Antisemitism is growing worse on the left. And on the right.
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But for how long? The book ends with disaster averted and Mordecai and Esther enjoying royal favor. Yet Ahasuerus — as vainglorious, amoral, and mercurial as ever — remains firmly on the throne. What assurance do Persia's Jews have that the capricious king who first endorsed genocide and then countermanded it isn't going to reverse course again? One of the timeless lessons of Purim and the Book of Esther is that when society is ruled by depraved or unstable people, no one is safe — especially not vulnerable or vilified minorities like the Jews.
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Again and again across the centuries, Jewish communities that believed themselves secure and welcome woke up to find themselves targeted by haters. Ten or 15 years ago it was still possible to believe that 21st-century America could never succumb to such antisemitic frenzy. But anyone with eyes to see knows better now.
In the wake of Oct. 7, 2023, Jew-hatred that was once confined to the fringes has spread toward the mainstream.
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It is rare now to see a synagogue that doesn't employ armed guards to keep worshipers safe. Jewish schools have had to
Antisemitic attitudes
both
sides.
For many years it was an article of faith among liberals, including liberal Jews, that antisemitism in America was
Republican leaders, to both their credit and their political advantage, have focused a spotlight on the eruption of antisemitic speech and demonstrations at
Unfortunately, too many conservatives and Republicans are making the mistake that partisans on the left used to make and refusing to acknowledge that antisemitism on their side of the aisle remains a serious problem. During the 2024 campaign,
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Yet the same administration that is targeting Columbia for tolerating antisemitism has just elevated a Pentagon spokesperson, Kingsley Wilson, who has
The Book of Esther opens with the description of an opulent party hosted by Ahasuerus — a party, the Talmudic sages taught, to which the cream of Persian Jewry was invited. The Jews of that era imagined that their position was secure, only to learn how quickly their stability could collapse once the air was poisoned with antisemitism. For Jews, vigilance is always imperative. From Haman to Hitler to Hamas and its supporters,
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Albanese accused of Palestine 'mess', surprise statistic despite Coles and Woolworths crackdown, commuter horror as train crashes
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Thursday. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says Anthony Albanese has made "a mess" of Australia's position on the Israel-Gaza war. Her comments come after Hamas welcomed the prime minister's call to recognise a Palestinian state. Supermarket prices have risen at their highest rate in five years, new research shows. That's despite the Albanese government promising to significant action to ensure Australians can afford their weekly shop. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. The $750k Powerball winner has missed out on The mystery punter who scored June's incredible $100 million Powerball jackpot has made a costly $750,000 mistake by failing to step forward and reveal their identity. The prize money remains unclaimed despite an intensifying search for the winner, who purchased the unregistered ticket from a Bondi Junction newsagent in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Other than that, little is known about the new multimillionaire despite several theories emerging, including that the winner could even be a tourist. It's been nine weeks since the unknown player won the hefty sum. If, theoretically, they had taken their winnings and put it in a term deposit or something similar, earning somewhere around the market rate of 4.5 per cent, they would have made an extra $750,000 in the last two months alone in pre-tax income. That's about the median price of an apartment in Sydney's notoriously expensive housing market. Read more about what lottery officials are doing to find the mystery winner here. Surprise supermarket reveal despite Albo crackdown While the Albanese government has vowed to crack down on inflated supermarket prices, putting market leaders Coles and Woolworths on notice not much has changed in the past 12 months it seems. In fact, according to Canstar Blue research, the situation is the worst its been in the past five years. Research found the average spend on weekly groceries for a household of four had increased 11 per cent in the last year to $240. 'That's the biggest annual jump recorded in the last five years, and likely no surprise to anyone who's been at the checkout lately,' Canstar Blue spokesperson Eden Radford said. Opposition Leader blasts Albanese after Hamas praise Sussan Ley says Anthony Albanese is 'making a real mess' after Hamas praised his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. Hamas, the Islamist militants behind the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, overnight issued statements to Australian media saying it welcomed any support to 'help the Palestinian people achieve their national goals'. The group - a registered terrorist organisation in Australia - runs Gaza, where Israel has waged a 22-month war in a bid to wipe it out and rescue hostages taken the October 7 assault. The Opposition Leader said on Thursday the Prime Minister needed to rethink his decision. 'On the same day, a listed terror organisation calls our Prime Minister a hero, while our closest ally, the US, says that these actions are going to make peace in the region less likely,' Ms Ley told Nine's Today. 'So it's really quite extraordinary, because remember, the Prime Minister used justification for this decision by saying Hamas would not be involved. 'And I saw the Treasurer yesterday saying, oh, Hamas will have no role in a future Palestinian state. Really? As if we can control these things?' Read more from NewsWire here. Commuter chaos as train and truck collide A truck and a packed commuter train have collided in Brisbane's south, sparking major delays on South East Queensland lines. Emergency services were called to a stopping at Bonemill Rd in in Runcorn shortly after 7am on Thursday after reports the trailer section of a truck and the train collided. A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson confirmed about 300 passengers were on-board the train at the time. Only a single person was left complaining of injury, with a split lip and back pain. The drivers of both the truck and the train were uninjured. Queensland Fire Department crews attended the scene but had left shortly before 9am. The incident sparked chaos on the state's train network, with services between Kuraby and Altandi suspended and replacement buses arranged. - NewsWire Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The $750k Powerball winner has missed out on The mystery punter who scored June's incredible $100 million Powerball jackpot has made a costly $750,000 mistake by failing to step forward and reveal their identity. The prize money remains unclaimed despite an intensifying search for the winner, who purchased the unregistered ticket from a Bondi Junction newsagent in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Other than that, little is known about the new multimillionaire despite several theories emerging, including that the winner could even be a tourist. It's been nine weeks since the unknown player won the hefty sum. If, theoretically, they had taken their winnings and put it in a term deposit or something similar, earning somewhere around the market rate of 4.5 per cent, they would have made an extra $750,000 in the last two months alone in pre-tax income. That's about the median price of an apartment in Sydney's notoriously expensive housing market. Read more about what lottery officials are doing to find the mystery winner here. The mystery punter who scored June's incredible $100 million Powerball jackpot has made a costly $750,000 mistake by failing to step forward and reveal their identity. The prize money remains unclaimed despite an intensifying search for the winner, who purchased the unregistered ticket from a Bondi Junction newsagent in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Other than that, little is known about the new multimillionaire despite several theories emerging, including that the winner could even be a tourist. It's been nine weeks since the unknown player won the hefty sum. If, theoretically, they had taken their winnings and put it in a term deposit or something similar, earning somewhere around the market rate of 4.5 per cent, they would have made an extra $750,000 in the last two months alone in pre-tax income. That's about the median price of an apartment in Sydney's notoriously expensive housing market. Read more about what lottery officials are doing to find the mystery winner here. Surprise supermarket reveal despite Albo crackdown While the Albanese government has vowed to crack down on inflated supermarket prices, putting market leaders Coles and Woolworths on notice not much has changed in the past 12 months it seems. In fact, according to Canstar Blue research, the situation is the worst its been in the past five years. Research found the average spend on weekly groceries for a household of four had increased 11 per cent in the last year to $240. 'That's the biggest annual jump recorded in the last five years, and likely no surprise to anyone who's been at the checkout lately,' Canstar Blue spokesperson Eden Radford said. While the Albanese government has vowed to crack down on inflated supermarket prices, putting market leaders Coles and Woolworths on notice not much has changed in the past 12 months it seems. In fact, according to Canstar Blue research, the situation is the worst its been in the past five years. Research found the average spend on weekly groceries for a household of four had increased 11 per cent in the last year to $240. 'That's the biggest annual jump recorded in the last five years, and likely no surprise to anyone who's been at the checkout lately,' Canstar Blue spokesperson Eden Radford said. Opposition Leader blasts Albanese after Hamas praise Sussan Ley says Anthony Albanese is 'making a real mess' after Hamas praised his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. Hamas, the Islamist militants behind the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, overnight issued statements to Australian media saying it welcomed any support to 'help the Palestinian people achieve their national goals'. The group - a registered terrorist organisation in Australia - runs Gaza, where Israel has waged a 22-month war in a bid to wipe it out and rescue hostages taken the October 7 assault. The Opposition Leader said on Thursday the Prime Minister needed to rethink his decision. 'On the same day, a listed terror organisation calls our Prime Minister a hero, while our closest ally, the US, says that these actions are going to make peace in the region less likely,' Ms Ley told Nine's Today. 'So it's really quite extraordinary, because remember, the Prime Minister used justification for this decision by saying Hamas would not be involved. 'And I saw the Treasurer yesterday saying, oh, Hamas will have no role in a future Palestinian state. Really? As if we can control these things?' Read more from NewsWire here. Sussan Ley says Anthony Albanese is 'making a real mess' after Hamas praised his decision to recognise Palestinian statehood. Hamas, the Islamist militants behind the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023, overnight issued statements to Australian media saying it welcomed any support to 'help the Palestinian people achieve their national goals'. The group - a registered terrorist organisation in Australia - runs Gaza, where Israel has waged a 22-month war in a bid to wipe it out and rescue hostages taken the October 7 assault. The Opposition Leader said on Thursday the Prime Minister needed to rethink his decision. 'On the same day, a listed terror organisation calls our Prime Minister a hero, while our closest ally, the US, says that these actions are going to make peace in the region less likely,' Ms Ley told Nine's Today. 'So it's really quite extraordinary, because remember, the Prime Minister used justification for this decision by saying Hamas would not be involved. 'And I saw the Treasurer yesterday saying, oh, Hamas will have no role in a future Palestinian state. Really? As if we can control these things?' Read more from NewsWire here. Commuter chaos as train and truck collide A truck and a packed commuter train have collided in Brisbane's south, sparking major delays on South East Queensland lines. Emergency services were called to a stopping at Bonemill Rd in in Runcorn shortly after 7am on Thursday after reports the trailer section of a truck and the train collided. A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson confirmed about 300 passengers were on-board the train at the time. Only a single person was left complaining of injury, with a split lip and back pain. The drivers of both the truck and the train were uninjured. Queensland Fire Department crews attended the scene but had left shortly before 9am. The incident sparked chaos on the state's train network, with services between Kuraby and Altandi suspended and replacement buses arranged. - NewsWire A truck and a packed commuter train have collided in Brisbane's south, sparking major delays on South East Queensland lines. Emergency services were called to a stopping at Bonemill Rd in in Runcorn shortly after 7am on Thursday after reports the trailer section of a truck and the train collided. A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson confirmed about 300 passengers were on-board the train at the time. Only a single person was left complaining of injury, with a split lip and back pain. The drivers of both the truck and the train were uninjured. Queensland Fire Department crews attended the scene but had left shortly before 9am. The incident sparked chaos on the state's train network, with services between Kuraby and Altandi suspended and replacement buses arranged. - NewsWire
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
US approves potential $346 million sale of munitions, bombs and rockets to Nigeria
The Pentagon said that the U.S. State Department has approved possible sales of munitions, precision-guided bombs, and rockets to Nigeria, valued at an estimated $346 million. The U.S. State Department approved proposed sales of munitions and precision-guided bombs to Nigeria worth $346 million. The deal includes FMU-139 fuzes, bomb components, rockets, and various support services. Contracts for this sale will be managed by major defence companies like Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems. The Pentagon said on Wednesday that the U.S. State Department has approved possible sales of munitions, precision-guided bombs, and rockets to Nigeria, valued at an estimated $346 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Nigeria has requested to purchase: 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up rounds, each consisting of a WGU-59/B guidance section, high-explosive warhead, and MK66-4 rocket motor. The package also includes non-major defence equipment (non-MDE) such as FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, high-explosive and practice rockets, integration support, and test equipment, along with U.S. government and contractor-provided technical, engineering, and logistics services. Key contractors in the deal According to the statement, the contracts will be executed by Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defence, and BAE Systems. Lockheed Martin is renowned for its advanced autonomous systems, aircraft, missiles, space launchers, and integrated defence solutions. RTX, the world's second-largest military company by revenue, produces aircraft engines, guided missiles, air defence systems, radars, and cybersecurity technologies. BAE Systems plc, headquartered in London, is the largest defence contractor in Europe and ranks among the leading global defence companies.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
S.F. school district to teachers: Your political opinions don't belong in the classroom
Days before the start of classes, San Francisco school leaders reminded teachers that they can't express political opinions during the school day, including in what they say, wear or what they put on their walls. District officials encouraged principals to reinforce those restrictions as educators and staff participated in back-to-school training this week. The guidance follows a divisive battle last school year over accusations of political activism among educators in city schools, particularly in ethnic studies courses. Controversial activities included teachers encouraging students to write letters to Mumia Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther sentenced to death in 1981 for murdering a Philadelphia police officer, or asking them to participate in anti-Israel protests. In other cases, teachers hung pro-Palestinian posters in classrooms, or described Israel as colonizers committing genocide. While the laws and policies are not new, they have been often ignored or absent from staff training sessions. District officials, last year, gave principals the materials to train staff on bias and personal opinions, but it was unclear how many used them. This year, one veteran teacher said it was the first such training in their career. 'Many teachers have been dangerously misled about their professional freedoms and responsibilities,' the educator said. 'K-12 teachers don't have the same academic freedoms as university instructors. Our students are minor children.' The district's teachers union, which has taken a pro-Palestinian stance and has advocated for teachers who wish to speak out about the war in Gaza, did not immediately return requests for comment about the training. In February, officials from the union wrote in a pro-Palestinian resolution that 'educators who utilized their democratic rights to speak out against the war were repressed or harassed by school authorities.' In recent years, Bay Area schools have seen an uptick in politically motivated instruction and the opinions of staff and educators publicly displayed. That has included student walkouts, bolstered by teachers and their unions, as well as posters and staff clothing reflecting beliefs, including candidates, government policies and the war in Gaza. Accusations of antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of harassment in schools have grown specifically since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel in and the retaliatory bombing of Gaza, with hundreds of official complaints filed at the district, state and federal level. District officials said the most recent training was proactive and not punitive and aimed to help staff navigate complex and sensitive topics in a way that aligns with state law and school board policies. 'If parents or students see something they are concerned about they should contact their principal,' said district spokesperson Laura Dudnick. 'When concerns arise, we follow a clear process for reviewing them that is consistent with labor agreements and Board policy.' State education law requires an education free of harassment and bias and equal access to learning regardless of race, religion, national origin or other protected status. But that has been broadly interpreted across public schools in San Francisco and the Bay Area and, at times, rarely enforced. In the spring, San Francisco Superintendent Maria Su vowed to address the issue following community concerns raised specifically about ethnic studies courses and, more broadly, antisemitic content and harassment amid pro-Palestinian activism. 'Teaching should be about teaching students how to think,' not what to think,' she said in June. Su decided to suspend the district's homegrown ethnic studies curriculum, which critics said was divisive, antisemitic and promoted progressive activism. The board in July purchased an off-the-shelf replacement to be used for the year-long required ethnic studies course for ninth graders. In addition, Su is expected to issue an administrative order regarding the use of supplemental materials used by teachers to ensure they adhere to state and district guidelines. The training materials given to principals also notes that employees cannot solicit students or families to further their ideological persuasions or use district resources, including district email, to communicate or advocate for their political opinions. 'Students should be challenged in their coursework and schools should provide a safe and rigorous experience where they can express their thinking and listen to others,' said school board President Phil Kim. 'Our whole job here as educators is to create the conditions for all of that to take place. 'This is what I come back to: What is our responsibility as educators?' he said. 'It's not about us. It's about the kids.'
