Latest news with #EliasRodriguez
Memri
5 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
As UK Bans 'Palestine Action' For Terrorism, Group's U.S. Branch, Called 'Unity Of Fields', Continues Posting In Support Of Terrorism On Its X Account
Unity of Fields, initially called Palestine Action U.S., is an extremist anti-U.S. and anti-Israel organization that was formed as a branch of the UK-based Palestine Action in February 2023.[1] It changed its name in 2024 to Unity of Fields, to express its emphasis on establishing solidarity between various "anti-imperialist" causes across the globe. It calls itself "militant front against the US-NATO-Zionist axis of imperialism."[2] On its X account, the organization regularly praises and glorifies Iran-backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hizbullah, Yemen's Ansar Allah Movement (the Houthis), as well as Hamas and other Palestinian jihadi factions. It regularly refers to slain terrorist leaders as "martyrs", including Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Iran's slain IRGC Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani. The frequently and openly calls for anti-police and anti-ICE violence. It also lionizes Elias Rodriguez, who in May 2025 carried out a shooting attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., where the American Jewish Committee was holding an event for young professionals, killing two Israeli Embassy employees. Unity of Fields' sister group, Palestine Action, has been recently proscribed as a terrorist organization in the UK, which makes supporting it a criminal offense.[3] The following report offers a selection of recent pro-terror posts from Unity of Fields' X account, organized into the following categories: Glorifying Washington DC Shooter Elias Rodriguez Calls For Violence Against The Police, ICE, And The U.S. Praising October 7, 2023 Attacks, Calling For Israel's Annihilation Praise For Iran-Backed Terror Groups And Their "Martyrs" Sharing Posts By Designated Terrorist Organization Samidoun As of July 10, 2025, the account has 14.9K followers, follows 688 accounts, and has made 5,513 posts. The account was established in June 2017. The account description lists the organization's Telegram account, website, encrypted ProtonMail account, and a backup X account. Glorifying Pro-Palestinian Shooter Elias Rodriguez Targeted Event Outside Capital Jewish Museum, Killing Two Sharing a post by "@Plz_Relax_" on May 22, 2025, Unity of Fields critiqued the post stating that "The people 'actually paying the price' are Palestinians facing genocide, and Elias Rodriguez who is now a political prisoner. And the people defending him the hardest, like us, are people also facing repression. The idea is absolutely absurd that PSL [Party For Socialism And Liberation] is a victim here and not a liberal NGO with access to hundreds of millions of dollars using their huge platforms with millions of followers to throw militants to the empire's dungeons rather than defending the armed resistance." Unity of Fields then reposted Bronx Anti-War's May 22, 2025 post stating "We need more Elias Rodriguez in this world."[4] For more on the Bronx Anti-War Coalition, see MEMRI TV clip No. 12030; for more on The Party For Socialism And Liberation, see clip no. 12024. The Unity of Fields X account posted on May 23, 2025: "What Elias Rodriguez did was an act of solidarity and love for the Palestinian people. If this seems crazy and unhinged to you, ask yourself why you are so well adjusted to a constant stream of disemboweled and starving children—made possible by the country in which you reside" followed by "A whole lot of you are good Germans".[5] On May 25, 2025, Unity of Fields replied to its own post promoting a pro-Elias Rodriguez zine on its website adding that now people can download, print, and post Elias Rodriguez stickers.[6] Sharing a post by user "@TovNaganin" on May 26, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account reposted a photo of a flyer with the text "Make Zionists Afraid" and a red triangle on top of a photo of murdered Israeli Embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky.[7] On May 26, 2025, Bronx Anti-War posted "Elias Rodriguez is paving the way for resistance in the West, leading by example and moving beyond mere symbolic gestures or rhetorical support for the Palestinian cause. We endorse this statement and encourage all other organizations to do so as well" then replied to its own post saying "'Globalize the intifada' is not just a slogan, but a call to action!" Unity of Fields shared these posts.[8] On May 26, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account published a post encouraging people to sign on to the "Free Elias Rodriguez Organizing Committee," claiming his murders were a "legitimate act of resistance." The account replied to its post on May 28, 2025, reposting the address to write to Elias Rodriguez in jail.[9] On May 26, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account published a post encouraging people to sign on to the "Free Elias Rodriguez Organizing Committee," claiming his murders were a "legitimate act of resistance." The account replied to its post on the same day adding: "Elias Rodriguez's act was fully justified, at that place where legal and moral duties meet. It is clear that international law, which the West itself established and whose institutions are dominated by the interest of these imperialists, establishes a duty to take action to stop genocide, including the use of violence to do so."[10] On May 27, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account wrote a post stating: "Think of all of the images of absolute horror that we have seen in the past 4 days alone and then try to claim that what Elias Rodriguez did was wrong. Try to make an argument for why he isn't worth defending. Elias Rodriguez is the most moral man in Amerika."[11] Sharing a post from Zionist New York Congressman Ritchie Torres where Torres condemned the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for standing with Elias Rodriguez on May 28, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account added: "These are the most principled DSA members in the country, and they are brave for standing with Elias Rodriguez and all political prisoners, despite DSA leadership's liberal zionism and traitorous collaborationism with the ruling class."[12] Promoting a song by X user "@cheinglorious" on May 30, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account encouraged its followers to listen to the song, followed by a photo of some of the lyrics of the song. The lyrics include "Uh free Elias Rodriguez. Film myself killing Zionists in hi res [high resolution]."[13] Sharing one of their own posts from May 26, 2025, the Unity of Fields account added: "Orgs and individuals, you can still sign onto this support statement for Elias! Use the link below or email on May 31, 2025.[14] On June 2, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account reposted from "@atlajala" "not sure if people are seeing this yet, but an Egyptian man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, just attacked a zionist march in Colorado with molotovs." The account followed up by reposting its May 22, 2025 response to the murders of Israeli Embassy staffers Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky "We ain't condemning shit."[15] The Unity of Fields X account posted and pinned a donation fund for Elias Rodriguez on June 7, 2025.[16] Reposting their pinned post, the Unity of Fields X account added "If you donated to Luigi's [Mangione] defense fund you should donate to Elias Rodriguez's. Or else you're a zionist social democrat" followed by a reply post stating "Nobody likes a 'healthcare only' cracker/cracker sympathizer. Give your bucks and prayers to the beloved third worldist assassin, Elias Rodriguez." Both posts were made on June 7, 2025.[17] On June 9, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account posted "Seen in Athens, Greece: 'DEATH TO ISRAEL, HONOUR AND FREEDOM TO ELIAS RODRIGUEZ'" accompanied by a photo of a large banner with those words.[18] Calls For Violence Against The Police, ICE, And The U.S. – "Dreaming Of 100,000,000 October 7ths Against The U.S." In a now-deleted post, the Unity of Fields X account wrote "THIS! Holding 'solidarity actions' for an ongoing uprising in the US is goofy.. single issue-pacifism brain. ICE is everyone's problem. Our focus right now should be turning the LA unrest into every city in Amerika unrest. Only militant, direct confrontation will get us there." [19] In a since deleted post, the Unity of Fields X account shared a repost of "@ok_but_still" which said "dreaming of 100000000000 october 7ths" and added "against the united states."[20] Shortly after the murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, the Unity of Fields X account reposted one of its previous posts from September 4, 2024 that said "We reject the concept of 'peaceful protest' all together. There is no way to undermine empire peacefully. The point of our resistance is to reject their peace—white peace—which is built on the backs of the oppressed billions who live under the boot of US hegemony." [21] On May 13, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account posted "thread featuring our engagement with and interventions in the Student Intifada" which included reposting old Unity of Fields X posts.[22] Reposting its own May 3, 2025 post on May 13, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account promoted the Columbia Barnard College students' takeover of the Milstein Library. The account replied with a repost of one of its March 5, 2025 posts showing that the protestors used Unity of Fields' zines at the takeover.[23] Sharing a post by right-wing journalist Andy Ngo, @ on May 17, 2025, the Unity of Fields account added: "Great tweet from imperialist running dog Klandy Ngo. Violence is absolutely necessary!" The organization responded to its post with "Oops, typo. KKKlandy*"[24] The Unity of Fields X account posted "The western world has no right to exist or defend itself" with a pointing emoji on May 21, 2025.[25] Unity of Fields posted a screenshot on X of Communist Party USA's announcement on May 22, 2025 condemning the murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky with the caption "They just keep coming. Full mask off moment for all the 'movement organizations' who will turn your ass in to the Gestapo in the blink of an eye. We are not in unity with these counterinsurgent liberal zionists; our unity is based in shared principles of resistance." On the same day, the account reposted its original post and added "Very revealing moment now that there is actually an act of armed resistance from within the U.S. for self-proclaimed revolutionary organizations to support or condemn. Make no mistake, the ones who condemn are enemies of the revolution. They will sell you out and turn you in." [26] On June 7, 2025, the X account of Unity of Fields wrote: "Every militant taking the streets against these fascist amerikan entities must foreground internationalism as our fundamental project. When we say 'fuck ICE' we are saying 'Free Palestine', when we say 'globalize the Intifada' we are saying 'abolish the police.'" The account then responded to its own post, stating: "Some might even call this "unity of the fields" but we are just spit balling......"[27] On June 7, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account published a post reading: "The anti-ICE protests and anti-policing protests are also anti-genocide protests. Imperialism, colonialism and systemic white supremacy are global genocidal systems—one struggle. One enemy." The account then reposted it and added "Reactionaries will say this sounds like anti-semitism but they say everything sounds like anti-semitism. Are we seeking to overthrow the imperialist system that produces endless war, displacement, genocide, poverty and famine all over the world? Or are we playing paddy cake?" They later added the reply "What the state is making abundantly clear, especially in the past two years, is that there is no reformist option. They want to crush any movement whatsoever. The only way out of this is the radical, revolutionary path. The sooner begun the sooner done."[28] On X, Unity of Fields wrote on June 7, 2025: "One of the best things you can do for Gaza is start fuckin major problems in the US. ICE is looking for trouble..."[29] Reposting a February 6, 2025 post from its own account glorifying the "Student Intifada" protesting ICE in Los Angeles, the Unity of Fields X account added "The migrant youth showed us the way. It's riot season baby" on June 7, 2025.[30] Responding to a video of Los Angeles Waymo cars on fire posted by X user "@BGOnTheScene," the Unity of Fields X account posted "MORE. MORE AND MORE AND MORE. MORREEEEE" on June 8, 2025.[31] Calling for "Intifada everywhere. Death to imperialism" on June 8, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account posted four photos of violent riots.[32] Calling to "Globalize the Intifada" on June 8, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account claimed: "Los Angeles understands the assignment. Where you at Bay Area? Chi? NYC? Atlanta? Baltimore? The whole country needs to go up, no mercy."[33] The Unity of Fields X account posted "Angelenos throwing Modelo Molotovs at ICE while wearing Keffiyehs. We are locked the fuck in, folks" on June 8, 2025.[34] Writing on June 9, 2025, the X account of Unity of Fields posted: "Hearing reports that the Hamas Marxist Army continues to grow in cities & towns across amerikkka. They are saying that the Fourth Reich created its own grave diggers and the internally colonized masses are in revolt. It is right to rebel, they say. Interesting development!"[35] Posting photos of Los Angeles riots submitted from a follower on June 9, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account wrote: "The masses are done with picturesque peaceful mass-arrest compliance. It's time, been time, to start fighting the fuck back. This is a proactive war being waged on the Fourth Reich. MORE!"[36] As a response to X user "@jeremotographs" posting "Holy shit. Somebody just drove by the federal building in downtown and shot a cop in the face with a paintball gun," Unity of Fields replied "Now we're not saying anything but... wouldn't it be cool if..." on June 9, 2025.[37] Posting a graphic of a Molotov cocktail with the words "Light my fire... Melt I.C.E." on June 9, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account added the caption "What NYC needs now is not another barricade-guarded standing-around hangout in downtown Manhattan pretending to be a protest. What NYC needs is mass revolt in the neighborhoods ICE is targeting. These uprisings are not just out of moral opposition to ICE! They're proactive self-defense against the Gestapo targeting our neighbors! Once we begin targeting ICE where they carry out their disappearances, we'll start seeing results. Burn their cars. Push them back. Make them afraid!"[38] On June 11, 2025, Unity of Fields posted a video on X of people in Tucson, Arizona attacking ICE agents with the caption: "The community in Tucson repels ICE invaders by spraying them with paint balls, throwing metal barricades and other projectiles, while defending the crowd with shields, helmets/goggles, and a tight formation. The ICE thugs retreat like cowardly paper tigers. Take notes!"[39] Unity of Fields posted three photos of graffiti reading "Kill ICE Agents" taken in San Francisco, California on June 11, 2025.[40] Sharing a year and a half old video of Yemenis calling for war, the Unity of Fields X account praised the chant on June 12, 2025, adding the caption: "WE DON'T CARE, WE DON'T CARE, WE DON'T CARE! TURN IT INTO A MAJOR WORLD WAR!"[41] Sharing a post by "@Helyeh_Doutaghi" on June 12, 2025, Unity of Fields added: "EVERY US MILITARY APPARATUS IS A LEGITIMATE TARGET."[42] On June 14, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account wrote: "Deport the amerikkkan entity and the zionist entity to the dustbins of history."[43] Unity of Fields reposted Charlotte Kates's June 14, 2025 X post stating "As always: strive to live up to the example set by Yemen in organization, development & military/popular action and integration!"[44] Sharing a post by user "@Helyeh_Doutaghi" on June 16, 2025, the Unity of Fields account added a quote by former Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who they called a martyr: "According to some theories, Israel controls America. No sir. It is America that controls Israel. If the Americans want to stop something, they can make it stop. The claim that the Americans cannot force Israel to do something is nonsense."[45] As a response to Israel bombing Iran's nuclear facilities, the Unity of Fields X account posted "Iran has more than a simple right to defend itself, it has a completely legitimate right to obliterate every amerikan presence in the region" on June 23, 2025.[46] In response to Iran launching rockets at the United States's Qatar base, on June 23, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account wrote "Hearing reports that a US base is getting bombed in kkkatar. We're praying for the safety of the Iranian missiles. May they find their targets without interception."[47] The X account of Unity of Fields posted a photo of caskets wrapped in American flags with the caption "Soon inshallah" on June 23, 2025.[48] On July 4, 2025, the Unity of Fields account shared a post by user "@atlajala" which said: "thinking about the narrowly failed attempt by the george jackson brigade to bomb a substation on july 4 1977 to knock out a power grid in olympia in solidarity w/ prison struggle in walla walla & how perfect a day of planned explosions is as cover to carry out such actions."[49] On July 4, 2025, Unity of Fields reposted a zine by Designated Terror group Samidoun, emphasizing Samidoun's claim that imperialism, rather than terrorism, is the real enemy. For more on the zine, see MEMRI JTTM report Terrorist-Designated Samidoun, Linked To Popular Front For The Liberation Of Palestine (PFLP), Publishes Online 'Zine' Offering Guidance For Those Facing Terrorist Designation).[50] On July 7, 2025, Unity of Fields posted a screenshot of a news report on X with the caption "Enemy media reporting armed attacks against the Gestapo [Secret Nazi police] in Texas. Today a man was killed allegedly attacking CBP. On the 4th of July, protestors allegedly sabotaged ICE vehicles and security cameras, and launched fireworks to lure pigs to the ICE facility on the 4th of July."[51] Sharing a post by user "@MattFinnFNC" with photos of defaced police cars and reports of attempted murder on ICE agents, the Unity of Fields X account added: "Speak to fascists in a language they understand" on July 8, 2025.[52] On July 17, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account published a post reading: "Amerikkka is the source of evil, not bad actors within it. We can't allow excuses to be made for this monstrously genocidal plantation masquerading as a nation. Remove one person or five hundred from its government, nothing will change as long as amerikkka still exists" and replied with "The basic truth that many don't want to admit is that the problem is the United States, not just Trump, or Biden, or this agency or that one. Nothing will change unless the whole thing crumbles. Which it will!"[53] Praising October 7, 2023 Attacks, Calling For Israel's Annihilation On January 16, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account posted "Two, three, many Al-Aqsa Floods."[54] In response to a May 21, 2025 Sky News article that Kneecap's Liam O'Hanna was charged with terrorism for supporting Hizbullah, Unity of Fields responded "No matter how much you backtrack and condemn the resistance, like KNEECAP did, they will still come for you. So why lick the boots of the oppressors? Why not uphold the armed anti-imperialist struggle as widely and loudly as possible?"[55] Unity of Fields on X reposted an article by "@AlAkhbarEn" with the quote "[The PFLP] maintained that targeting the enemy should not be restricted by geography, since the enemy itself had made the entire world a battlefield" on May 23, 2025.[56] X user "@nataliesurely" posted "All else aside, claims that 'the assassinated diplomats were peace crusaders killed at a humanitarian event' are straightforwardly, laughably untrue, and the point of insisting on it is to discredit anti-Israel sentiment as hopelessly confused and irrational." On May 24, 2025, Unity of Fields responded: "Strikingly similar to 'the music festival was a celebration for peace and everyone killed on 10/7 was a bleeding heart peace activist.'"[57] In response to the anti-ICE riots, on June 8, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account wrote "This level of militant, revolutionary internationalism in the heart of Amerika was unthinkable before the al-Aqsa Flood. We owe everything to the anti-colonial armed resistance of the Palestinian people. Sinwar and Deif and all of the brave warriors. a compass for all free people" and responded to its post with "It is Palestine and armed struggle and third world revolution that lit this spark. It ripped open a portal to a new world and colonized people everywhere are jumping through it. Lots of tears shed today, unbelievable scenes."[58] On June 8, 2025, the Unity of Fields X account stated the crew of Greta Thunberg's Madleen was "kidnapped by the IOF [IDF]. They are the definition of political prisoners. Free them fucking all! Next flotilla should be armed to the fucking teeth!" then responded with "DEATH TO THE ZIONIST ENTITY! DEATH TO AMERIKKKA!"[59] On June 13, 2025, Unity of Fields responded to a post by "@ihcentoo" showing Israelis being rescued from rubble resulting from Iranian missile attacks with "LEAVE THEM TEHRE! LEAVE THEM THERE!" They later responded to an Israeli woman asking for prayers in her bomb shelter with "LMFAOOOO [Laughing my fucking ass off]."[60] Unity of Fields responded to a post by X user "@BIG__Brother7" claiming there were casualties in Iran's missile attack on Tel Aviv with "They deserve far, far worse, and they will get it" on June 13, 2025. The response was followed by a standalone post saying "Settlers are not civilians."[61] Unity of Fields shared a post by Charlotte Kates, the International Coordinator of Designated Terrorist Organization Samidoun, on June 13, 2025. Kates wrote: "This is a time of war, a time of genocide. A time when everyone must choose a side: with the US-European empire and its Zionist project, or with Palestine and the people of the world. When we participate in the battle for humanity, we carry responsibilities." The account then posted "The more fronts we open here, the more difficult it is for the US-zio death machine to carry out its genocidal war in the Arab-Iranian region. Stay in the streets this weekend to upend imperialism everywhere. Be relentless, don't get arrested, stay in the streets" Unity of Fields added: "Something new dropping for you the Hunan stuff we promised." with a red triangle and salute emoji.[62] Unity of Fields reposted on May 25, 2025 a video from All-African People's Revolutionary Party (A-APRP), "@AAPRP" on X, featuring Designated Terrorist Khaled Barakat, who is a senior member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Samidoun, and Masar Badil. In the video, Barakat claims: "The Palestinian Liberation movement and the African Liberation movement are twins."[63] Responding to a news report of ICE detainees escaping, Unity of Fields on X took a screenshot of part of the article and highlighted the phrase "reportedly using bedsheets to parachute to the ground." The account captioned this screenshot with "The spirit of Attica and the Al-Aqsa Flood is everywhere" on June 14, 2025.[64] Praise For Iran-Backed Terror Groups And Their "Martyrs" Sharing a poster of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the account praised him as a martyr on June 15, 2025, writing: "A photo of the martyr leader Yahya Sinwar was displayed during yesterday's Iranian celebrations of the True Promise 3. Glory to the martyrs. Glory to the Al-Aqsa Flood" with a Palestinian and Iranian flag emoji before the message.[65] Sharing a post by user "@AlAndalus074478" on June 29, 2025 showing "Al-Aqsa Flood training courses" in Yemen, the Unity of Fields account added: "Amazing idea for local organizers."[66] On March 30, 2025, Unity of Fields praised October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar claiming that "Sinwar has touched the heart of the youth in the imperial core and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it, thank God. Revolution is irresistible." [67] Unity of Fields posted a graphic of fighters from the military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, shooting at a tank with a red triangle over it on May 26, 2025 stating "Our resolve is the resolve of the Brigades. The sword of Al-Qassam is victorious."[68] The X account for Unity of Fields reposted its own post about the The Lydd Airport Operation between the Japanese Red Army and PFLP on May 30, 2025, calling it "This is the highest form of international solidarity."[69] On June 2, 2025, X user "@BIG__Brother7" posted "Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas), Saraya Al-Quds (PIJ), Abu Ali Mustafa (PFLP), Omar Al-Qasim Forces (DFLP), and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades have all announced operations today targeting enemy forces" with a picture of the groups standing together in uniform. Unity of Fields added "the unity of the fields."[70] Unity of Fields praised the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Saraya Al-Quds, on June 8, 2025 by writing on X "By God, you will not extinguish our resolve, Nor will you erase our memory. We are the people of war and victory, And you are the losers."[71] Unity of Fields reposted one of its posts made on June 9, 2025 featuring a man wearing a Hamas armband and a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) headband at an anti-ICE rally, calling it "some real unity of the fields type shit."[72] Unity of Fields praised the military wing of the PFLP, Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, on June 13, 2025, posting "It is impossible for the fiery pulse to be silenced. It is impossible. Glory to the fighting arms... Long live the resistance. Al-Aqsa Flood."[73] Sharing a poster of slain IRGC Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, the account praised him as a martyr and quoted him saying "Defending Palestine, for us, is honor and dignity, and we will not trade this for any worldly goods" on June 14, 2025.[74] Responding to a picture of a banner in Tehran, Iran featuring Nasrallah, Soleimani, Nasrallah, Sinwar, and Deif posted by "@Seamus_Malek," Unity of Fields posted "The international unity of the fields. 'The Axis of Resistance exists throughout the of us who fight against colonialism, all of us who fight to decolonize our minds and our people, are part of the Axis of Resistance,' in the words of Nicolás Maduro" on June 15, 2025.[75] Unity of Fields praised PIJ on June 16, 2025, sharing a picture of damage to Israeli buildings from June 2025 and May 2023.[76] The X account of Unity of Fields honored the PFLP with "A salute from the revolutionaries of Palestine to the revolutionaries of Iran" on June 17, 2025.[77]
Fox News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
ASRA NOMANI: I watched hate consume Democrats' 'non-violent' #NoKings rallies
PHILADELPHIA – Last Saturday, behind a phalanx of local cops, teachers' union president Randi Weingarten stood on a stage in the heart of the city and pumped her fists in the air as she declared to a crowd protesting President Donald Trump: "We have to practice, not as a strategy, but as a way of life, peaceful nonviolence." It was a scene scripted to feel uplifting. Stage managers had set up the riser for the speakers right beneath the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where actor Sylvester Stallone famously filmed his iconic movie scene as boxer Rocky Balboa, running the stairs and then pumping his fists victoriously into the air. But the feel-good energy was suddenly pierced by shouting. A chant — scattered and distant — rose like a tide. As I drew closer to the intersection of Kelly Drive and Spring Garden Street, I recognized the familiar sing-song cadence that has marked chaos on America's streets since the Oct. 7, 2023, brutal murders of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. "Free, free Palestine!" the chant began. The response came right after: "Free, free, free Palestine!" These were the same words shouted by Elias Rodriguez, an activist radicalized in the Party for Socialism and Liberation, moments after he murdered two Israel Embassy staffers on the streets of Washington, D.C., last month. Then, another familiar refrain: "From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever!" "Donald Trump, you will see, Palestine will be free!" As a U.S. Army veteran took the main stage, the chants shifted: "U.S. imperialists! No. 1 terrorists!" "No. 1 racists! No. 1 fascists!" Then, unmistakably: "Globalize the intifada!" Missing from after-action reports that Indivisible, the main organizer of the #NoKings protests, sent journalists was any mention of the radical flanks: the "Palestine Contingent," "ICE Contingent," and "Labor Contingent" that joined protests in Philadelphia, New York City, Sacramento, Calif., and other cities, according to reporting that I did on the ground and from afar. These "contingents" include self-declared socialist, Marxist and communist groups advocating for the dismantling of the American "empire." Thursday night, they were on the streets again, protesting "NO WAR ON IRAN!." Through my investigation at the Pearl Project, a nonprofit journalism initiative named for my friend and colleague, Daniel Pearl, murdered in 2002 by militants in Pakistan, I initially found about 195 organizations and then 70 Democratic National Committee affiliates in the political machine behind the #NoKings protests, with about $2.1 billion in annual revenues. Based on my new reporting, another 118 organizations led the most radical parts of the protests, with combined annual revenues of about $204 million. I've added their names to a public database that I'm seeking to build to provide transparency for the public, press, police and policymakers about the professional protest industry: its tactics, network and ultimate aim – to sow chaos and discord. Across the country, contingents with anti-American agendas joined protests: Back in Philadelphia, the chants from the local "Palestine Contingent" continued. "When people are occupied, resistance is justified!" "Resistance is glorious! We will be victorious!" Their banners and signs made no mistake about their beliefs. A few masked men held a banner that declared, "Amerika is the head of the snake." Another banner read: "The Global Economy is Complicit in Genocide." A young man in a keffiyeh and dark shades stood behind a banner for the International Jewish Labor Bund, a self-declared socialist organization. Behind him, a man held a sign with the Party for Socialism and Liberation across the bottom in its distinctive black-and-white design. An older woman with a keffiyeh wrapped around her face pumped her fist into the air behind a banner that read, "Workers World Party," a communist organization birthed during the Soviet era. The illusion cracked. What I was witnessing wasn't a call for "peaceful nonviolence." It was the presence of a dangerous force: a coalition of far-left activists and Islamist sympathizers, which I call the Woke Army, emboldened by donor dollars, protected by political silence and increasingly comfortable with violence. Identifying myself as a journalist, I drew the ire of "Palestine Continent" activists for filming them, and I saw firsthand how this protest culture is not just performative — it's punitive, sectarian and violent. "Are you a Zionist?" a young masked man asked me, while others tried to block my path, taunting me. Another young masked man demanded: "Do you like genocide?" Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin took the stage, grinning at the success of the nationwide protest. He turned to his wife, Indivisible co-founder, Leah Greenberg, and said: "Would you lead us in a pledge of allegiance?" She began awkwardly, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…" In the "Palestine Contingent," where I stood, the activists screamed: "Boo! Boo! Boo!" They drowned out Greenberg's words: "...with liberty and justice for all." As I panned the crowd with my camera, one young man, about 20 feet away, stopped booing to curse at me: "Get your f---ing camera out of my face, you f---ing Zionist!" Then: "Get the f--- out of my face, you Mossad piece of sh--!" Mossad is the Israeli intelligence agency. He got closer, ramming his middle finger at me, eyes glaring. Only one person – a young man – stepped forward to try to stop him. But the masked agitator escalated his claims: "She's a f---ing foreign agent! She's a f---ing foreign agent of Israel!" A masked woman with cropped hair jumped in front of me to then scream, ironically, into the camera: "Get your f---ing camera out of my face!" She circled back to flip me off. I didn't budge. My mother, watching the footage later, said: "These masked people tried to terrorize you like they are terrorizing the nation." She was right. I know these propaganda tactics. First, my friend Daniel Pearl's kidnappers smeared him as an American spy for the CIA and then a Zionist Jewish spy for Mossad, before beheading him and cutting his body into pieces. It's the rhetoric of dehumanization that the "progressives" claim to challenge but actually too often perpetuate against anyone with a different point of view. The "Palestine Contingent" weren't expressing "peaceful nonviolence" in their chants or aggression. They were moments of coercion. I wrote this column in the shadow of another horror — the brutal murder of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband by an alleged killer who hunted them down. America is becoming a nation where vigilantism is no longer lurking in the margins. It's marching through the streets, often with a protest permit. We rightly condemn right-wing violence when it erupts. But left-wing violence — often cloaked in social justice language — is excused, minimized, or worse, cheered. Networks of leftist activists now openly call for the "global intifada," and the "resistance" by "any means" including confrontation, intimidation, destruction and violence. That is not protest. That is factionalism with fists. From the main stage, a leader shouted: "Whose flag?" "Our flag!" One of the anti-Israel activists noted the American flag was the "flag of imperialism." In other protests, the "Palestine Contingent" got the microphone – or took it. In Oakland, Calif., Zahra Billoo, executive director of the CAIR chapter in the San Francisco Bay Area, had a featured speaker slot. The Women's March kicked her off its board for anti-semitic remarks.. In Philadelphia, I watched the speakers on the big screen, as masked agitators chanted over them, some accusing the organizers of being too soft on America. At one point, the din became so loud that the speaker's voice could barely be heard over the cries of "Globalize the intifada." MSNBC host Rachel Maddow covered the protests like a cheerleader, praising the "nonviolence" without acknowledging the virulent antisemitism, factionalism and outright hatred also on display. The sectarianism that has torn apart the Middle East and so many countries – from Ireland to the Balkans – is now animating street politics in America. As I stood on the steps beneath Rocky's bronze gaze, the chants still echoing, I thought about what made that statue so beloved. It wasn't just about winning. It was about standing up — even in the face of intimidation — for what's right. That's what we need now. Vigilantism is not justice. Dogma is not "resistance." And hate, no matter how well masked, has no place on America's streets. And we each have to stand up to it and not be intimidated by it. Each of us must stand up to it, unflinching and unafraid. As the "Palestine Contingent" rolled up their socialist banners, I retraced Rocky's steps, running the stairs, pumping my fists in the air.
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First Post
18-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
FirstUp: Modi in Croatia in first visit by an Indian PM to the European nation... Headlines today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a historic first visit to Croatia. The US Fed holds interest rates at 4.25–4.50 per cent amid easing inflation, while Elias Rodriguez faces a preliminary hearing in the Jewish museum shooting case in Washington, DC. Indonesia's Subianto meets Putin, and Nippon Steel nears completion of its major US Steel deal read more India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the G7 Leaders' Summit held at the Rocky Mountain resort village of Kananaskis, at Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 16, 2025. Reuters June 18, 2025, brings a diverse set of global headlines. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Croatia for a historic first visit, focusing on deepening bilateral ties. The US Federal Reserve announces its latest interest rate decision amid easing inflation concerns. In Washington, the preliminary hearing begins for Elias Rodriguez, charged in a high-profile museum shooting. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto meets Vladimir Putin in Russia, signalling closer ties. Meanwhile, Japan's Nippon Steel faces a regulatory deadline in its $14 billion bid to acquire US Steel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here are today's top developments. Modi on landmark visit to Croatia Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Zagreb today for a historic first visit by an Indian leader to Croatia. He is set to meet Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Zoran Milanović. The agenda includes signing bilateral agreements on defense cooperation, IT sector collaboration and renewable energy projects. 'This will be the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Plenković and meet the President of Croatia, H.E. Mr. Zoran Milanović. The visit to Croatia will also underscore India's commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union,' said the PM office in a statement. Modi's visit follows stops in Cyprus and Canada, underlining India's expanding diplomatic outreach in Europe. US Fed maintains rates amid disinflation Following its June 17–18 policy meeting, the US Federal Reserve held the federal funds target range steady at 4.25–4.50 per cent. The central bank cited disinflation — core inflation slowed to 2.7 per cent year-over-year — and moderated wage growth, which together justify pausing rate hikes. While growth remains steady and unemployment low, Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that future rate decisions will be data-driven. Preliminary hearing for SC shooting suspect In Washington, DC, a preliminary hearing has begun for Elias Rodriguez (31), charged with murdering two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum on May 8. According to court filings, Rodriguez allegedly shouted 'Free Palestine' during the attack. Prosecutors have presented video evidence and eyewitness testimony, while the defense argues the attack was random and not motivated by ideology. A judge set bail at $500,000 amid hate-crime enhancements; trial date expected in late July. Subianto meets Putin Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will touch down in St. Petersburg from June 18 to June 20 for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Agenda items include defence cooperation, joint economic zones and Indonesian participation in Russia's annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Indonesia seeks to diversify its global ties, while Russia views this as a win amid Western economic sanctions. Nippon Steel aims to finalise US Steel acquisition Japanese steel giant Nippon Steel is racing to close its $14 billion acquisition of US Steel. Following a security-review 'golden share' agreement with the US government — granting the US veto over certain strategic asset decisions — the deal now awaits final regulatory and shareholder approval. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Completion is expected before June 30. Nippon's plans include investing over $11 billion in modernisation efforts and climate-friendly steelmaking within five years. Analysts say the deal could reshape North American steel capacity. With inputs from agencies
New York Post
10-06-2025
- New York Post
Inside Israeli Embassy shooter Elias Rodriguez's fan club
Elias Rodriguez is accused of brutally murdering two Israeli embassy staffers — but a sick fan club cheering on his action is growing around him. A twisted online community has exploded supporting the suspected terrorist: Writing him letters in jail, petitioning for his release, and celebrating his crime as part of the so-called 'global intifada.' The Post infiltrated several popular Telegram channels which circulate op-eds, petitions and even stickers in support of the accused murderer. 8 Elias Rodriguez was arrested for allegedly shooting Yaron Lichinsky and Sarah Pilgrim in May. Katie Kalisher via Storyful Rodriguez, 31, is charged with shooting Yaron Lichinsky, 28, and Sarah Pilgrim, 26, late on May 21 as they were leaving a Young Diplomats Reception held at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The victims, who were a couple, both worked at the Israeli Embassy. Chicago native Rodriguez is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held in jail as prosecutors determine a full list of charges against him. Depraved Rodriguez, who had ties to radical left-wing groups, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack that night while chanting 'Free Palestine' which has since made him the subject of praise online. A video of Rodriguez's arrest posted to Resistance News Network, a pro-Palestinian Telegram channel with more than 165,000 followers, received tremendous positive attention. 404 users reacted with a heart-on-fire emoji, and 192 more with a salute emoji. 8 A message posted to the Tariq el-Tahrir Youth and Student Network Telegram channel encouraged members to post stickers of Rodriguez 'everywhere.' Telegram Individuals on the Tariq el-Tahrir Youth and Student Network Telegram channel were encouraged to print out stickers of Rodriguez and to 'distribute them everywhere! Long live the armed anti-imperialist resistance!' Especially disturbing strings of comments about Rodriguez and racist hate directed towards Lichinsky and Pilgrim were left by members of GAZA NOW IN ENGLISH, a Telegram channel with more than 200,000 members. An image of Rodriguez posted to the channel the day after the attack praised him for, 'in a moment of courage, [deciding] to make his voice heard and [confronting] the murderers with boldness,' despite both of his victims being entirely innocent diplomats. 8 Stickers of Elias Rodriguez were circulated on Telegram groups to be downloaded by users. 8 Reactions on Telegram to Lichinsky and Pilgrim's murder were viciously antisemitic. Telegram 'Great man even though he's a Christian/atheist worm,' one channel member responded. Another wrote, 'Blessed… two zionists off to their promised land in HELL!!!' 'Go go go rodriguesz [sic], another shooter are welcomed,' a third user wrote. Another said, 'This should happen all over the world in each and every country.' Responses to a photo of the two victims were equally depraved. Heart emojis, Palestinian flags, poop emojis, and inverted red triangles, used by Hamas in military footage to indicate an Israeli target before an attack, littered the comment section. 'Welcome to hell,' someone emboldened by their anonymity wrote. Another chimed in, 'Those things are not 'people' they are demons.' 'Thank you… let all iarelist [sic] and zionist be killed,' a commenter added. 'Killing jews ia [sic] service to humanity. Kill more of these terrorist children killers,' someone wrote. 8 Many users on the GAZA NOW IN ENGLISH Telegram channel celebrated the murders. Telegram Multiple Telegram channels, including the United Liberation Front for Palestine and Resistance News Network, circulated a petition to free Rodriguez, written by the anonymous Free Elias Rodriguez Organizing Committee. 'Elias Rodriguez's targeted attack on two israeli [sic] diplomatic staff on May 21, 2025 was a legitimate act of resistance against the zionist state,' it reads, condoning murder on US territory for political ends. 8 Rodriguez's image was photoshopped onto a Palestinian flag, superimposed with a hammer and sickle. Telegram They compare Rodriguez to alleged United Healthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione, 'whose alleged actions,' the petition argues, 'also helped to balance the scales of justice.' 'We are saying that such counter-violence is legitimate. It is justice. Elias Rodriguez's act was fully justified, at that place where legal and moral duties meet.' 8 Several Telegram groups circulated a petition to free Elias Rodriguez from prison. Telegram Jewish groups have warned that many channels like these are actually seeded and fuelled by Hamas to spread its anti-Israel propaganda. 'The Telegram app has a channel where anyone can find English translations of propaganda from groups like Hamas. It's not necessarily like there's a menu of options from Hamas, it's not that official. They just create online spaces where people can access and circulate their propaganda. 'It serves Hamas by portraying them as a legitimate resistance instead of the bloodthirsty terrorists that they are. It has dangerous consequences and makes people feel like they are not alone in their resistance, which can make them more damaging,' Oren Segal, the Anti-Defamation League's SVP for Counter-Extremism and Intelligence, recently told The Post. 8 A 'zine' version of Khaled Barakat's op-ed was circulated for download on several channels. Telegram Telegram groups, including Resistance News Network, the Tariq el-Tahrir Youth and Student Network, and United Liberation Front for Palestine, which were identified to The Post by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies as especially extreme channels, have also shared an especially inflammatory op-ed celebrating Rodriguez. The piece is written by Khaled Barakat, an individual identified by the US Department of Treasury as a Specially Designated National for his association with the designated terrorist organization Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Published originally in Arabic in a Lebanese newspaper, the piece has been converted into a 'zine' form that Telegram users are circulating in a printable PDF form. Barakat's message reads: 'Rodriguez's operation represents a cry in the face of the American system, and a message that resistance is … an identity, and an ethical and political stance that allows for no compromise.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shooting of Israeli embassy staffers underscores US ‘era of violent populism'
The killing of two staff of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC comes as the war in Gaza has splintered the American body politic alongside the ongoing rise in political violence. A shooter, identified as Elias Rodriguez, shot the two people, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday after they left an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee. Rodriguez reportedly chanted 'free, free Palestine' while being detained by security. This is the latest act of violence in a string of incidents that have affected Jewish, Arab and Muslim communities in the US. A man in Illinois attacked a six-year-old and his mother, both Palestinian American, and killed the boy in 2023 soon after Hamas's 7 October attack on Israel, and three Palestinian students were shot in Vermont in November 2023. Reports of antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism have soared since the war began. But an uptick in violence is not uniquely associated with the war in Gaza. It's a feature of this 'era of violent populism', said Robert Pape, director of the University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats. Between assassination attempts on Donald Trump, ongoing threats of violence against a wide swath of government officials including judges, and an arson attack against the Pennsylvania governor, Wednesday's shooting was not one that happened in isolation. 'This is a chronic illness in our country,' Pape said. 'This is not a set of isolated events.' People who commit acts of political violence often believe they will be celebrated by some portion of the public that supports the same goals, he said. The alleged killer's supposed manifesto nods at this. 'They think about how they want to be perceived and what they want the news to be saying about them afterwards,' said Liliana Mason, a political science professor at Johns Hopkins University. 'And it's a very kind of self-oriented set of motivations.' 'We know that this guy screamed Free Palestine. He probably thought that he was doing something political. But also, there are plenty of people who think we should free Palestine, who are not going to go murder a couple people.' A small portion of the pro-Palestinian movement has formally embraced the language of armed resistance, but the vast majority of those protesting against the war have been non-violent. In the day since the shooting, condemnations have come from all sides of the political spectrum, including from politicians who have opposed US involvement in the war and joined pro-Palestinian protests. It also sparked a debate over the distinction between antisemitism and anti-Israel political violence, in part because it remains unclear what the perpetrator knew about his victims. 'My heart breaks for the loved ones of the victims of last night's attack in DC,' said Rashida Tlaib, a congresswoman who is Palestinian American. 'Nobody deserves such terrible violence. Everyone in our communities deserves to live in safety and in peace.' Trump offered condolences to the loved ones of the couple killed in the attack. 'These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!' he wrote on Truth Social. 'Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.' Jews in the US have said it is another example of the menace they are facing as people protest against the war. Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania whose residence was the target of an antisemitic arson earlier this year, said he was 'heartbroken and horrified' by the attack. 'May their memories be a blessing and a call to action for each of us,' he wrote on social media. A writer in the conservative Jewish publication Commentary wrote that Jewish institutions would quickly work to increase security and that 'Jews will be arming ourselves'. Pape's surveys have tracked a growing acceptance of using violence to achieve political goals across the political spectrum. A poll he conducted in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League in spring 2023, before the Gaza war began, found that Americans who are highly antisemitic were three times more likely to support violence to achieve political aims than the general population. (The Anti-Defamation League is known for tracking antisemitism, but its methods have come under scrutiny for conflating antisemitism and anti-Zionism.) But the killings also show that the US is a 'tinderbox' and that political violence is a slippery slope, said Pape. People tend to compartmentalize political violence – if there's an act of violence against Jews, it's only a Jewish issue, the thinking goes, he said. But violence tends to beget more violence, and more acceptance of violence. His surveys in 2024 found increasing support for violence against Trump alongside support for violence in favor of Trump, stemming in part from a belief that the electoral and political systems won't address their grievances. 'The more political violence there is against Trump, the more there will be political violence against Democratic leaders like Josh Shapiro,' Pape said. 'The more there's political violence against Josh Shapiro, the more there will be antisemitic political violence. These are not compartmentalized issues.' Meanwhile, it's not only those in the Jewish and Palestinian communities who are being affected, but also those who have taken part in demonstrations associated with the war in Gaza. Police have used force against protesters on campuses and off, seeking to quash the mass movements that have sprung up around the globe. Thousands of students have been arrested, suspended, kicked out of colleges, lost financial aid, had their degrees withheld. Others who were in the US on visas have seen their immigration threatened and face deportation. The killings in Washington will probably lead to further crackdowns by the Trump administration on the pro-Palestinian cause. Pape's most recent survey, earlier this month, showed 39% of Democrats agreed that using force was justified to remove Trump from office and that only 44% of Republicans opposed Trump using the US military to stop protests. 'We can sleepwalk into martial law pretty easily,' Pape warned.
