Latest news with #Jews
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Rep. Ritchie Torres demands investigation of socialist-leaning Park Slope Food Co-op over alleged anti-Israel hate
The Park Slope Food Co-op is cooking up anti-Israel hate — and must be investigated by the city and state, a Bronx congressman urged this week. Rep. Ritchie Torres fired off letters Friday to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and other city and state honchos demanding the state Division of Human Rights and NYC Commission on Human Rights probe allegations of 'an insidious pattern of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination' against Jews — or anyone who is pro-Israel at the crunchy Brooklyn co-op. 'Anti-discrimination laws must be rigorously and impartially enforced — without exception,' the Bronx Democrat wrote Friday. The socialist-leaning Union Street institution has long been locked in a holy war over Middle East politics, highlighted by members in 2012 voting down joining an international boycott of Israel products during a contentious meeting that became ripe for mockery by Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.' But in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, members who support the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement have seized control of the co-op's governance, according to Torres and members sympathetic to Israel. 'The cumulative effect is the creation of a hostile environment for Jews, particularly those who affirm a connection to the Jewish homeland,' wrote Torres, who is mulling a run for governor. Zara Watkins, a co-op member who opposes the BDS movement, said she was menaced and cursed at last Halloween for wearing a costume paying tribute to the Israeli-made product Sabra hummus. One man 'seething with rage' repeatedly circled her while 'muttering' under his breath, and another dropped an F-bomb and gave her the finger over her costume, she recalled. 'It really shook me up,' said the lawyer, adding her complaints to the co-op's 'dispute resolution committee' were blown off. Jewish co-op member Ramon Maislen said he tried to thwart efforts by a pro-boycott campaign, known as the Park Slope Food Co-op Members for Palestine, to take over the PSFC's leadership last year by running for a seat on the co-op's board of directors. Maislen, 43, said he not only lost to the pro-BDS faction, but was verbally abused by Israel-hating members on many occasions despite trying to broker a peaceful solution. He and other members said they fear it's only a matter of time before the new leadership institutes a boycott on Israel products, without having members vote on it. 'We feel let down by the co-op's leadership, which has done nothing to fester out the hatred that has been simmering,' said Maislen, who heads a political action committee called 'Brooklyn BridgeBuilders' that has raised more than $56,000 to help defeat anti-Israel Park Slope Councilwoman Shahana Hanif in the June 24 Democratic primary. The real estate developer filed his own complaint with the state Human Rights Division in October over alleged harassment against members opposing the campaign to boycott Israeli products. The harassment allegedly included pro-BDS members spewing Nazi slogans at Jews and sneering they 'smell of Palestinian blood.' The complaint is still pending. Reps for Park Slope Food Co-op Members for Palestine could not be reached for comment, but they wrote in an open letter that they back a boycott on Israel-made products to ensure the co-op is 'not supporting an apartheid government and unfolding genocide.' Joe Holtz, co-founder of the food co-op, said the PSFC 'is against discrimination of any kind' and declined further comment. The co-op, founded in 1973, requires its 16,000-plus members to work 2.75-hour shifts every six weeks, in exchange for the privilege of purchasing heavily discounted groceries and voting on store policies. The city intends to review 'the troubling events at the co-op' and will respond to Torres 'with more information,' said mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari. 'Mayor Adams has been clear that far too often we see antisemitic propaganda masquerading as activism, and it has led to an unacceptable rise in antisemitism throughout our city and country,' said Askari. 'This is on full display in incidents at the Park Slope Food Co-op — where Jewish people are being harassed simply for being Jewish.' Hochul spokesperson Matthew Janiszewski said the governor has a long history of taking 'aggressive action to fight antisemitism in New York,' but he added the office cannot comment on pending investigations before the Division of Human Rights.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Several Jewish institutions in Paris sprayed with green paint
A man walking past the Grande Synagogue des Tournelles, after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, on May 31. PHOTO: REUTERS PARIS - Five Jewish institutions were sprayed with green paint in Paris overnight and an investigation has been opened, a police source said on May 31. Police found the paint damage early on May 31 on the Shoah Memorial, which is the Holocaust museum in Paris, three synagogues and a restaurant in the historic Jewish neighbourhood of Le Marais, the source said. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on X that he was disgusted by these "despicable acts targeting the Jewish community". It was not yet known who committed the damage, or why. The Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on details of the incidents. France has seen a rise in hate crimes: in 2024, police recorded an 11 per cent rise in racist, xenophobic or anti-religious crimes, according to official data published in March. The figures did not break down the attacks on different religions. REUTERS A man looking at 'The Wall of the Righteous' - honouring people who saved Jews during the Nazi occupation of France - after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, on May 31. PHOTO: REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Several Paris Jewish institutions sprayed with green paint
A gerneral view of the Agoudas Hakehilos synagogue, after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, May 31, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor A man looks at 'The Wall of the Righteous' which honours people who saved Jews during the Nazi occupation of France, after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, May 31, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor A gerneral view of 'The Wall of the Righteous' which honours people who saved Jews during the Nazi occupation of France, after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, May 31, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor A gerneral view of the Agoudas Hakehilos synagogue, after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, May 31, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor A general view of the Grande Synagogue des Tournelles, after it was covered in green paint, in Paris, France, May 31, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor PARIS - Five Jewish institutions were sprayed with green paint in Paris overnight and an investigation has been opened, a police source said on Saturday. Police found the paint damage early on Saturday on the Shoah Memorial, which is the Holocaust museum in Paris, three synagogues and a restaurant in the historic Jewish neighbourhood of Le Marais, the source said. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on X that he was disgusted by these "despicable acts targetting the Jewish community". It was not yet known who committed the damage, or why. The Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on details of the incidents. France has seen a rise in hate crimes: last year police recorded an 11% rise in racist, xenophobic or antireligious crimes, according to official data published in March. The figures did not break down the attacks on different religions. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC's cyclist crime and more: Letters to the Editor — June 1, 2025
Stop cyclist crime The bikes are totally out of control in New York City today ('E-bike danger an e-emergency,' May 29). The bike lanes next to the curb are borderline unsafe. Bikers ride at extreme speeds using gasoline and electric motors, while being oblivious to pedestrians and any traffic laws whatsoever. How many times must one see them riding on the sidewalk? Or going the wrong way on a one-way street? Riding against traffic? Running full stop signs and red lights? Advertisement How many vehicular accidents have they caused and just kept going? How many pedestrians have they injured or killed with no consequences? They think they can do anything they want with zero consequences from the NYPD because elected officials protect them. Every type of bike should be licensed, registered and insured. Peter Janosik, Philadelphia, Pa. Trump's triumphs President Trump opened the Overton Window wide and let fresh air chase away the stale ideas of the left ('End of the Woke Road,' Rich Lowry, PostOpinion, May 28). Advertisement Democrats imposed pronouns, equity for 'oppressed' people regardless of personal effort, political favor based on skin color and — perhaps the foulest idea of all — intersectionality. The woke destroyed many schools, from elementary to universities, with mephitic ideas. They reduced heroes' statues to rubble, rewrote our history and tried to transform our country into Nazi Germany for Jews. No matter what others think of his presidency, Trump has engineered a great victory for America. Advertisement Paul Bloustein, Cincinnati, Ohio Not all migrants While I have no problem with sending violent criminal migrants back to Venezuela, I find it cold-hearted and foolish to now be sending back the exceptional ones ('Ire at ICE detain of migrant student,' May 28). Under a Biden-era entry program, this boy was legally here and on track to become a productive member of society. He was in high school, working part-time to help support his mother and siblings and showing up to his immigration hearings. The government changed the rules, and he is now locked up. The old bait-and-switch is for catching rats, and not all immigrants are rats. Advertisement Donathan Salkaln, Manhattan Democratic doom One of the great things about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez running against Sen. Chuck Schumer in a Democratic primary is that we can get rid of one of them ('Schu're in big trouble,' May 26). Schumer has become an increasingly pathetic political figure over the last few years. As a Jew, his silence over pro-Hamas activists threatening Jewish students at many levels is an embarrassing example of political cowardice. His 'we're moving forward' responses to questions about his role in covering up former President Joe Biden's mental capacity is insulting to the intelligence of Americans. If AOC wins, we're still stuck with an elitist phony whose concern for her constituents is a disgrace. Regardless, one is better than two. Robert DiNardo, Farmingdale Fugitive found You can run, but you can't hide (' 'Cop stomper,' busted,' May 28). The coward who beat up an NYPD officer was nabbed in Virginia. Will his mommy and family friend be charged with harboring a fugitive? The feds should give them a look. Advertisement Mike Lapinga, Staten Island Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
The Courier
7 hours ago
- The Courier
Hate crime declared as 'disgusting' antisemitic graffiti appears in Dundee city centre
'Sinister' antisemitic graffiti written on a Dundee city centre poster is being treated as a hate crime. The vandalism was discovered on Tuesday May 20 in the Arctic Pend tunnel, which connects New Inn Entry to the High Street and gives access to the Keiller Centre. Vandals targeted a poster, which has the message 'It can't be terrible forever' written on it. Beneath the message they had written: 'Only kicking out the Jews will make things better.' The bottom part of the poster containing the message has now been ripped off. Police say they are treating the incident as a hate crime. Cllr Fraser Macpherson, the Lib Dem group leader on Dundee City Council, said 'Dundee has always been an inclusive city, welcoming to all, and Dundonians will agree with me that any racist and antisemitic graffiti is disgusting and totally unacceptable.' He added: 'It is a criminal offence and a hate crime and Police Scotland moved fast to put out an appeal for anyone who witnessed this taking place to contact them. 'I have raised this dreadful graffiti with the council's environment management to ensure it gets removed.' Mayfield councillor Lynne Short (SNP) said: 'There has been a proliferation of graffiti appearing in the city centre recently. 'Most of it is senseless and mindless. 'But this one is disgusting. 'We shouldn't be in a situation where any race, creed or colour should be brought into anything – least of all, street graffiti.' 'This is not mindless graffiti, or people just passing the time of day. 'This is more sinister. 'It's targeted and it is not right.' Police have appealed for witnesses to the vandalism to come forward. PC Rebecca Cantwell from the city centre policing team said: 'Due to the nature of this graffiti, we are treating this act as a hate crime. 'Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us.' Police have urged anyone with any information to contact 101 and to quote incident number CR/0211555/25. Members of the public can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
