. The price included the 10 percent auction house commission,” said Vos Iz Neias. “The lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages including the costs associated with the purchase, said they learned the car was not authentic. Fica Frio is based in the Channel Islands.”

The Associated Press reports that “According to the lawsuit, Seinfeld left a voicemail last June apologizing and promising a full refund. But it said the refund never came. Seinfeld’s lawyer, Orin Snyder, said the comedian acted in good faith.

“He has asked Fica Frio for evidence to substantiate the allegations. Fica Frio ignored Jerry and instead filed this frivolous lawsuit,” Snyder said in a statement, according to AP. “Still, Snyder said, Seinfeld “is willing to do what’s right and fair, and we are confident the court will support the need for an outside evaluator to examine the provenance of the car.”

Seinfeld’s current television show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, follows him around as he interviews other comedians while driving in fancy, vintage vehicles. Seinfeld is a collector of vintage cars, according to Newsday.

According to a report by Newsday, Seinfeld acted upon the issue upon receiving the notice. “The comedian left a voicemail in June to “offer my apology for this nuisance and assure you that you will be completely indemnified,” according to the lawsuit. He also “would love to know how your guys figured it out because I find that to be interesting cause that’s impressive my guys did not I guess see anything amiss with the car when I bought it,” noted Motor1.com.

The controversy may serve to ramp up interest in the Netflix show. Episodes feature Seinfeld introducing a vintage car selected for a guest comedian, followed by a drive to a pre-selected café or restaurant for coffee. Episodes diverge from the format spontaneously, as when Michael Richards implores Seinfeld to take a side street, when Seinfeld returns after coffee with Carl Reiner to join him for dinner with Mel Brooks—or when car trouble arises. As of May 2015, the series had been streamed nearly 100 million times, according to Wikipedia. In January 2017, it was announced that Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee would migrate from Crackle to Netflix starting with the show’s tenth season.

Downtown Manhattan Residents Irked by Times Square Style “Neon Lights”

0

The brighter the lights in Gotham, the darker, apparently, the mood.

Denizens of downtown Manhattan say they don’t care for the profusion of decorative lighting.

The addition of eye-catching, nightclub-bright neon to building facades down in the Financial District is making locals irritable.

“You shouldn’t take a neighborhood like ours and make it like Times Square,” Joan Randell, a retiree living on Beekman Street, told the New York Post this week. “It’s a classy neighborhood with old, beautiful buildings. My apartment is beautiful. I look over City Hall Park, and people who live in this building — it’s almost 140 years old, it’s a landmarked building — and we like a certain style. We don’t want to be in a disco all night.”

Rush Perez, a spokesman for Manhattan Councilwoman Margaret Chin, told the Post, “Among some of these new developments, there seems to be a tendency to view FiDi or TriBeCa with the same lens as you view Times Square. The perception is they are not residential, but they are.”

As local resident Robert Skula said at a community board meeting, as reported by eBroadstreet, “The displays on the outside of those buildings are brighter than the spotlights on the top of the Empire State Building. Every 30 minutes, they start a three-minute show with pinwheels and flashing strobes.” He said more than 50 tenants at 71 Broadway have filed 311 complaints about the lights since they were installed last July.

The message is getting through to city fathers. Last year, New York began replacing some of its 250,000 street lights with lower-brightness bulbs in answer to complaints. According to the Post, roughly 150 complaints were registered back in 2016 after the $75 million changer-over to LED bulbs began. Mayor Bill de Blasio even noted during a radio interview that changes were being made in direct response to the volley of complaints.

Perhaps Manhattanites’ sentiment was expressed best by manufacturer Mega LED Technology in an essay titled Use Your LED Sign For Good, Not Evil. It reads, in part: “Yes, your LED sign is yours. But other people have to look at it too, and there’s a big reason why you don’t want to be that guy when it comes to advertising: Your brand will suffer, and so will your sales… Your business doesn’t exist separately from your community. That’s never more apparent than with LED advertising, since the medium literally takes up a chunk of the local real estate. Do your business a favor—set yourself apart from the crowd by adopting these LED best practices, and stay on your neighbors’ good side.”