Latest news with #Israels
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Columbia's Progressive March
Columbia Universitys commencement demonstrates the far left ideology of its faculty, but suggests that for students, much of this is performative. Last week, I attended my nephews graduation from Columbia College, Columbias Ivy League undergraduate division. As an alumnus of the college, as well as of Columbias business and law schools, I found the ceremony and left-leaning speeches familiar. As a conservative, even then, I was often verbally attacked by other students. On successive April Fools days, Columbia Daily Spectator even lampooned me as Kevin Spewak, spokesman for the fictional "Columbia Students in Opulence." Despite Columbias long-time liberal bent, including what we now refer to as "wokeness," its students generally embraced core principles of American exceptionalism, worked hard, and pursued traditional careers. Ironically, given todays problems, one of my classmates, David Friedman, became U.S. ambassador to Israel, and another, Michael Oren, became Israels ambassador to the U.S. When I attended the college, it admitted only men. Women were welcome at the engineering school, and Columbias affiliate, Barnard College. Last year, 51% of Columbias undergraduates were women (63%, including Barnard). Comparable to my class, about 15% of the graduating seniors were foreigners. Unlike my class, 63% of the Americans were minority students. That is a direct result of DEI. At the graduation ceremony, nearly every award was presented to a student pursuing studies in a woke subject, such as sustainable development or African-American studies (neither of which existed when I was a student), and most were engaged in progressive activities, such as interning with Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a hate group that advances Hamas objectives in the United States, or campaigning for tenants rights. The students gave a warm welcome to the colleges dean, Josef Sorett, a professor who focuses on African-American sexual politics and social justice, and who chaired Columbias Inclusive Public Safety Advisory Committee. Sorett was one of four Columbia deans who exchanged disparaging texts about Jews last year during a forum on antisemitism. He defended their prejudice by criticizing publication of their texts as an invasion of privacy. Only in a woke, antisemitic administration would Sorett have retained his job. The universitys acting president, former ABC anchor Claire Shipman did not receive as warm a welcome. A meaningful percentage of the seniors, and some guests, heckled her and broke into chants demanding freedom for Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia graduate student facing deportation for his role as an agent provocateur for Hamas. Shipman responded with humor and grace, and the heckling subsided after a few minutes. Two days later, the Civil Rights Office of the Department of Health and Human Services found Columbia in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by "acting with deliberate indifference towards student-on-student harassment of Jewish students from October 7, 2023, through the present." Still, the substance and brevity of the protest shows both the misguided priorities of students and the performative shallowness of their concerns. Students ended the demonstration so they could receive their diplomas, giving short shrift to Khalil and those who objected to Shipmans bringing in the police to evict pro-Palestinian demonstrators from Butler Library. That pragmatism is consistent with the majors selected by the vast majority of Columbias students. While the awards went to students adopting the progressive mantra, more than 96% of the majors and concentrations selected by seniors fell into traditional disciplines such as history, political science, computer science, math, and literature. Just 70 of 1,708 majors and concentrations were in sustainable development, human rights, ethnicity and race studies, or the like. Relatively few students attended the separate graduation ceremonies for Asian, black, "Lavender" (LGBTQIA+), native, and other "affinity groups." There was little interest in what New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor (best known for her concerns about flags flown by the wives of Supreme Court justices) had to say. On the other hand, while just 4% of Hispanics support the use of "Latinx," that is how they are labeled at Columbia. It also seemed that every student lauded from the stage was a dual major who studied at the "intersection" of something of progressive significance. I had a dual major when I attended Columbia. I didnt realize that made me intersectional. When a university promotes intersectional, oppressor dogma, approves of antisemitic tweets, and bestows praise only on the tiny minority of its students who exemplify progressive ideology, the result is a boot camp for DEI, open borders, social justice for criminals, antisemitism, and a liberal rules-based order. But, a look under the keffiyeh shows that the indoctrination may not endure, and the substantial majority of students of all races and national origins may soon enough refocus on traditional careers and success. For true converts, if they shun violence, the beauty of America is the right of citizens to hold and advocate misguided views. I doubt Columbia credits American exceptionalism for that liberty. Kenin M. Spivak is founder and chairman of SMI Group LLC, an international consulting firm and investment bank. He is the author of fiction and non-fiction books and a frequent speaker and contributor to media, including RealClearPolitics, The American Mind, National Review, television, radio, and podcasts.
Canada Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Israel and Ukraine fighting proxy wars for the West UK Tory leader
Kemi Badenoch has said Kiev is fighting Russia on behalf of Western Europe, and Israels war against Hamas serves Londons interests Israel's military operation against Hamas is a "proxy war" being waged on behalf of the UK, British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed. In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Badenoch commented on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent claim that the UK, France, and Canada are on "the wrong side of humanity" for trying to pressure his country to end its campaign in the Palestinian enclave. She dismissed the widely held belief that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide, arguing that the brutal military campaign, initially against Hamas, that has killed at least 60,000 Palestinians, is both justified and serves the interests of the UK. "Who funds Hamas? Iran - an enemy of this country. Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of the UK," Badenoch claimed. The Ukraine conflict is similarly a proxy war against Russia, being waged on behalf of Western Europe, she added. The Russian Embassy in London later reposted a clip of Badenoch's interview, saying the Conservative leader has "finally called a spade a spade." "Ukraine is indeed fighting a proxy-war against Russia on behalf of Western interests. The illegitimate Kiev regime, created, financed and armed by the West, has been at it since 2014," the embassy wrote on Facebook. Badenoch's own party was responsible for telling the Ukrainians to "keep fighting" when a potential peace settlement was on the verge of being signed in 2022, the statement noted. "The result has been an unmitigated disaster for Ukraine and its people, as well as an unprecedented security crisis in Europe." READ MORE: Ukraine will have to pay for new Patriots WaPo In March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a similar admission when he said the Ukraine conflict is in fact a "proxy war between nuclear powers - the United States, helping Ukraine - and Russia." Moscow has repeatedly described the hostilities as a Western-led proxy war against Russia in which Ukrainians are being used as "cannon fodder." Russian officials have argued that the US and other Western powers intentionally escalated tensions in the region by disregarding Russia's national security concerns over NATO expansion in Eastern Europe and Ukraine's potential admission into the military bloc. Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is currently standing alone against the Collective West and is locked in an "existential war." (
Canada Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Israel and Ukraine fighting proxy wars for the West Tory leader
Kemi Badenoch has said Kiev is fighting Russia on behalf of Western Europe, and Israels war against Hamas serves the interests of the UK Israel's military operation against Hamas is a "proxy war" being waged on behalf of the UK, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed in an interview with Sky News. Badenoch made the remarks on Sunday, commenting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent statement that the UK, France, and Canada are on "the wrong side of humanity" for trying to pressure his country to end its campaign in the Palestinian enclave. The Tory leader dismissed accusations that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide, arguing that it is justified in its fight against Hamas, and that the conflict also serves the interests of the UK. "Who funds Hamas? Iran - an enemy of this country. Israel is fighting a proxy war on behalf of the UK," Badenoch said. She went on to say that the Ukraine conflict is similarly a proxy war against Russia being waged on behalf of Western Europe. The Russian Embassy in London later reposted a clip of Badenoch's interview, saying the Conservative leader has "finally called a spade a spade." "Ukraine is indeed fighting a proxy-war against Russia on behalf of Western interests. The illegitimate Kiev regime, created, financed and armed by the West, has been at it since 2014," the embassy wrote on Facebook. It went on to say that Badenoch's own party was responsible for telling the Ukrainians to "keep fighting" when a potential peace settlement was on the verge of being signed in 2022. "The result has been an unmitigated disaster for Ukraine and its people, as well as an unprecedented security crisis in Europe." READ MORE: Ukraine will have to pay for new Patriots WaPo In March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a similar admission when he said the Ukraine conflict is in fact a "proxy war between nuclear powers - the United States, helping Ukraine - and Russia." Throughout the conflict, Moscow has repeatedly described the hostilities as a Western-led proxy war against Russia in which Ukrainians are being used as "cannon fodder." Russian officials have argued that the US and other Western powers intentionally escalated tensions in the region by disregarding Russia's national security concerns over NATO expansion in Eastern Europe and Ukraine's potential admission into the military bloc. Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said Russia is currently standing alone against the Collective West and is locked in an "existential war." (
Canada Standard
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel over Gaza
The leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened sanctions against Israel if it does not stop a renewed military offensive inGazaand lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The leaders of Britain, France and Canada warned on Monday that their countries would take action if Israel does not stop a renewed military offensive inGazaand lift aid restrictions. The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and earlier on Monday Netanyahu said Israel would take control ofthe whole ofGaza. International experts already have warned of looming famine. "The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," ajoint statementsaid. "We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions." The three governments added they "strongly oppose the expansion of Israels military operations in Gaza", and that the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. France urges EU to reassess Israel trade partnership over Gaza rights abuses In response,Netanyahusaid that "the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on 7October while inviting more such atrocities". He saidIsraelwill defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved, reiterating Israel's conditions to end the war which include the release of the remaining hostages and the demilitarisation of theGazastrip. Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies intoGazasince the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing the hostages the Palestinian militant group took on 7October 2023, when it attacked Israeli communities. "We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate," the three Western leaders said in their joint statement. They said they would not stand by while Netanyahu's government pursued "these egregious actions." TheWestern leaders also stated their support forefforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egyptfor an immediate ceasefire inGaza, and said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict. UN rapporteur says Israel's war in Gaza is 'emptying the land completely' Hamas welcomed the joint statement describing the stance as "an important step" in the right direction toward restoring the principles of international law. Israel's ground and air war has devastatedGaza, displacing nearly all its residents and killing more than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, according toGazahealth authorities. The war began with the 7October 2023, Hamas-led attack in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, including over 690 civilians, and seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. (Reuters) Originally published on RFI
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gaza: UN Anti-Racism Committee Decries Halt To Food Aid, Urges Immediate Humanitarian Access
Press Release – UN Treaty Bodies Invoking its early warning and urgent action procedures, the Committee recalled its 2024 decision, which raised serious concerns regarding Israels obligations under international law to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. GENEVA (9 May 2025) – With food aid supplies now completely exhausted in Gaza and border crossings still sealed, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) today issued an urgent call for immediate humanitarian access and a lasting ceasefire, warning of catastrophic consequences for the civilian population. The Committee, currently convening in Geneva for its latest session, which ends today, issued its statement hours after the World Central Kitchen announced it was forced to shut down its remaining soup kitchens across Gaza due to a lack of food. The World Food Programme previously raised the alarm of the total collapse of food aid operations in the besieged enclave. In late April, the UN food agency announced that all of its food reserves in Gaza had been depleted, and ongoing restrictions at key border crossings had halted the entry of additional supplies. The food exhaustion in Gaza, combined with the widespread destruction or serious damage to water and electricity infrastructure, are 'placing the civilian population—especially vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—at imminent risk of famine, disease, and death,' the Committee said. The Committee also raised grave alarm at the intensification of Israeli military operations across the Gaza Strip since early March, citing indiscriminate bombardments and expanded ground incursions, 'which have dramatically worsened the humanitarian crisis and severely endangered the civilian population.' Invoking its early warning and urgent action procedures, the Committee recalled its 2024 decision, which raised serious concerns regarding Israel's obligations under international law to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It also drew attention to the broader deterioration of conditions across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where patterns of mass displacement and settler violence are increasingly mirroring those in Gaza. The Committee urged the State of Israel to 'lift all barriers to humanitarian access, allow the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, and cease all actions obstructing the provision of essential services to the civilian population in Gaza.' Furthermore, it called on all States parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to fulfil their international obligations by taking immediate and appropriate measures to prevent further escalation of hostility and to ensure the protection of civilians. All States have to 'cooperate to bring an end to the violations that are taking place and to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, including by ceasing any military assistance,' the Committee further urged.
